Granite

Customize your Granite Counter Tops with matching switch plates cut from your stone or pre-made acrylic colors.

Certification

ESC is now an Ice Stone (Recycled Glass) Certified Fabricator.  Stop in to see our Ice Stone Product Line.

Radon Information

 What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas in the environment.  It is in the air we breath, both outside and indoors.  It is in the water we drink.  It is in the dirt and rock we stand on.  Radium, which is produced by decaying matter, is the source of radon gas.  This is present in many building materials such as concrete, brick, gypsum, and natural stone.  It is commonly found in basements of homes built in the east and midwest.  Soil is the primary source of radon gas.  Radon is radioactive.  Prolonged exposure to high concentrations can cause increased health risks.  The EPA has set safe levels for indoor area quailty, an action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi L).  The average radon levels in an United States home is 1.3 pCi L.  The long term goal of the United States government is that indoor radon levels to be no more than outdoor levels of 0.4 pCi L.  The most effective remedy for radon in your home is increased ventilation, especially in enclosed areas.

Radon and Natural Stone Counter Tops?

Graph from Environmental Health and Engineering, "Natural Stone Countertops and Radon".
http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/countertops_radon_wp.pdf

Average radon emissions from natural stone is approximately:
- 300 times lower than levels of radon in outdoor air
- 1,000 times below the average concentration of radon found in U.S. homes
- 3,000 times less than the action level for indoor air recommended by the EPA 

Natural stone counter tops are a popular throughout the United States.  A variety type of stones are used ranging from granite to marble.  All natural stones are composed of several major minerals, a minor one being Radium.  As discussed above, radon is produce from radium.

Several scientific studies have found that it is extremely unlikely to have harmful levels of radon emitted from natural stone counter tops. 

A wonderful source of information on Radon and Granite:
http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/granite_radoninfo.cfm

Sealing Your Stone.

We get a lot of questions about how often you should seal your stone.  There are a lot of different source and a lot of different ideas on the subject.  The big misconception is that you need to reseal your tops every 6 months, but this is usually not the case.  The product we use in our shop lasts for 5 to 15 years.  It also depends on the material that is being used.  Sealer on darker stones has a longer life span than lighter colored stones.

When in doubt, this is how to test if your tops need to be sealed:
- Sprinkled a couple of drops of water on your top.  They should bead up on the surface.
- Let it sit for a 2-3 minutes.  And wipe off.
- If a dark spot is left where the water was, you need to reseal your tops.

To reseal your tops, you can have them professionally resealed by the company who fabricated your counter tops.  Or you can purchase sealer from your local hardware store and follow the directions.  Hardware store products do not last as long as the professional grade used by fabricators.

In the Stone Business, You Get What You Pay For!!

In the March 2010 issue of "Stone Business" magazine, there was an interesting article titled "Hard Lessons" by Tom McNall.  In summary, a stone company had won the low bid for a high end condo kitchen by using inferior material.  Once installed the customer was having problems with the tops.  Every time water was applied to the tops they turned gray.  The stone company said the tops needed to be sealed, there was to much wax on the tops or the water treatment facility was using to much chlorine.  So the company sent out a specialist (the author of this article).  As he suspected, none of the above was true.  The stone company had masqueraded Gray Absolute granite, a cheaper and lower quality stone, as Black Absolute.  There was nothing to fix the color except replace the tops.  One of the most important points the author wanted the reader to take with them is "in the stone business, you get what you pay for!  I can't count the number of stories on installation failures that all begin with the same phrase:  I got a really good deal on this stone." 

This article made us want to take a moment and explain the Stone Soundness Classifications.  So next time the deal looks to good to be true, you'll have the knowledge to know if it is.

Group A consists of stone with uniform and favorable working qualities.  They contain no geological flaws or voids.  This group does not require surface work, filling, or patching.  These stones work well in exterior and interior applications.

Group B is similar to group A but all the impurities, such as clay or silt, have not changed into other minerals.  Small holes and voids are to be expected and are a characteristic of this group.  These holes and voids are usually filled with Epoxy or polyester resin.  The filling should be undetectable and "glass" smooth.  Group B can be used for interior or exterior applications.

Group C have some variations in working qualities.  Geological flaws, voids, veins, and lines of separation are common.  This group consists of some of the most colorful stones.  The holes and structural flaws are usually so significant that is standard practice to repair them with using reinforcing, liners, filling with resin or cement, fabricating corners or missing parts with terrazzo and resin, and all other work to hold the stone together to yield a finished product.  On completion most of the repairs are visible and apparent.  These stone are not suitable for exterior use.

Group D is similar to group C but containing a larger portion of natural faults.  The same finishing as group C is required.  Only a few stone carry this designation.  It is reserved for very laborious Group C stones.

General Care of Your Stone Counter Tops

For everyday cleaning, use a clean cloth with a few drops of a mild dish detergent.  The dish detergent should not contain oil or lemon.  The oil can leave streaks and the lemon additive can etch the surface of the stone.  Rinse with a clean cloth and water.  Then dry.  It is very important to clean up spills quickly, especially wine and lemon juice.  Even though your stone is sealed, it is still a porous material.  It can stain and the surface can be etched. 

Once a week or when your tops look hazy, pour denatured alcohol on a cloth and wipe counters in a circular motion.  This will remove any oil and disinfect the counter tops.  You can purchase denatured alcohol at any hardware store in 1 gallon containers.  Rubbing alcohol also works but is a lot more expensive.

DOs and DON'Ts (as listed in the Marble Institute of America "Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone Surfaces")
Do clean surfaces with mild detergent and wet cloth.
Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
Do clean up spills immediately.

Don't use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on any stone product.  The surface will etch.
Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub&tile cleaners.

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