granite darkening

Q.Our Santa Cecilia granitie has been installed for about 7 years. We noticed it has darkened significantly but not on the back splashes and not on one separate desk top counter that is never used (and never cleaned). We clean with water and a microfiber cloth, occasionally with a clorox wipe. We are not sure if this happened recently or gradually over time. We only noticed it recently and find it quite conspicuous. It was sealed when installed but not never since. We tried cleaning it with a commercial product and with dish washing liquid and that may have woked a little, we are not sure, but it is still darker than the back splashes and the separate desk top counter

A.So sorry for th delay in rsponding w have been out working.

Santa cecillia is a rather porous stone so if the sealer is not maintained properly it will over time absorb many substances (liquids) that sit on its surface. Sealer get degraded thought the use of improper cleaning compounds over the years. The way to test the porousity of the surface is to puddle up a palm sized amount of water. Leave it on the surface for 10 minutes and wipe away. If the area looks darkned the stone is absorbant.

The darkening of your top indicates the stains are probably

well set and will be hard to remove.

However contact a bona fide stone refinisher and let them take a look. He or she may be able to help you.

Find one at www.stoneandtilepros.com

If you like to try it yourself call us.

Stu Rosen