Granite refers to one of the strongest, most long-lasting, and beautiful stones in modern use for the production of various artistic and architectural products. The stone is prestigious and has a composition that make it possible to shape it into various forms. It is used as a symbol of elegance and quality when used in a place. It is in wide use in exterior as well as interior applications. In Baltimore granite stones have been in use for a long time and they are held in high esteem.
The construction industry is one of the industries that has a lot of use for this stone. In external applications, the stone is used to make monuments, bridges, pavements, and buildings among others. Internally, it finds use in making stair treads, tile floors, countertops, and desktops. The countertops made using this stone are usually used in residential as well as commercial kitchens.
Like most other building materials, granites are also prone to certain problems. The problems in these stones can be classified into two major categories. The first category of problems is natural/inherent problems. These problems are based on the attributes of the material and its conditions of exposure. The second category of problems is vandalism and human-caused problems.
Main problems classified under natural/inherent issues are blistering, detachment, efflorescence, erosion, chipping, cracking, flaking, rising damp, spalling, staining, and peeling. Small swellings that occur in the surface of the stone are called blisters. The swelling appear thin with light skins before they rupture to form small depressions. Causes of blistering include ground water or de-icing salts. Blistering precedes spalling and exfoliation.
Chipping is the process through which small or large pieces or fragments separate from masonry units. This process commonly occurs at mortar joints, edges, or corners. The cause of chipping is impact of repairs and deterioration. The impact may be caused by accidents, vandalism, or hard pointing mortar. Cracking is another problem that is indicated by presence of narrow fissures that range in width from 1/16 to 1/2 of an inch.
There are different reasons that cause cracking in granites. The reasons include flaws in material, settlement, and too hard mortar. In case the cracks are only minor, they should not be a source of concern. However, this may not always be the case because such cracks may also mean that there are major structural failures happening internally. Cracks may cause salt migration if water enters the stone through them.
Detachment is usually not failure occurring in the stone, but a failure of the construction system. The failure may occur in joints or connectors. Detachment can be corrected easily by using proper methods of repair. Penetration of water into the points of detachment can accelerate the problem and cause major issues in the structure.
Local, whitish deposits occurring on the surface of the rock are the main indicator of efflorescence. Air pollution, use of improper cleaning agents, mortar, rising damp, chemical landscaping treatments, and de-icing salts are some of the causes of the whitish deposit. However, presence of whitish deposits is not always indicative of efflorescence.
The construction industry is one of the industries that has a lot of use for this stone. In external applications, the stone is used to make monuments, bridges, pavements, and buildings among others. Internally, it finds use in making stair treads, tile floors, countertops, and desktops. The countertops made using this stone are usually used in residential as well as commercial kitchens.
Like most other building materials, granites are also prone to certain problems. The problems in these stones can be classified into two major categories. The first category of problems is natural/inherent problems. These problems are based on the attributes of the material and its conditions of exposure. The second category of problems is vandalism and human-caused problems.
Main problems classified under natural/inherent issues are blistering, detachment, efflorescence, erosion, chipping, cracking, flaking, rising damp, spalling, staining, and peeling. Small swellings that occur in the surface of the stone are called blisters. The swelling appear thin with light skins before they rupture to form small depressions. Causes of blistering include ground water or de-icing salts. Blistering precedes spalling and exfoliation.
Chipping is the process through which small or large pieces or fragments separate from masonry units. This process commonly occurs at mortar joints, edges, or corners. The cause of chipping is impact of repairs and deterioration. The impact may be caused by accidents, vandalism, or hard pointing mortar. Cracking is another problem that is indicated by presence of narrow fissures that range in width from 1/16 to 1/2 of an inch.
There are different reasons that cause cracking in granites. The reasons include flaws in material, settlement, and too hard mortar. In case the cracks are only minor, they should not be a source of concern. However, this may not always be the case because such cracks may also mean that there are major structural failures happening internally. Cracks may cause salt migration if water enters the stone through them.
Detachment is usually not failure occurring in the stone, but a failure of the construction system. The failure may occur in joints or connectors. Detachment can be corrected easily by using proper methods of repair. Penetration of water into the points of detachment can accelerate the problem and cause major issues in the structure.
Local, whitish deposits occurring on the surface of the rock are the main indicator of efflorescence. Air pollution, use of improper cleaning agents, mortar, rising damp, chemical landscaping treatments, and de-icing salts are some of the causes of the whitish deposit. However, presence of whitish deposits is not always indicative of efflorescence.
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