How should I care for my concrete countertop?
• Always use cutting boards when chopping and preparing foods.
• Don’t cut on concrete countertops. I t won’t hurt the concrete, but
it will damage the sealer, which keeps out water and stains.
it will damage the sealer, which keeps out water and stains.
• Consider asking your contractor to build in trivets (before the
countertop is installed). Some will build in steel, brass or copper.
These type of trivets not only contribute to the total design
of your countertop and kitchen, but they’re functional, too.
countertop is installed). Some will build in steel, brass or copper.
These type of trivets not only contribute to the total design
of your countertop and kitchen, but they’re functional, too.
• Avoid placing hot pans on concrete countertops. Concrete is
very heat resistant, but, again, the concern is damaging or discoloring
the sealer.
very heat resistant, but, again, the concern is damaging or discoloring
the sealer.
• Avoid abrasive soaps or cleansers. Hayes Concrete recommends
a mild, non-abrasive, non-ammonia soap for daily cleaning.
They suggest Simple G reen (diluted as instructed) or Dr. Bronner’s
natural soap (five parts water, one part soap). Soupcan, I nc. recommends
a neutral pH cleanser and warm water. They say you should
avoid using abrasive pads.
a mild, non-abrasive, non-ammonia soap for daily cleaning.
They suggest Simple G reen (diluted as instructed) or Dr. Bronner’s
natural soap (five parts water, one part soap). Soupcan, I nc. recommends
a neutral pH cleanser and warm water. They say you should
avoid using abrasive pads.
Like any other material, concrete has properties that require
special care and attention. One of the biggest questions that
comes up is whether concrete countertops will develop cracks.
The answer: Not always, but concrete countertops can develop
hairline cracks. The cracks tend to be non-structural and result
from the natural shrinkage of the concrete.
But many view this unpredictable, imperfect quality as one
of the many assets of concrete.
Each concrete countertop contractor has his or her own reinforcement
method. For instance, Soupcan Inc.uses fiber reinforcing
technology. They believe their proprietary formulation drastically
reduces the chances for both structural and hairline cracking.
The conventional wire mesh and rebar reinforcement acts only
after cracking has occurred.
Other contractors have success using rebar, mesh, fiber reinforcement,
and/or other methods of reinforcement.
No matter what reinforcing method is used, hairline cracks,
which are non-structural, may still occur.
special care and attention. One of the biggest questions that
comes up is whether concrete countertops will develop cracks.
The answer: Not always, but concrete countertops can develop
hairline cracks. The cracks tend to be non-structural and result
from the natural shrinkage of the concrete.
But many view this unpredictable, imperfect quality as one
of the many assets of concrete.
Each concrete countertop contractor has his or her own reinforcement
method. For instance, Soupcan Inc.uses fiber reinforcing
technology. They believe their proprietary formulation drastically
reduces the chances for both structural and hairline cracking.
The conventional wire mesh and rebar reinforcement acts only
after cracking has occurred.
Other contractors have success using rebar, mesh, fiber reinforcement,
and/or other methods of reinforcement.
No matter what reinforcing method is used, hairline cracks,
which are non-structural, may still occur.
What else should I expect with a concrete countertop?
© 2007 Hayes Concrete
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