Granite Countertop Solutions

You will be contacted directly by one of our template technicians on the day your countertops are scheduled to be measured to verify their arrival time. Please review and complete this simple but important checklist before they arrive to ensure an efficient and accurate template experience.

Your Template Experience

• Please remove all objects or construction material from the top of cabinets. If existing countertops are in place, remove all household items. Your technician will require an unobstructed view of the fronts of cabinets and walls to develop the drawing that will be used for the fabrication of your countertops.
• If you are not using a Counter Solutions sink, please make sure your sink is on site. If it will be under mounted, we will most likely be taking the sink back to our shop to measure it and ensure a perfect fit.
• If you are using a farm/apron sink, we require that it is installed prior to templating.
• Ensure faucets and all other fixtures (soap, water purifier, disposal switch) on site for templating. If this is not possible, please be prepared to provide fixture specifications and to discuss number of holes and locations in which they need to be drilled.
• Be prepared to supply the make and model numbers of new stoves and cooktops. If you are using exisiting appliances, make sure they are on site for us to verify dimensions.
• A “decision maker” will need to be on site to assist in making any final choices required for sizing or design. We understand that most of these decisions and selections have already been made in participation with your salesperson, designer or builder, however, we appreciate the opportunity to doublecheck information before your countertops go into production.

Just as on your scheduled template day, your installation team will contact you with information pertaining to their arrival time. Please prepare accordingly by following these steps to assist in a safe and successful countertop installation.

Your Install Experience

• Coordinate the removal of existing countertops. If Counter Solutions is scheduled to do the removal of your existing countertops, we ask that you clear out the contents of the lower cabinets. While our team pays great attention to keeping mess to a minimum, some dust or debris from your existing countertops may fall into cabinets while we are removing them. This also allows the team to conduct cleaning during and upon completion of your installation.
• Clear any construction material or tools from cabinets so our team is ready to carry
  countertops in when they arrive.
• Disconnect any water, gas or electrical lines. This would include an existing sink or an existing cooktop. Our Counter Solutions Team members have been instructed to avoid disturbing any existing plumbing, gas or electric lines as they are not licensed plumbers or electricians.
• Remove top drawers of cabinets so our installation team has access to the underside of the new countertops. If this proves for any reason to be too difficult, your installation team will be happy to assist.
• Provide a safe and unobstructed route from where our team will park their vehicle to where your countertops will be installed. This would include snow and ice removal, removal of construction related material and furniture if the situation requires. Whatever could be done to coordinate easy access to the room where the work is being done is appreciated and your install team will communicate and assist where needed.
• Appliances, new and existing, must be onsite for the installation of your new countertops. Your installation team will need access to all appliances in order to verify the sizes of cooktop cutouts, stove and fridge openings.
• A “decision maker” will also need to be onsite during your installation to assist with any minor questions your installers may have. Your installation team may require further information if faucet holes need to be drilled or if they have any questions that may help to ensure your satisfaction. We would also appreciate your time to review and approve of the work once the installation has been completed.

All granite countertops come with a 1 year warranty on Fabrication and Installation. This warranty does not apply to natural characteristics or items caused by normal wear and tear, problems resulting from acts of nature or natural disasters beyond the control of Counter Solutions by Lumbermen’s. No steps taken by Counter Solutions by Lumbermen’s to correct a defect shall act to extend the terms of the warranty beyond the warranty period.

Placement of all seams is at the discretion of Counter Solution’s by Lumbermen’s. Seams are visible to the eye and touch. Every effort is made to ensure that the seam is placed in the best location for structural integrity and to make the tops aesthetically pleasing. Natural characteristics of granite make it impossible to guarantee a match in color or veining when seaming two pieces together. Color coordinated epoxy will be used to fill the seam, and blend in with the countertop. Minor cracks in grout and caulking are unavoidable and are considered normal due to expansion and contraction of rigid materials.

Your countertop will come with a highly polished finish, unless otherwise noted. Irregularities in natural materials like granite are common, reflecting the unique natural patterns and finish that give each granite countertop its distinctive appearance.

Granite countertops are semi-porous. Yet they will resist staining when properly sealed and maintained. Most any stains that do occur can be removed with a poultice.

All countertops are sealed prior to installation using a specially formulated stone sealer.

Use lukewarm water or Windex to clean your countertop.

Granite countertops are extremely hard surfaces and very resistant to scratching. The top should not be used as a cutting surface since it will dull your knives. The use of cutting boards is recommended.

When fabricating countertops, chipping at the edges and corners may occur. These chips are normally resin filled and are normal characteristic when dealing with natural stone. They are allowed providing the structural integrity of the stone is not affected.

Granite countertops are very heat resistant and unlikely to burn or scorch. However, thermal shock or cracks may occur if the countertop is subject to extreme temperature changes. It is recommended that you protect your countertop from extreme heat by using trivets or hot pads.

The higher the quality (and price), the longer the life span (as a general rule). Some can provide protection for up to ten years. The life expectancy of the sealer you purchase should be clearly marked on the product label. To be safe, don’t wait until the old sealer wears off before applying additional coats. Granite sealers are easy to work with. They penetrate deep into the granite pores and help prevent absorption of water and oils; which can leave a stain.

As with any specialty product, always read the application instructions, and follow them to the letter. Many granite sealers tell you to apply them to dry granite. This is very important. Be aware of what dry means. This doesn’t mean clean the countertop and then dry it with a paper towel. Water from the cleaning process can seep into the granite just as a liquid that might stain it. If water is in the small cracks, fissures and spaces between the crystals, the sealer can’t penetrate into the granite.

Clean the granite and let it dry for 24 hours or allow a fan to blow across the granite for eight hours. Wet granite has a richer color than dry granite, so wait for the granite to get that faded look before opening the sealer.

Allow sealer to soak in a few minutes (do not let sealer dry on the surface), buff it with an old terry-cloth bath towel. These rough clothes do a fantastic job of making the granite shine. Do not use a mechanical buffer unless you really know what you’re doing. You can easily ruin the granite finish in short order.