Since a granite countertop is a long-term investment in your home, you may have never gone through the installation process before. If you are planning on installing granite stone at your place, you may be curious to know what goes on during installation? Or how long can probably be the Granite fabricators and installers near you take to complete your project? or what you should do before the professional’s team approach your door?
Here is a detailed post about what you can expect when a professional Granite fabricator installer comes to install beautiful and new granite countertops at your place.
Before the professional’s team arrive at your doorstep.
Before the skilled Granite fabricators and installers near you pull into your driveway, there are a few things you need to do:
- You may need to cover nearby furniture to protect them from dust accumulation.
- Ensure that there is a clear pathway between the installation site and the closest entrance. Granite stone is heavy, so it would be a generous gesture to help individuals conveniently carrying the sections of the countertop into your kitchen or bathroom.
- The homeowner or someone who can make decisions on behalf of the owner needs to be present during the installation process. The Granite fabricator and installerare likely to go over the installations’ details and take approval before leaving the site.
- If you have kids, for their safety, please make them not to come in the way while professionals are carrying the stone.
What to do during the installation?
Of course, you want the installation to be as efficient as possible, but you must also feel comfortable with the Granite fabricator and installer‘s job and techniques. If you have any concerns, please ask them before the installers start bringing in the granite. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Secondly, installing granite stone countertops requires a lot of focus and precision. Professionals develop proven plans that allow each team member to get their task done and trusting that their partners are following the time-table and preparing for the next job.
So, it’s best to allow experts to work uninterrupted. Of course, you are welcome to watch them if you want or stay nearby to answer any questions that may come up during the process.
Removing and disposing of the existing countertops
You can expect your professionals to carefully remove your existing countertops and trying their best to avoid risks of any damage to the wall or cabinet.
Sometimes, if you have laminated counters with backsplash, a bit of the wall plaster can come off with the old counters. Don’t worry; usually, your new granite backsplash entirely cover up those imperfections.
Putting the granite in place and setting the seams
Once the cabinets are ready, the installers will lay the granite pieces in place on the counters. They will use an epoxy at the seams to cement the pieces of granite to each other.
Epoxy is usually of two types: clear and neutral color, which Granite fabricator installer color and blend carefully on-site to match your countertop color. As soon as the seams are dry, experts will carefully skim off excess epoxy with a razor blade to ensure the seam is as smooth as possible.
Backsplash
Backsplash is the material typically used to fill the tiny gaps between the cabinets and countertops to ensure excellent strength and flawless final outcomes.
Wrapping up the details and cleaning up
Once all the granite countertops are secured in place, the experts may use acetone or denatured alcohol to remove any excess epoxy, caulk, and any dust leftover from the cooktop or faucet hole cutting. You can expect professionals to leave the job site clean as much as possible.
They will also provide you instructions on how to care for and clean your granite countertops to keep them new forever and leave you to admire your new countertops.
How long can a granite countertop installation take?
It usually depends on the complexity of design, number of cabinets, and size of the place. For smaller and simpler bathrooms or kitchens, professionals may take about 2 to 3 hours, and large and complex areas may take 6 to 7 hours.
Average sized kitchens of around 60 Square feet of counter space will take about 4 hours from start to finish.
