Granite

[luuluu]

Hey guys,

Just bought a house that's being built, and moving in at the end of this month. Went yesterday to look at the house, and saw these spots (or stains?) that don't seem to be natural/part of the granite. I don't know if it's been oxidized causing a faint rust stain or what? Maybe wasn't sealed properly? Any idea on trying to remove stains from granite? I'm going to go to Granite Gallery (that's where we picked our granite) today to check out similar slabs and see if those spots are present.

It's quite visible and an eye sore. Talked to the builder and they said it's natural. If it were more faint, I think I could live with it. But it might just be a case where i'm SOL and have to suck it up.

Any suggestions on getting rid of it or making it less of an eye sore?

[flipstah]

Looks like a definite reaction.

It either reacted with the sealant (lemons or wine maybe?) or reaction while sealing.

There are removers and you can reseal but never done it before.

[16hypen3sp]

I have the exact same granite as you! The exact same. I too have noticed this colour in my slab... however, mine are very, very small specks. So small that you have to actually look for them and there is only about 5 specks in total.

Mine has more streaks of that purple/black. It's really nice.

That spot looks pretty big though. Why they even used that piece of the slab is weird. I'd definitely say something about it.

As to how to get them out?... I would think they would have sealed over it already. Rock is porous so once its stained is pretty well screwed. That's why they seal it so liquid doesn't actually get into the rock.

[luuluu]

Originally posted by flipstah
Looks like a definite reaction.

It either reacted with the sealant (lemons or wine maybe?) or reaction while sealing.

There are removers and you can reseal but never done it before.

Thanks Don! I'll probably have to try to look into some removers and reseal it when I move in. Don't think Granite Gallery or the builder are going to do anything about it.

Originally posted by 16hypen3sp
I have the exact same granite as you! The exact same. I too have noticed this colour in my slab... however, mine are very, very small specks. So small that you have to actually look for them and there is only about 5 specks in total.

Mine has more streaks of that purple/black. It's really nice.

That spot looks pretty big though. Why they even used that piece of the slab is weird. I'd definitely say something about it.

As to how to get them out?... I would think they would have sealed over it already. Rock is porous so once its stained is pretty well screwed. That's why they seal it so liquid doesn't actually get into the rock.

Yeah I think it's called Lanka white. If it were smaller specks, I wouldn't mind but man it sticks out from a mile away. Maybe it's common with that type of granite. I hate the fact that they used it anyways...bad quality control. I'll see what Granite Gallery says. Try to get some suggestions from them.

Like above, I'll probably have to try to go out and buy some removers and then try resealing it. Hopefully it that does something. I'd be even happy if it were more faint. Wonder if it'll change as time goes by.

[msommers]

That doesn't look natural to me at all. I suspect something was spilled and it reacted with the garnets which sometimes are ferrous. At least they appear like garnets, it's hard to tell exactly from the photo.

[C_Dave45]

Looks like it could be rust from small amounts of iron within the granite. I doubt that will come out. I've had to completely re-tile jobs on new construction just because the homeowner didn't like a certain die lot, colour, imperfection etc. I would tell the builder it's not acceptable, they have to change it or fix it.

[thinmyster]

Originally posted by msommers
That doesn't look natural to me at all. I suspect something was spilled and it reacted with the garnets which sometimes are ferrous. At least they appear like garnets, it's hard to tell exactly from the photo.

This. Definitely garnet being the issue. And white granite is way MORE porous on average than a lot of the darks. I don't think all companies seal their stuff after cutting it either. Just a quick google search and a bunch of solutions came up.

I noticed tiny spots but like the poster above they are really tiny and only have 1 or 2 throughout the house.

[luuluu]

Originally posted by msommers
That doesn't look natural to me at all. I suspect something was spilled and it reacted with the garnets which sometimes are ferrous. At least they appear like garnets, it's hard to tell exactly from the photo.

Yeah for sure not natural...

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Looks like it could be rust from small amounts of iron within the granite. I doubt that will come out. I've had to completely re-tile jobs on new construction just because the homeowner didn't like a certain die lot, colour, imperfection etc. I would tell the builder it's not acceptable, they have to change it or fix it.

I have a feeling it won't come out either, but if there's a way to make it less noticeable, I'd be content.

The only thing with that is, when you choose your granite, you sign a sheet accepting any changes as it's a "natural" material. That I have no issue with, but the fact that if it's something they could have prevented (such as how they sealed it or poured something causing that bad of a reaction) then there's a problem. That's where it's hard to argue. I called the builders site supervisor already and he called back saying that it's natural, and part of the stone. He also mentioned there's lot of people asking the same thing. Seems like a common issue.

Originally posted by thinmyster


This. Definitely garnet being the issue. And white granite is way MORE porous on average than a lot of the darks. I don't think all companies seal their stuff after cutting it either. Just a quick google search and a bunch of solutions came up.

I noticed tiny spots but like the poster above they are really tiny and only have 1 or 2 throughout the house.

I thought the same after when I heard people had the same issues on the lighter granite tops. If only I knew before, I would have chosen a darker top (which we were debating with this one or the other). Sucks that they still offer it, if the issue is so common ...or at least mention it beforehand...

[88CRX]

Good luck getting it replaced... who's the builder?

It is a natural stone but that looks like someone spilled a cup of rusty water on it.

[luuluu]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Good luck getting it replaced... who's the builder?

It is a natural stone but that looks like someone spilled a cup of rusty water on it.

Pacesetter is the builder. I know for fact that they won't replace it. They all pretty much just back the whole "natural" material guideline and that, that is how it is. Won't even look twice at it. It's so obvious that it's not part of the natural stone. Doesn't even flow with the pattern of the cut of the stone and the colour.

[88CRX]

Originally posted by luuluu


Pacesetter is the builder. I know for fact that they won't replace it. They all pretty much just back the whole "natural" material guideline and that, that is how it is. Won't even look twice at it. It's so obvious that it's not part of the natural stone. Doesn't even flow with the pattern of the cut of the stone and the colour.

Go into the store, take pictures of the samples they showed you and then make a stink. If you make it very clear you're not happy you might get lucky and they'll fix it.

[project240]

If you close your eyes and run your hand over it can you feel any difference? Try using 000 (very fine) steel wool in a circular motion over one of the spots i a corner, it may help to either remove or make less noticeable... However, would need to be resealed again afterwards

[luuluu]

Originally posted by 88CRX


Go into the store, take pictures of the samples they showed you and then make a stink. If you make it very clear you're not happy you might get lucky and they'll fix it.

Yeah I'm going to go there today after work. I don't know who would be at blame... Granite Gallery for their cutting/sealing job or Pacesetter thinking that, that's good enough.

Don't want to sound like I'm nagging or anything but just think it's bad business. I'd even be okay if they said something like "Yeah, something was done to make it that way." Or try to help and maybe talk to the granite guys, but to pawn it off as, that is how it is and it's natural is BS.

I wouldn't recommend building with Pacesetter. Had so many issues so far. Right now, all of our lights in the house are wrong too. What a pain it's been lol.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by luuluu


Yeah for sure not natural...

It is natural. Granite has deposits in it, and yours apparently had iron which rusted.

We just had some installed, and made sure that we went to the granite place to template it with them. We required 2 slabs, and there was a large 3" rust spot on both that we made sure was in the cut-out area for the sink, but there is still a few scattered spots that show rust.

We've also got deposits of gold, and amethyst in ours.

[luuluu]

Originally posted by project240
If you close your eyes and run your hand over it can you feel any difference? Try using 000 (very fine) steel wool in a circular motion over one of the spots i a corner, it may help to either remove or make less noticeable... However, would need to be resealed again afterwards

I'll try it out when I move into the house at the end of this month. Tried that yesterday and couldn't feel anything really. The counter is kinda messy and filled with dust too.

Originally posted by Tik-Tok


It is natural. Granite has deposits in it, and yours apparently had iron which rusted.

We just had some installed, and made sure that we went to the granite place to template it with them. We required 2 slabs, and there was a large 3" rust spot on both that we made sure was in the cut-out area for the sink, but there is still a few scattered spots that show rust.

We've also got deposits of gold, and amethyst in ours.

Looks nice! I'll most likely just have to suck it up. Just wanted to hear what others thought. I read about the rusting and such. Just didn't really think that it would be that bad. Just looks very off /inconsistent compared to the other parts on the counter but that's the natural aspect of it I guess.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by luuluu


Looks nice! I'll most likely just have to suck it up. Just wanted to hear what others thought. I read about the rusting and such. Just didn't really think that it would be that bad. Just looks very off /inconsistent compared to the other parts on the counter but that's the natural aspect of it I guess.

Yeah, sadly, that's the way granite is. I'm sure the best slabs that have near zero deposits are probably sold to the elite granite companies, where people are willing to pay 10x more than we did, lol.

It's also a reason some people prefer marble, or non-natural stuff like Corian, engineered quartz, etc.

[16hypen3sp]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok


Yeah, sadly, that's the way granite is. I'm sure the best slabs that have near zero deposits are probably sold to the elite granite companies, where people are willing to pay 10x more than we did, lol.

It's also a reason some people prefer marble, or non-natural stuff like Corian, engineered quartz, etc.

Marble is so nice but so much more expensive, its crazy.

The granite company I used kind of gave me the low down on what their process is. Apparently most granite comes from Brazil. Not all, but most. The mines there cut big blocks or raw slabs and ship them to Italy to get prepared for sale to granite counter top sellers. He told me that himself and his partner go over to Italy twice a year and personally select which slabs they want. Throughout the year, those picks are shipped from Italy to the store and thats where the homebuyer personally selects which slab they want as a counter top.

It really comes down to how well they picked. Like tik said, some probably only go after premium stuff while others could care less what the quality is.

Anyways, good luck to OP!

[avishal26]

Originally posted by luuluu


Yeah I'm going to go there today after work. I don't know who would be at blame... Granite Gallery for their cutting/sealing job or Pacesetter thinking that, that's good enough.

Don't want to sound like I'm nagging or anything but just think it's bad business. I'd even be okay if they said something like "Yeah, something was done to make it that way." Or try to help and maybe talk to the granite guys, but to pawn it off as, that is how it is and it's natural is BS.

I wouldn't recommend building with Pacesetter. Had so many issues so far. Right now, all of our lights in the house are wrong too. What a pain it's been lol.

Which area did you build in? Sometimes the sale manager for the area can make all the difference because if they have a ton of experience they can explain it better and usually help you out as much as possible.

I have built with Pacesetter and now building with Sterling - they both use Granite Gallery and I found them very helpful actually. I am assuming you dealt with Susan at Granite Gallery. I found her pretty good to work with - she will straighten it out for you and be able to explain what is going on. If it is indeed natural I'm guessing they won't be able to do anything. If natural then no amount of sanding/grinding the spot will make a difference.

I know for my upcoming Sterling build I was able to pick the actual slab I wanted since I liked the patterns on that particular slab - they let you do that for Pacesetter too iirc.

[?????]

My coworker had the same thing happen. There is a procedure granite specialist can do where they apply some chemical and seal the spots in plastic which will "lift" the rust stains out.

He's away for a couple weeks so I won't be able to get any information about it.

[R-Audi]

I have the same or similar granite with the same orange spots.. I was told it was within the rock.

I noticed it initially but forgot about it... only comes up now if I think I spilt something orange.