Are fissures on granite countertops a problem?
So, fissures will not of themselves impair or affect the performance or integrity of the stone and are not a worry regarding granite countertop hygiene. Fissures are not a problem... unless they crack. A crack represents a physical separation of the stone.
Is a large tactile fissure in granite a major defect?
There are hundreds of other fissures in my granite that I think are beautiful but the large tactile one is way beyond a coloration, seam, pitting or inclusion issue; I consider it to be a major defect. Coincidentally, I'm meeting with the owners of the company at my house tonight to see if they are interested in doing something about it. Like | 7
Can you feel a fissure in a stone?
The stone is still contiguous along a fissure. In other words, there is no separation within a fissure. You may be able to feel the fissure and you can see them, but if the surface is finished correctly there should not be any gap or depression or canal of any significant depth.
Is it true that they repair broken granite all the time?
The new installer who did the granite repair 'disclosed the fact they repair granite all the time and most customers never notice' in the context of bragging that the repair would be so good the crack would be undetectable because he repairs broken granite all the time. Guess what - it still looks like a crack hahahaha!! Whatever.
Are fissures normal in granite?
Fissures are rather common in granite, but some samples of granite have more fissures than others. So, if you notice a fissure in a certain area, it is likely that there are other areas with fissures as well. Depending on the lighting in your home, some fissures may stand out more than others.
How do you fix a granite fissure?
Repairing your Stone. Fissure and Chip Repairs: You want to use a clear resin, epoxy, or acrylic adhesive for repairing small cracks and fissures. In the Countertop Stone Repair section of our store you will find recommended products such as Lamlock Infiltrating Epoxy, LiquiGlass, and Tenax Tefill Kit.
Are hairline cracks in granite normal?
Sometimes a hairline crack may develop or occur during installation. Even with the best care, this can happen as granite is very heavy, rigid, and difficult to maneuver. But if the crack is not separated and does not have a lip, then it is usually not a problem.
What is the difference between a crack and a fissure in granite?
A crack is a broken piece of countertop that is most of the time, chipped, uneven, and widely separated and is usually the result of man-made stresses. On the other hand, a fissure is a part of the stone that resembles a crack, yet it is a result of natural geological formation or mineral crystallization.
What causes fissures in granite?
A fissure is defined in the granite industry as a "visible separation along intercrystalline boundaries or the voids between mineral crystals.” They develop during the repeated cycles of heating and cooling during the stone's formation. Fissures should not be confused with cracks.
Can cracks in granite be repaired?
Granite cracks are repaired using clear acrylic or epoxy that fills in the crack and seals it against dirt and spills. If the crack is large, the filler may be tinted to match the color of the stone.
How do you seal hairline cracks in granite?
Cracks and Breaks on granite can't really be fixed, what can actually be done is filling the cracks with epoxy or acrylic so that they don't show. If it's a broken piece of granite you want to mend, again, epoxy can be used to glue it together.
What is a fissure crack?
Skin fissures are cracks in the skin that form due to intense dryness and thickened skin. Fissures can be shallow or deep, and they may bleed or be painful. In addition to being uncomfortable, fissures can be a precursor to skin ulcers. For this reason, treating skin fissures before they worsen is important.
Will a hot pan crack granite?
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Do granite countertops have imperfections?
While natural stone is famed for its distinctive beauty, imperfections in granite countertops and other stone surfaces can be a concern for some. For instance, prospective stone buyers might worry that the “flaws” in natural stone could take away from the unity and elegance of their design.
Can you feel a fissure in quartzite?
So...of course my quartzite has fissures. It is mostly smooth, but the bigger and blacker the line is, the more you can feel the fissure. In one place, the granite installer put a steel pole under the rock 'just in case' as the fissure was pretty big and you could feel it in the stone.
What is a fissure in stone?
A fissure is a naturally occurring characteristic of stone, which can be weak points and can crack open, but usually do not. The stone is still contiguous along a fissure. In other words, there is no separation within a fissure.
Can bacteria grow on granite?
Bacteria is simply not an issue with granite countertops. You may not know, but independent testing shows that granite, quartz and stainless steel surfaces all perform nearly the same and are the most resistant to bacterial growth of all possible surfaces.
Is it normal to have a slab of granite?
Granite countertop slabs with a poor finish like this do exist, but no it is not "normal" for them to actually be installed. Unfortunately, it sounds like you got a bad slab and likely a shady fabricator.
Can you put resin on stone?
It is common and perfectly acceptable to apply a resin to stone to fill voids and fissures prior to polishing and shipping from the "factory" and this may have been done to your stone. You may be able to do this again, but the resin must be able to absorb into the stone, so no sealer should be applied prior.
Is it normal for granite to be rough?
they just fall apart, etc. Same with bad granite... won't take a polish or polishes very poorly and can be gritty, rough or heavily pitted.
Can granite countertops kill bacteria?
Of course, no matter how much cleaning and disinfecting you do, you cannot remove or kill all bacteria, but granite countertops do not "harbor" bacteria at all, and the nature of the surface makes it very difficult for dangerous bacterial growth.
What Causes Fissures
A crack is created by accident, usually as a granite slab is being polished or transported to a different location. Fissures are not caused by these same conditions because they take on these characteristics as they are developing underground.
Filling a Granite Crack
One of the biggest problems with cracks in granite is that it ruins the protective seal against bacteria. If a fissure becomes a crack, the empty area can fill with all types of loose debris and make it easier for bacteria to thrive.
Why does granite crack?
What Causes Granite to Crack. Natural fissures, weight, unsupported overhangs, hard hits, hot pots, shims not placed properly, and bad quality stone can cause granite to crack. Let's break this down even further and understand a few of the most common reasons for granite to crack.
Why is granite not indestructible?
This is caused by the blow of the heavy object. Granite is a rock so it is not indestructible. Carried Flat - Granite should never be carried flat for any reason. This can cause injury to anyone carrying or damage to floors or furniture. This can also cause a hairline granite crack that can later pose a problem.
What are natural cracks in granite?
Natural Granite Fissures - Granite is known to have natural fissure cracks which can eventually turn into actual cracks in your granite that you don't really have to worry about unless it is in an affected area as mentioned above. Natural fissures give granite character and normally you do not have to worry about these natural cracks. Your fabricator should have already noticed them and made sure they are not in any sensitive areas such as sink cut out, cooktop cut out, or seams.
What happens if you shim your granite?
If a shim is used to support and done improperly it will cause the granite to crack in your sink area. Be sure to check and make sure that it is properly shimmed and if you have to email me ...
Why do you shim a kitchen cutout?
Areas like a sink cut out, seam or joints, and cooktop cutouts should be shimmed to ensure that they are not going to be cracked due to any weight in that area. Be sure to look eye-level with your countertops so that you can see underneath and notice any areas that are not touching the cabinet.
What is granite slab?
Granite is a rock that has been cut down into flat sheets also known as slabs which allow it to be cut and fabricated to what we all know as granite countertops. Most of the time a crack in your granite is not really something to worry about but can pose a problem.
Do natural fissures give granite character?
Natural fissures give granite character and normally you do not have to worry about these natural cracks. Your fabricator should have already noticed them and made sure they are not in any sensitive areas such as sink cut out, cooktop cut out, or seams.
When was the last update on natural stone?
Last updated on July 06, 2021. An ongoing issue in the natural stone industry is the difference between the customer’s expectation of the appearance of their countertops, and the surface texture irregularities that are inherent to natural stone surfaces.
What are the characteristics of natural stones?
All natural stones have a granular, crystalline structure, with an array of colors which are determined by the stone's particular mineral content, i.e., the quantity of quartz, various types of mica and feldspar minerals, which all affect the final color. Pitting is an intrinsic feature and part of the unique characteristics that make up each natural stone, and it bears repeating that their presence in no way impairs its durability or appearance. Additionally, they are not an indication of the stone’s porosity or staining issues.
What is pitting in stone?
Pitting is an intrinsic feature and part of the unique characteristics that make up each natural stone, and it bears repeating that their presence in no way impairs its durability or appearance. Additionally, they are not an indication of the stone’s porosity or staining issues. The visibility of pits on the surface of the stone depends for ...
Is fissured rock a structural defect?
All homeowners should be aware that they are in no way a structural defect. When any natural stone is polished, pitting and fissuring will inevitably occur. Also, due to the cooling and heating of the rock, after it has been formed, these fissures can be more or less obvious than others, but they are rarely completely absent.
Can natural stone be seen on a windowsill?
Many granite and marble countertop owners have had natural stone countertops for many years and have never noticed the presence of them. Pitting and fissures can be most visible where the natural stone receives more light such as a windowsill. These are typically viewed at a lower angle and with a stronger backlight.
What is a fissure in granite?
A fissure is defined in the granite industry as a "visible separation along intercrystalline boundaries or the voids between mineral crystals.”. They develop during the repeated cycles of heating and cooling during the stone's formation. Fissures should not be confused with cracks.
What does a fissure look like?
Fissures look like small, hairline cracks in the polished surface of the slab. Fissures are most clearly visible in granite varieties that display large crystals like Verde Butterfly, Delicatus Gold or Marron Cohiba.
What is a crack in a slab?
Fissures appear on the polished surface of a slab. A crack is a physical separation in a slab. Cracks can happen when the stone is quarried or during handling, fabrication, transport, or even by the force of structural stress after installation. "Watermarks” appear to be areas dullness on the surface of certain colors.
Can granite be polished?
The composition of some granite and marble contain surface deposits of softer minerals that cannot be polished to a high gloss. The visibility of pits, fissures and dull spots can be magnified by the lighting conditions of a room. Low angle lighting such as sunlight spilling onto a countertop through a kitchen window or under-the-cabinet lighting ...
Can a counter top handle pressure?
Any counter top should be able to handle light pressure. I seriously believe if I put a pot of soup or a stack of pans in same area this would have resulted in the same manner. A properly installed counter should be able to support this amount of gentle stress without totally breaking.
Is adhesive stronger than natural stone?
The adhesive joints will be stronger than the natural stone. Please save every piece, no matter how small. Someone could have been seriously injured or killed from that failure. Make an insurance claim and your homeowner's insurance will subrogate the claim to your fabricator's insurance company, please.
Does granite repair all the time?
The new installer who did the granite repair 'disclosed the fact they repair granite all the time and most customers never notice' in the context of bragging that the repair would be so good the crack would be undetectable because he repairs broken granite all the time.