Warranties | Chain Of Lakes Granite Inc

Sink Care

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Caring for Your Stainless Steel or Granite Sink

Three Simple Steps for Caring for Your Stainless Steel Sink

Gentle, inexpensive, and simple routine cleaning are the keys to maintaining your new stainless steel sink.

Clean regularly with a mild detergent solution and/or clean water applied with a soft cloth or sponge. Rub gently.
Rinse and towel dry after every use (to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink).
Deep clean once a week with a recommended cleanser (be sure to rub in the direction of the finish lines) and a soft cloth or sponge rather than an occasional aggressive single cleaning. Cleaners should state "suitable for stainless steel."

Some Dont's:

Do not use coarse abrasive powders, metallic scourers such as steel wool or brushes with metal bristles.
Do not use the so termed "silver cleaners."
Do not leave wet sponges, cloths, cleaning pads, rubber mats or dishpans in the sink. This could lead to surface rust or possible pitting.
Do not leave standing solutions of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for extended periods of time. Always rinse the sink after using such solutions.
Do not allow liquid soap or other cleansers to dry on the surface of the sink.

Recommended Cleansers:

Use brands that state "suitable for stainless steel." Inox crème, Zud, Bar Keepers Friend, and Laurence Right Work are some of the most effective. Other effective, though less aggressive, cleaners include Comet, Shiny Sinks Plus, Soft Scrub, and Mr. Clean. For scratches, try a material called Scotchbrite (using very light hand pressure in the direction of the finish).

Please note: chlorides are found in most all soap, detergents, bleaches and cleansers. Chlorides can be harsh on stainless steel, but because chlorides are very water-soluble, they are usually not a problem. THOROUGH rinsing of your sink after each use to remove any chloride residue and weekly deep cleaning will keep your sink in excellent condition.

Troubleshooting:

Scratches

As with most metallic surfaces, your stainless steel sink WILL get scratches. These are merely "usage scratches" and over time will blend in with the overall finish of your sink.

However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the appearance of scratches. Use a nylon pad (such as Scotchbrite) with an iron-free abrasive polishing compound. Follow the direction of the original polish lines and you can blend out the scratch in a small area. Be careful not to overdo it. If you get too aggressive, you can't go back. You will end up with a bright spot.

Water Quality

Regular routine cleaning can usually prevent lime scale deposits from hard water. Do not allow excessive build-up before treating. Soaking in a 25 percent vinegar solution or a five percent nitric acid solution can treat these hard water spots. Periodically rub with a nylon-bristled brush or fine synthetic scourer pad. Then, rinse and towel dry.

Rust Marks

If you develop rust marks due to the presence of or contact with ferrous (iron containing) materials, swab with a sponge wetted with a dilute (10-15 percent) solution of nitric acid (HNO3) and follow with routine cleaning. Avoid prolonged contact of ferrous (i.e., cast iron pans) materials with stainless steel.

Dilute nitric acid in strengths of up to 20 percent is a "friendly" acid to stainless steel. It is the ONLY acid that may be used with no risk to stainless steel.

Granite Composite Sink Care

Silgranit® General Care and Cleaning

Daily cleaning may be done with any non-abrasive cleaner (i.e. Bar Keepers Friend, Soft Scrub, Soft Scrub with Bleach, or dishwasher soap). After every use, rinse and wipe the sink dry with a clean, soft cloth to eliminate any water spots or soap film build-ups.

Removing Stains and Minor Scuff Marks

Please use a mild abrasive cleanser, along with a soft scouring pad. For stubborn stains ~ a solution of 50 percent bleach/50 percent water should only be used for tough, stubborn stains. Let the solution sit in the bottom of the sink for one hour, then scrub. Rinse well. Also, the use of Bar Keepers Friend (directions included on the bottle or can) will help remove stubborn stains. (NOTE: Dark-colored sinks must be rinsed thoroughly with hot water).

Luster

Mineral oil applied with a damp cloth can be used to restore the luster but is typically not necessary.

Miscellaneous

To remove calcium deposits (a white ring around the bottom of your sink): use Lime-A-Way or CLR cleaner. To remove adhesive labels: use rubbing alcohol. Note: Always test any stain removers in a small, non-visible location.

What NOT To Use

Do not use any abrasive cleaning agents or scrub pads, such as steel wool
Straight bleach
Commercial alkalis, such as ammonia and/or caustic solutions
Drain blocking chemicals that involve filling the sink with water
Do not use the sink for cleaning paint or grout materials

Note: Always test any stain removers in a small, non-visible location

Staining

Here at Chain Of Lakes Granite Inc, we measure, fabricate, and install granite. We warranty the stone and the work that we do, but since we don't manufacture the sealer itself, it only makes sense that the company that makes the sealer provide a warranty for their product.

That is why we tested many products in our shop and select not only the best performing sealer but the one that also carries the highest warranty and service team to apply to your countertops.

If you would like to learn more about our sealer warranties, please see our sealer warranty below for more information.

Now all of our products are sealed before they leave the shop regardless of whether or not you elect to purchase the supplier's warranty. The only difference is you wouldn't have access to their support team.

Without the warranty, we recommend you reseal your countertops annually as a safeguard against stains.

Product Disclaimers

Marble

Acid etching - Acid etching occurs when an acid reacts with the naturally occurring calcium that makes up the majority of marble.

Even weak acids such as vinegar, citrus juice, or tomatoes will cause acid etching. Acid etching looks like a dull spot or ring on your countertop. There is NO way to prevent acid etching and if you choose marble, your countertops ARE going to acid etch.

Since acid etching is entirely unpreventable, Chain of Lakes Granite nor any sealer warranty will cover acid etching. See the photo to the right for an example, this ring was made with diluted one percent HCL in 10 seconds.

Scratching - Much like acid etching, scratches are going to occur on marble countertops. Marble is very soft and can be easily scratched with common household items like glasses, pans, silverware, and even plastic.

Scratching is entirely unpreventable and not warrantied in any way. We are not saying never use marble, just saying that you must be willing to accept the natural patina that is bound to happen on your countertops.

Quartz

Burning - Quartz is a man-made product that contains about 93 percent naturally occurring quartz which is very resilient. The remaining amount is resin and pigments to hold it all together and give it some color.

While the quartz is hard and pretty indestructible, the resins are not. Therefore, quartz will burn if a hot kettle or cookware is placed on them.

Since this is an unpreventable condition (besides of course not placing hot items on it), we do not in any way warranty burn marks in quartz.

Stone Sealer Warranty

Here at Chain of Lakes Granite, we measure, fabricate, and install granite, so we warranty the stone and the work that we do.

Since we don't manufacture the sealer we apply to the stone, it only makes sense that the company that makes the sealer provide a warranty for their product.

That is why we tested many products in our shop and select not only the best performing sealer but the one that also carries the highest warranty and service team to apply to your countertops.

The More Infinity Warranty Program

We recommend sealing natural stone countertops regularly to preserve their beauty. How often depends on the type of stone and the amount of use.

Some customers may want a more hassle-free solution for long-term stain protection. The More Infinity Warranty Program provides that extra level of protection. Here's how it works:

Homeowners have a lifetime warranty against staining
Commercial spaces are covered against stains for 10 years (granite only)
Exterior countertop installations are covered for one year
No need to reseal during the warranty coverage period
We’ll replace the countertop if a stain can’t be removed (that includes both labor and materials)
We cover granite and marble

Price when ordered with new countertop and applied in our shop - $299
Price when applied to existing kitchen in your home - $399

Limited Sink Warranty

This warranty applies only to the original owner and is not transferable.

Chain of Lakes Granite will replace without charge (excluding labor AND materials for re-installation of any other services or products; such as re-plumbing drains, faucets, any lost time, etc.), any stainless steel sink supplied by Chain of Lakes Granite that is proven to be defective, with an equivalent replacement, within one year from date of purchase, to the original owner, provided it has been used solely in a residential application and installed by Chain of Lakes Granite, used and cleaned as recommended, and not damaged due to abuse, misuse, or negligence.

This warranty will not cover any damages to the house it is installed in or bodily injury that may be caused by the product.

Chain of Lakes Granite reserves the right to inspect any sink reported to be defective prior to replacement of the sink. All decisions are final. Replacement EXCLUDES labor and materials for re-installation of any other services or products; such as re-plumbing drains, faucets, any lost time, and any services rendered in relation to the defective sink not provided by Chain of Lakes Granite.

Chain of Lakes Granite shall not be liable in case of:

Improper modification
Damages resulting from abuse, such as heavy impact or dropped objects
Improper care or maintenance
Damages resulting from improper care or maintenance
Scuffs or scratches. (These are NORMAL and will result from normal wear on ANY stainless steel sink)
Improper applications (such as exposure to corrosive chemicals, photographic solutions, etc.)
Any modifications made to the product after it was installed
Commercial application

This warranty supersedes all other warranties, expressed or implied.

The foregoing warranties are exclusive and made only for the buyer. NO OTHER WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL BE DEEMED TO EXIST IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES SUPPLIED HEREUNDER, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES FOR A PERIOD GREATER THAN THE HEREBY EXCLUDED. CHAIN OF LAKES GRANITE, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE GOODS OR SERVICES SUPPLIED HEREUNDER.