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Granite Staining questions

4 years ago

Hello! We recently had our kitchen renovated and granite countertops installed. the granite company says they sealed it however, when I’m doing dishes and water splatters on to the countertops, a dark gray water stain appears. It does eventually go back to ‘normal’ but would you be alarmed? I’m afraid when my kid spills juice or something not clear. Does this mean they did not properly seal it? (See pictures)

Featured Answer

M Miller

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Judging from your photo, which appears to show garnet inclusions, you have Kashmir White granite or one of its relatives. Unfortunately, Kashmir White does not behave like most granites. It behaves more like marble. We often caution people on this forum not to choose Kashmir White granite because it stains easily like marble. It's not that the fabricator did not seal it properly; it's just that with this granite, you will need to seal it with a couple more coats. The only thing "improper" the stone company did is not to warn you about this stone. Almost all other granites are easy care.

You can buy 511 Sealant at Home Depot. Buy the smallest size bottle cause it lasts forever. It is easy to apply - just wipe on in the thinnest layer possible. Wipe up excess. Wait a few days, apply another layer. I am sorry you chose this granite; most granites are easy-care, but Kashmir White is different.

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Comments (13)

User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
So, seal it. It’s no big deal. It’s often left off of the service for some budget fabricators.
maryespicer thanked User
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“after 10 responses no one has given their opinion on what percentage of discount would be the norm for this kind of flaw.” That’s because there is no “norm“ for this. Perhaps you think this sort of thing happens commonly so there’d be some relatable experience and consensus about what percentage discount you should get. But your situation does not happen commonly; actually it’s rare. Typically when people have problems with their fabricator, it’s about seam placement, vein direction, the overhang, the joints. And on the rare occasions I’ve seen people report flaws in their stone, I’ve never seen one that is a mesh imprint—and I’ve been a regular on this forum for years. The more common response I‘ve seen here would be “I’ve spent thousands on this counter, this is my dream kitchen, and I am not marring my kitchen with this. It needs to be replaced”. You have made it clear you want the discount instead. You will have to figure out your own discount percentage then, as there is no “industry norm” as you put it, and no one has “comps” for you.
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M Miller
4 years ago
Thread called Kashmir White Staining and Upkeep
maryespicer
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for the info. Yes, we were not told anything about this granite being anything different than your typical indestructible granite. Bummer. the installers said they were going to seal it. It’s called aspen white granite But sounds similar time the kashmir
M Miller
4 years ago
If your first OP photo is accurate, that is not Aspen White. Aspen White does not have garnet inclusions, but Kashmir White does. Your second photo is hard to see what the granite actually looks like.
PRO
Granite City Services
4 years ago
I am a fabricator. Additional applications of sealer should help. There are much more expensive sealers designed for more porous stones that would work better but 1st try some additional applications of whatever the fabricator used. The fabricator should give you sealer.
maryespicer
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you so much for the input!
maryespicer
Original Author
4 years ago
M Miller - it’s not really garnet, but more of a purple. We went to two local fabricators who had slabs of aspen white - it looks different than when I google aspen white but two different fabricators had white/gray slabs with purple specks
maryespicer
Original Author
4 years ago
Granite up close
User
4 years ago
The purple red are garnets. It’s a hallmark of Kashmir White. So is porosity.
AMS
4 years ago
Beautiful stone! A relative recently had this granite installed and had the same issue. She waited until it dried out, then sealed it again, and again a few days later, and the problem is resolved.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Kashmir White is nearly unsuitable as a countertop material. Sealed or not.
bacino
4 years ago
I put River White granite in my kitchen over 8 years ago. I believe it is the same or very closely related to Kashmir White. I seal it once a year with Maximum Bullet Proof sealer by DuPont. I NEVER clean it with anything other than a very dilute solution of Dawn dish soap. After sealing test it to make sure water beads up on it. It looks as beautiful today as it did the day it was installed. No stains, dark spots. I am careful with it though and wipe up spills ASAP. If I had read all of the problems people have experienced with it before installation I would probably not have chosen it but I’m very glad I did.

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