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Concrete Countertops Cost

Unlike other options, the cost of a concrete countertop is not in the material, but rather in the artisan’s skill and creativity. See how concrete countertops compare to traditional countertop materials in other ways. Concrete can be a quite affordable option, especially left its natural color with a basic layout. Often you can benefit the environment and save money by doing business with a contractor who uses recycled waste materials or materials harvested or produced near your home, such as aggregate from a local river or quarry and cement produced in a regional plant. This not only conserves materials and eliminates waste, it saves you the expense and hassle of ripping out worn, outdated countertops. Custom elements such as inlays, aggregates, or special finishes add considerable cost. Typically, concrete is more expensive than tile, synthetic solids or laminate, about the same price as engineered quartz or granite countertops and less expensive than marble. However, many people find themselves drawn to concrete because of the customization factor and decide that getting exactly what they want is worth the investment. Precast counters are extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver, and pouring in place requires knowledge of the proper mix, curing and finishing processes, as well as specialized tools and equipment.

How To Remove Soap Scum On Granite and Marble by countertopspecialty.com

Standard surface cleaners won’t work and most commonly known bath & shower cleaners (including ammonia) are too harsh for use on natural stone. Keep soap scum from building up and you’ll also reduce the chance for developing mold, mildew, and dirty grout. Ingredients in standard, brand-name shower cleaners will etch marble and travertine as well. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the surface it won’t be so difficult to keep soap scum from developing in the future with frequent light use of this product. Soap scum and marble etching can sometimes be difficult to distinguish. To correctly diagnose which you have, scratch with a fingernail or other soft/plastic scraper. I did not put a drain board under the dish drain, thinking granite could not be damaged. Both can form a whitish type film that can be very tenacious and can’t be removed with general methods for cleaning granite countertops. You’ll have to use a specialty stone cleaner, but fortunately the same granite cleaner will take care of both soap scum and/or hard water. Granite is certainly one of, if not the hardest to damage, but it can occur.

Removing Stains From Granite Countertops | Duration 5 Minutes 51 Seconds However , a sealer will help prevent absorption and staining that sometimes can occur with prolonged hard water deposit exposure. She was probably only doing what many others in the cleaning industry have erroneously learned to do. It’s a physical part of the marble itself created by grinding and smoothing until glossy. It’ll quickly remove soap and hard water films and keep your tile clean. So, using stone-specific cleaners is the safest way to maintain your natural stone countertops and tile in top condition. This mix is often recommended as a cheap and easy method for cleaning marble and natural stone. At this point, “general” stone or marble cleaners will not be potent enough to remove soap scum, which leaves homeowners wondering what the heck is happening. The problem occurs when regularly using soap as the cleaner over the entire countertop. Spray it on and let it soak for 10-15 minutes into the on the soap scum or hard water deposits. You should be able to scrape off heavier buildup of soap scum or hard water deposits. Is this because the installer did not properly seal the granite countertops? You should also perform the water test for sealing granite countertops to see if it might be time to re-seal your granite. Sealing will not prevent the build-up of soap scum or hard water deposits since these occur on the surface of the stone. Is there any way to remove this dull, waxy finish and bring it back to its original shine? Waxes and other topical coatings (that are essentially permanent or require stripping to remove should not be applied to natural stone surfaces and especially not flooring. Marble etching or discoloration require solutions beyond stripping wax off the marble flooring.