How To Drill Through Granite

CATEGORY: Granite

These days, homeowners are increasingly using granite throughout their homes, often as flooring and countertops. There may be times, however, when you will need to drill through the stone (for installing electrical wiring or plumbing). In order to do this without damaging the integrity of the granite, you should follow the below instructions.

You will need to ensure that you have fitted your drill with a core drill bit. Do not attempt to drill through granite using a masonry bit, as it will not be strong enough to get through the stone.

Then, you will need to place a white bottle cap (like those found on medicine bottles) over the area of the granite that you wish to drill through, making sure that the opening faces upwards. Use a plumber’s putty around the base of the cap to ensure that it stays in place.

Take any kind of oil that you have on hand and pour it into the cap then position the drill with the bit inside both the cap and the oil. Begin to drill into the granite, letting the bit spin for around 10 seconds. Turn the drill off and let it cool down for a further 10 seconds.

Continue this process of drilling through the granite for 10 seconds and leaving the drill to cool down for 10 seconds until you have completely drilled through the stone. Immediately after this, you will need to place a rag underneath the hole you have made to catch any excess oil and granite chips.

To prevent the oil from soaking into the granite, you should wash it straight after you have finished drilling. Spray the stone with brake cleaner and blow on it with an air compressor, then wash the granite with a kitchen detergent and a bristled brush.

Posted by:John Hardy

Can You Paint Sandstone? If So, How?

CATEGORY: Sandstone

Sandstone is a highly attractive material in its own right, which is why it is often chosen for indoor and outdoor paving projects. There are times, however, when it may be necessary to paint your sandstone – this can be a difficult thing to achieve, as the stone is fairly soft and brittle. Whilst it is possible to paint your sandstone, it can be a very involved process:

Begin by cleaning the sandstone to remove any dirt or other debris from its surface. Use a cloth to do this, as sandpaper (which is often used to clean other types of stone) can severely damage the surface.

Next, you can apply a coat of a neutral coloured primer and leave it to dry by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a paint spray gun to apply the primer, as it will ensure that it is applied to the sandstone evenly and will find its way into all the little indents and spaces in the stone.

Once the primer is dry, you can apply a coat of latex paint in a colour of your choice to the sandstone. Use the paint spray gun again (having thoroughly cleaned it of the primer) to apply an even layer of paint to the sandstone and to get it into all of the indents and spaces. Allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Finally, you can finish by apply a clear sealant to the sandstone to protect the paint against any marks, scratches or elemental damage it may be subjected to. After leaving the sealant to dry, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, your painted sandstone is ready to go.
 

Posted by:John Hardy

How To Remove Polymeric Sand From Your Pavers

CATEGORY: Pavers

When laying pavers, polymeric sand is commonly used to fill the gaps between each stone and to keep them in place. Normally, polymeric sand contains 85 – 90% quartz and crystalline silica, which is what gives the sand its extreme binding power. When you wet this sand, it activates the polymers, which hardens the various components, effectively locking the pavers in place.

Unfortunately, if there is any polymeric sand left on the surface of the pavers, it will harden if it becomes wet, leaving rough clumps on top of the stones that are difficult to remove. The best way to avoid this from occurring to you is to remove all the sand from the surface of the pavers before wetting.

Begin by pouring the polymeric sand into the gaps between the pavers, making sure that these gaps are filled to the top. Use a leaf blower, held levelly to prevent it from blowing sand out of the gaps, to blow the excess sand from the surface of the stones. Then, sweep over the pavers with a broom to remove any sand that may have found its way into crevices in the stone.

Take a garden hose, with the nozzle set to mist, and lightly spray it over the pavers, starting from the highest section and working your way down to the lowest. Not only does this harden the polymeric sand in the gaps between pavers, it also removes any remaining sand from the stone’s surface.

You should avoid driving and even walking on your pavers for at least 24 hours after wetting polymeric sand, as this could cause the stones to shift slightly and to become uneven.
 

Posted by:John Hardy