Granite Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
- Can you give me a quotation over the telephone?
- Will you provide stone samples for me to take away?
- Will you visit us to make templates?
- Do you supply sinks & hobs?
- Can I cut and prepare directly on the worktops?
- Can I place hot pans on the granite
- Do you fit a sub-base of MDF to the tops of the units to support 20mm tops
- Does this sub-base help with fitting the granite or marble?
- Can tiling take place before fitting of the tops?
- Should all fittings be on-site at the time of the templating?
- Do I need to be present during your templating operation?
- Can my wall/cupboard units be fitted in the meantime?
- Are the joints apparent?
- Where do you put these joints?
- Will you plumb-in my sink/basin?
- How do you recommend I fix the sink/bowl?
- Will you connect my hob?
- Should I be present when the tops are installed?
- Can a stone top be repaired if damaged?
- Could I add to my worktops later?
- How do I clean granite worktops
- What can stain granite
- What can harm granite
- Can chipped granite be repaired
- How do I order and what happens next
- Is paying by credit card safe?
Answers
Can you give me a quotation over the telephone?
Possibly but we would strongly prefer a sized sketch scanned, faxed or posted so that we all agree on exactly what was quoted on.
Will you provide stone samples for me to take away?
Yes available at £10 each, the first is refundable against an order
Will you visit us to make templates?
Yes
Do you supply sinks & hobs?
Yes sinks are available from our website www.kitchen-sinks-taps.co.uk appliances are available offline
Can I cut and prepare directly on the worktops?
Cutting foods on the stone worktops should not scratch the granite but will blunt your knives quickly! To be safe use a separate chopping board.
Can I place hot pans on the granite
Hot saucepans can be placed on your granite surfaces without fear of damage.
Do you fit a sub-base of MDF to the tops of the units to support 20mm tops
No, please ask your fitter to do this before templating
Does this sub-base help with fitting the granite or marble?
Yes, it provides a stronger support
Can tiling take place before fitting of the tops?
No, please leave until the stone tops are in place
Should all fittings be on-site at the time of the templating?
Yes please, most important
Do I need to be present during your templating operation?
Yes please, to help with any queries that we may have
Can my wall/cupboard units be fitted in the meantime?
No, it's best to leave them until after your worktops are fitted
Are the joints apparent?
Yes, although we take to colour code and flush fit as possible
Where do you put these joints?
We try to position them as unobtrusively as possible
Will you plumb-in my sink/basin?
Sorry, over to your plumber for this one
How do you recommend I fix the sink/bowl?
These may be fixed by screwing into the granite or preferably by mounting the sink in MDF
Will you connect my hob?
Sorry, please talk to your electrician
Should I be present when the tops are installed?
Yes please. At least at the end to approve them
Can a stone top be repaired if damaged?
To a point. Filling & joining can take place but scratches on the face are difficult to remove
Could I add to my worktops later?
Yes although precise colour matching could be a problem
How do I clean granite worktops
Regularly clean your surfaces with a damp cloth. Dry-off worktops to avoid dull patches appearing where hard water and soap residues may have been left behind during daily use. A light neutral (PH7) detergent may be safely added.
Avoid the use of abrasive cleaners or scour pads. A spray cleaner, which can be applied to surfaces to clean and maintain the surface shine
What can stain granite
Granite, and particularly marble, are porous materials even when the surfaces and edges have been polished. The stone is treated before leaving the factory to help resist staining. Therefore be careful of acidic and spirit based products such as wine, fruits and perfume. Care should also be taken with oil based products such as olive and cooking oils as these may stain if allowed to soak into the worktop. Should spillage occur, wipe off as soon as possible.
What can harm granite
Worktops should not be brought into contact with strong acids or chemicals including paint stripper, brush cleaner, oven cleaner, nail varnish remover, degreasant or similar products.
Can chipped granite be repaired
Yes to a degree though surface scratches can be difficult to remove.
How do I order and what happens next
Click link to our Granite Calculator.
Is paying by credit card safe?
Please see the following article copied from a UK Consumer Protection site:
"How are you going to pay for the goods or service?
It may be worth paying by credit card, especially if the goods or service you are buying is worth over £100 but no more than £30,000 and the credit limit on your card is no more than £25,000. The effect of using a credit card is that card issuer may be jointly liable with the supplier if you discover problems with goods or services purchased with the credit card. You may therefore wish to take the problem up with the credit card company. This may also help if you have purchased goods abroad. (If the goods prove to be faulty or are not delivered, for example, it is easier to claim against the credit card company in the UK than against the supplier through a foreign court.)
For further information, refer to the fact sheet Your rights - bought on credit?
If you have to pay a deposit, try and keep it as low as possible and check if it is refundable.
Remember that the goods or services may come with a guarantee or warranty.
