If you have purchased or are planning to purchase
granite countertops, please take a moment to review the following
guide to ensure a smooth installation. If you have any
questions after reading this, please feel free to contact your Bell
Stone Company, Inc. sales representative at (602) 276-0500.
REMOVING YOUR STONE TILE
OR LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS:
Every precaution will be taken to limit the mess, drywall and
cabinetry damage that may be involved with the removal of your
countertops, but unfortunately, most demolition will create
some dust and dirt. Repairs by another party may be necessary.
If we will be removing your old countertops we suggest that you
remove everything from the base cabinets. Some customers opt to
remove the countertops themselves, but you should only consider this
if you are 100% sure you can complete the job yourself. Existing
tile backsplash must be torn out, by customer prior to template
appointment.
PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL:
You will need to have a plumber come out and disconnect your sinks,
disposals and faucets before we can remove your old tops and install
your new granite countertops. If we are doing a full splash we will
have to remove the faceplates and pull the electrical outlet from
the wall. If it is necessary to have any outlets moved, you will be
informed, and it is your obligation to have them relocated prior to
your installation. We do not disconnect the cook tops and at
times, it may be necessary to pull the freestanding ovens away from
the wall. We do not reinstall any plumbing, electric or
appliances. Although some customers opt to hook up and
reconnect everything when we are done, we suggest that you call a
licensed plumber or electrician for your connections. When we
template, we will need to take any under-mount sinks back to the
shop. We require you to have your under-mount sink at template time,
otherwise it will delay your installation date. We do not need
self-rimming sinks in the shop, but you must have them on site the
day we do your installation. Because damage may occur with the
removal of your sink, we do not recommend that you use your old sink
with the installation of new countertops. If damage does occur Bell
Stone Company cannot be held responsible.
SUB TOPS:
Sub tops are necessary for a quality installation on 2 cm material.
We use three sizes (1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4”) depending on overhangs and
cabinet type. If you are installing your own sub tops, the templater
can advise you about which size is best, and what overhangs are
required. If you have an overhang larger than nine (9) inches
you will be advised to obtain corbels. Furnishing and
installing corbels or additional supports are your obligation. 3 cm
material does not usually require a sub top, however if sub tops are
necessary, it will require scribe molding. The scribe molding will
need to be purchased and installed by others.
INSTALLATION:
We suggest that everything be removed from
your base cabinets prior to our arrival. You will find that most of
the detail work has already been done in the shop however it may be
necessary to do some cutting on site. Do not expect to keep your
cutouts, they will be rough sided and they usually break during the
cutting process. We do our best to minimize the mess involved but
please keep in mind that granite countertop installation is part of
remodeling and can be a messy process.
SINKS, FAUCETS AND
ACCESSORIES: It is your obligation to
purchase sinks and accessories that fit within the inside dimensions
of your cabinet box. We will “loose set” your self-rimming sink and
have it ready for your plumber to mount it and attach any
clips, hardware and plumbing. Self-rimming sinks are always
cut on the job, in the house, with the top in place to avoid
breakage. When your plumber is done, it is his responsibility to
clean and caulk your self-rimming sink. Under mount sinks are
mounted under the granite and ready for your plumber to attach the
plumbing. Our installer will caulk the under-mount sink. Holes will
be drilled if necessary, for your faucets, soap dispenser, sprayer
and reverse osmosis system. Please know the location for these items
before the installation day.
COOK TOPS AND RANGES:
Cut in type cook tops will be set loose in the countertop, ready for
your appliance installer to mount and hook up. The cut out for your
cook top is done after the new tops are installed. This
creates a little dust, but prevents unnecessary breakage. Please be
careful when purchasing a new cook top, making sure that it fits in
the space allowed by your cabinet box. Slide-in ranges will be
checked for fit and left ready to hook up and install.
SEAMS:
When we purchase and lay out material for your project the location
of the seams, the grain direction or patterns are considered. If you
are present for a template layout, we do our best to ensure that
your job is cut as you requested, however there are occurrences
beyond our control that will require that we use our professional
experience. We can assure you that we do the best job in the
industry in keeping seams to a minimum. When you have a seam, it is
filled with a polyester material, colored to match the stone as
close as possible. Our fabricators and installers are trained to
minimize seams; however, we strive to make them as transparent as
possible.
CAULKING:
Under-mount sinks and backsplashes are caulked after installation.
Depending on the stone, the caulk can be colored or clear. Here, in
the dry valley, caulk can sometimes shrink up. If this occurs, we
will be happy to re-caulk the areas.
If this happens, call our customer service
department at (602) 276-0500, and we will schedule a repair as soon
as possible.
SEALING:
Your new tops are sealed in our fabrication shop. We use only the
highest quality impregnating sealers. These will give you years of
trouble-free usage. In the future, if you feel resealing is
necessary, we will be happy to advise you where to obtain, and how
to apply additional sealer. We can also reseal the tops for you for
a small charge. Never apply any other type of sealer on your
tops. We do recommend resealing your granite countertops
every 5 years.
**CAUTION** REPAIRS AND
NATURAL FISSURES:
Fissures and pits are prevalent in all
natural stone; however usually pose no structural anomalies.
Whenever possible we try to avoid any large fissures by cutting
around them. If it is necessary to reinforce a fissure, it is
customary to fill with resin filler and/or reinforce with steel rods
on the backside. Fissures are often visible and can appear to look
like “spider veins or cracks”. If they do appear in your countertops
we do try to minimize their appearance and after they are filled
with resin are structurally stronger than the granite itself. If
fissures, pits or the natural characteristics of stone are viewed as
defects you may want to choose granite that has less, or consider a
different countertop material.
CLEANING:
You can’t go wrong with just a little dish soap and water (3 drops
to a sink full of warm water). Dry the top after cleaning with a
soft rag. Never use abrasive cleaners such as Soft Scrub. Avoid
using harsh chemical cleaners such as 409 or Fantastic. Be careful
with cleaners that contain alcohol, or those that dry faster than
you can wipe them off. They will often cause a buildup that can
make your tops look dull. Avoid chemical cleaners. Do not wax your
tops.
MAINTENANCE:
Natural stone tops require almost no maintenance. They should remain
just as beautiful as the day they were installed with minimal
upkeep. As mentioned above, we do recommend resealing your granite
countertops every 5 years. Remember it is a natural stone material,
made by Mother Nature, and part of its beauty is in the realization
that every piece is different. Each piece has its own
personality. Appreciate it for its natural qualities and don’t try
to change or alter them.
We hope that this has answered
some of your questions about your natural stone installation. Please call
us if you have any questions. We wish you many years of enjoyment
with your new stone.
