Quartz countertops are beautiful, durable, and easy to clean. Unfortunately, they can also pit over time due to the natural expansion and contraction of quartz crystals. This article explains why pitting occurs on quartz surfaces and how to fix it so that your counters stay intact for years to come.
What Is Pitting?
It occurs when two quartz crystals meet and one is forced into another, resulting in a pitted surface.
Pitting is different from other types of damage to quartz surfaces because it occurs over time, including while the stone itself is still intact.
Pitting is essentially holes in your quartz countertop. Pitting can also be used to refer to a small crack, indentation, or fissure on the surface of a natural stone such as marble, quartz, granite, etc.
One important thing to keep in mind is that most countertops made from natural stones will each have their own peculiar blemishes and imperfections in the form of pits, cracks, chips, etc.
Homeowners should be prepared to appreciate the distinctive characteristics of their stones and keep in mind that natural stones are not produced like other surfaces.
The fact is all-natural stones have to pit to some extent, though they are usually not visible and in some cases, you will need to use a jeweler’s loupe to see them.
Pitting is not a sign of an installation problem or polishing mistake; rather, it’s a normal part of caring for natural stone that arises and I’m going to share with your why it happens in the next part of this post.
1. Pitting Is A Natural Occurrence In Quartz Countertops
Generally, pitting may occur naturally in quartz countertops over time.
This is because of the natural expansion and contraction that occurs in all types of countertops with natural stone, including quartz.
So essentially, the longer your quartz countertop lasts, the more you’re going to be able to see pits.
Quartz countertops are more durable than marble or granite, but they’re still susceptible to pitting over time from natural forces.
Quartz countertops are still natural stone and they’re not going to be perfect as most other engineered materials such as Corian, Silestone, and so on.
Although pitting in quartz and other natural stones countertops are a natural occurrence, there are certain things that can also cause your quartz countertops to pit. Read on to find out more on this.
2. When Quartz Countertops Are Polished
Pitting and fissuring will result when any natural stone is polished, no matter how carefully it is done.
This is one of the major causes of pitting occurrence in quartz countertops as their natural tendency is to expand and contract.
Polishing a natural stone such as quartz countertops will smooth out its surface, which means that the crystals inside the stone will come closer together.
When this happens, it can lead to the formation of pitting and fissuring in quartz countertops if they are not properly sealed.
Unfortunately, this is a common mistake that many homeowners or installers make when they are polishing their quartz countertops without sealing them first with a high-quality sealer.
The result is pitting, which can be very difficult to fix once it occurs on your quartz countertops.
All in all, pitting can also occur by the polishing process itself and the best way to prevent this is by sealing your quartz countertops before polishing them.
3. Drastic Change In Temperature
Another reason why is that pitting can occur in quartz countertops due to a drastic change in temperature.
This is because quartz countertops are insulators. They do not conduct heat or energy well, meaning that they will absorb the heat from your appliances such as the oven, toaster, microwave, and other appliances used on them.
When the heat is absorbed by your quartz countertops, this can cause it to expand and contract as well when it is cooled.
These processes of expansion and contraction can cause pitting to occur in quartz countertops.
And while the solution may seem like simply avoiding any sudden changes in temperature on your quartz countertops, this can be very difficult to do if you’re using them for cooking and other daily activities.
4. Inherent Cracks In The Surface Of Quartz Countertops
Another reason why is that pitting can occur in quartz countertops due to inherent cracks in the surface of your quartz countertop.
This is because quartz countertops are made up of individual crystals, and cracks can form in between these crystals.
And when you combine this with the processes of expansion and contraction that all-natural stone countertops undergo, this can lead to pitting.
Generally speaking, quartz countertops are very durable, but it is possible for them to pit due to the cracks in their surface.
Ultimately, this will depend on how deep the cracks are and what types of materials they’re made up of.
However, it is important to note that the deeper the crack in your quartz countertops, the more likely it is to cause pitting.
This means that you need to be careful when inspecting your quartz countertop for any cracks.
And if you do notice any deep cracks, it is best to have them repaired before they can cause pitting in your quartz countertops.
5. Exposure To Salt Water
Another reason why pitting occurs in quartz countertops is due to exposure to saltwater.
This is because natural stone, and quartz countertops, in particular, will absorb salt water and other liquids.
When this happens, it can lead to the formation of pitting and fissuring in quartz countertops if they are not properly sealed.
This is because the saltwater can weaken the resin holding parts of the quartz countertops together.
And when this happens, it can lead to pitting and fissuring in your quartz countertops if they are not properly sealed.
All in all, it is important to note that exposure to saltwater can cause pitting and fissuring in quartz countertops.
But it is also important to note that you can prevent pitting in your quartz countertops by properly sealing them with a high-quality sealer.
And of course, you should also avoid exposing your quartz countertops to saltwater as much as possible if they are not sealed.
6. Exposure To Acidic Foods
Another reason why pitting occurs in quartz countertops is due to exposure to acidic foods. This is because natural stone and quartz countertops in particular are composed of minerals, and these minerals can be dissolved by acidic foods.
When this happens, it can lead to the formation of pitting and fissuring in quartz countertops if they are not properly sealed.
All in all, it is important to note that exposure to acidic foods can cause pitting and fissuring in quartz countertops if they are not properly sealed.
But it is also important to note that you can prevent pitting in your quartz countertops by properly sealing them with a high-quality sealer.
And of course, you should also avoid exposing your quartz countertops to acidic foods as much as possible if they are not sealed.
7. Weight Of The Quartz Countertop
Pitting is even more likely to occur with natural stones that are thin-cut like slab surfaces because the stone has very little support.
This is because slab surfaces are generally cut into very thin slabs that have to be supported by a concrete substrate underneath them, and this can lead to pitting due to the weight of the slab.
In general, quartz countertops that are cut into thin slabs and that are not supported by a concrete substrate underneath them will be more likely to pit.
All in all, it is important to note that pitting can occur in quartz countertops if they are cut into thin slabs and do not have a concrete substrate underneath them due to the weight of the slab.
Is It Possible To Fix Pitting On Quartz Countertops?
Yes, it is possible to fix pitting on quartz countertops. However, this will vary depending on the depth of the pits and what caused them to occur in the first place.
If you do plan on fixing pitting, it is important to note that this process can take a long time because you will need to slowly grind down the material with increasingly fine abrasive until it is gone. This is how you will particularly do it for very tiny pits.
In the case of larger pits, you will have to seal them with a stone sealer, and the process is much faster.
When sealing your quartz countertops, you want to make sure that you choose a sealer that is high-quality and specifically designed for sealing natural stone including quartz countertops.
I will highly recommend you invite a professional to come and have a look at your quartz countertop before you do anything else.
But if you are comfortable doing this yourself, then just make sure that any sealer you use is specifically designed for natural stone including quartz countertops.
For example, you can use tenax or Caesarstone natural stone sealer to repair fissures and pitting in your quartz countertop.
In any case, make sure to follow the instructions of whatever sealer you choose exactly so that it does not cause more damage to your quartz countertop.
How To Prevent Pitting In Quartz Countertops?
There are a few things you can do to prevent pitting from occurring in quartz countertops in the first place.
- First of all, you want to make sure that your quartz countertop is not exposed to saltwater or acidic foods for an extensive period.
- Both of these things can eat away at the minerals in your quartz countertop and cause pitting to occur if they are not properly sealed.
- Clean your quartz countertop regularly with the best cleaner product that can be found at Amazon.
- When you clean your quartz countertops, make sure that you use a natural stone cleaner and dry the surface with a soft cloth or paper towel.
- You also want to make sure that you re-seal your quartz countertop with a high-quality sealer every few years.
- I highly recommend that you re-seal your quartz countertops at least once a year because this will help prevent pitting from occurring in the first place.
- Always use placemats, trivets, or coasters when setting hot items on your quartz countertops.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why your quartz countertops will have pits. Pits are caused by a variety of things with the most prominent being drastic temperature change and pitting when the quartz countertop is polished.
The main thing to remember is that pitting is a process that can take time and patience, but it can be fixed.
If you want to fix or prevent pits from occurring in your quartz countertops, then there are a few things you can do.
Among other things, simply make sure that the slab has been properly supported and that the concrete substrate underneath is strong enough to support it.