So, you’ve decided to replace your kitchen countertops. It is always exciting to refresh the look of your kitchen and countertops are a great change for an updated kitchen. With stone countertops, you can update the look of your kitchen while investing in durable countertops that will last for decades.
Select a Contractor
The first thing you need to do to get ready for new countertops is hire a contractor. It is a good idea to shop around to find a contractor that meets all of your needs. You want someone who is reputable and gives you a fair quote on the work you want to be done.
Once you select a contractor, you can work with them to choose the material for your countertops and the design. A contractor can help you make the best decision for your household regarding materials. While you may love the look of marble, it may not be a practical choice for your home, because it is softer than other stone surfaces.
Before your countertops are ordered and installed, you should expect a visit from the contractor to take measurements and chart the layout of your countertops. Once the materials come in, be ready to schedule the installation. Keep in mind that your kitchen will be unusable during this time, and it may take a couple of days depending on the contractor’s schedule. Fortunately, replacing the countertops alone doesn’t generally take more than just a few hours. Additionally, replacing countertops is messy. Be sure that you are prepared to clean up your kitchen after the installation is complete. If the installation crew is moving through other parts of your home, expect to clean those spaces as well.
Prepare Your Kitchen
It is important to the timeline of your project that you prepare your kitchen for the contractors to come in and get work done. This means that you need to get all the stuff that is sitting on your counters out of the way. Relocate all of these items to other areas of the home for the duration of the project. Having everything out of the way will allow the contractors to come in and get started without hesitation.
You will also want to take out anything that you want to use while your kitchen is out of commission. It is a good idea to create a new space for cooking while you are waiting on your kitchen remodel to be complete. Use a hot plate or electric skillet in another area of your home to cook on. You may have to get creative when it comes to finding places to do food preparation, or you will have to eat out while your kitchen is under construction.
You may also want to find out if the contractor provides tarps to prevent dust from accumulating all over your home. If not, you can purchase some yourself and set them up in your kitchen. You may also want to leave windows open for ventilation and unplug appliances, so the crew can safely work in your kitchen. You can always ask the contractor what is necessary, so you can have it done before they arrive to replace your countertops.
Get Out of the Way
Your kitchen won’t be yours during the installation process. The contractor and the crew will need you and your family to be out of the way. Give the workers their space to get the job done as quickly as possible. Stick to the other rooms in your home. If it takes a couple of days to get the countertops installed, you will want to resist putting anything on top of or attempting to use your countertops until the entire process is complete. It may not seem like a big deal, but you can ruin your countertops before they are even fully installed if you get anything on them. The best thing you can do is just stay out of your kitchen until the job is done.
Once the New Countertops Are Installed
Start your kitchen countertops off on the right foot by making sure they are cleaned and sealed properly after the contractors leave. Even if the contractors seal your new stone countertops, they are likely to become covered in dust during clean up. To clean your new countertops without the risk of damaging them, you will need to get a cleaner that is made specifically for natural stone surfaces. Rock Doctor’s natural stone care system can protect your countertops and keep them looking their very best for years to come.
While stone countertops should be sealed when they are installed, if yours aren’t, you can use Rock Doctor Granite & Stone Sealer to protect the stone from damage. Water and other liquids can stain the stone, and without the sealer, your stone is left vulnerable. Resealing is necessary every year or year and a half depending on how rough you are on the countertops.
Make sure your stone countertops are sealed. Once they are, the first thing you want to do is clean them. Granite, marble, quartz, and quartzite countertops all require special care. Non-abrasive cleaners are the only way to clean these stone surfaces safely. Rock Doctor’s Granite & Quartz Cleaner is non-acid and non-abrasive to prevent etching and dulling your countertops. A good cleaner will also help protect your countertop from external damage from liquids, pots and pans, and potential sources of harm. Generally, countertops should be cleaned daily or after extensive use.
Polishing stone countertops makes them look their very best. The shine you see on your new countertops can be attributed to the polish used on them. A stone polish, like Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Polish, should be used once a week.
Rock Doctor’s line of stone care products can be purchased online on Amazon or in-store at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Menards, and other retailers. If you have any questions about Rock Doctor products, give us a call at 913-894-0288.
