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granite counters installation questions

12 years ago

When your granite was installed, did the installers drill holes for the faucets while the granite was inside your house? A friend got me worried about the potential for the release of radioactive uranium particles when the granite is cut on site. Is this a concern? Will installers do drilling and such outside if we ask?

Comments (8)

sombreuil_mongrel
12 years ago
Your friend is a alarmist nitwit. Quote me. No "uranium".
That said, I don't like any fabrication processes to take place indoors and release the stone dust, which always gets where it oughtn't.
Casey
mpmg46
12 years ago
Ours drilled 3 holes in our granite last week, but they had a hose hooked up to the tool, and the dust went right into the shop vac type of thing. They wiped the counters and under the sink off afterwards, and I did so again when they left, just b/c I wanted my new counters to be clean, but there wasn't much for me to wipe. I would ask what their process is, so you don't have dust everywhere, but I don't know that I'd worry beyond that.
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badgergal
12 years ago
All the holes in my granite were cut by machine at the fabricators shop prior to the granite being installed at my house. They used the specs for faucets, air switch, soap dispenser, sink and cooktop to cut those areas. Everything fit perfectly. I know that others on this forum have had holes drilled after the granite was installed in their homes. The installers usually use a vacuum to collect most of the dust as they drill.
Bunny
12 years ago
Mine were drilled in my kitchen. It wasn't a big deal.
Cloud Swift
12 years ago
Mine were drilled in my kitchen. One worker held a vacuum hose near the drill bit and there wasn't any noticeable dust that escaped. If the very small amount of granite dust that isn't sucked up was a uranium issue, then having whole slabs of the granite in your kitchen would be a concern.
joaniepoanie
12 years ago
Mine were drilled on site. I have a small galley and between the fabricator guys and regular work crew helping out, I just poked my head in a few times...I don't recall any dust problems...
breezygirl
12 years ago
Uranium? Never heard that one.

My holes were drilled on site, despite my concerns about stone dust landing in and ruining my drawer glides. One drilled, while the other sprayed water with one hand and held a vacuum up to capture dust with the other.
cat_mom
12 years ago
One bit of advice that we learned here; if you have any drawers under the counter that will be cut or drilled, remove the drawer(s) and cover the glides well using painters tape and plastic wrap (we layered them to provide a good seal against any granite dust). With the exception of the space directly below where they cut, there really was little if any dust anywhere else.

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