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Slippery rock Gazette
September 2019|5
ONLINE RESOURCE LIBRARY
NEW DOCUMENTS ADDED
Find Answers to Questions About Natural Stone
Access quick answers to common questions about all varieties of natural stone, including suggested uses and applications for both residential and commercial settings.
www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/resourcelibrary
Braxton-Bragg Sponsors Summer Fun for Special Needs Adults at Helping Hands Camp
Braxton-Bragg contin- ues its pledge of 25 good deeds for 25 years in business, sending a camper to Helping Hands Camp through First Baptist Concord in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Helping Hands pro- gram is taking 16 adults with special needs, and seven caregivers for a fun- filled week away at camp, through generous donations. The camp provides respite for the parents and families for the week.
“For the young adult at- tending, it is an opportu- nity to do things that they are often told they cannot do,” said Helping Hands Ministry Coordinator, Mrs. Diane Knudsen. “With the help of many volunteers,
Camp Helping Hands participants and caregivers prepare to embark on a fun-filled week of challenges and growth.
camp activities are possible for all, regardless of their abilities. It is everyone’s fa- vorite week of the year.”
“Sending someone to Helping Hands Camp is a small way that we can help them have a great week of fun, and accomplishment,”
said Braxton-Bragg CEO Rick Stimac. “We are hon- ored to be a part of this program, and make a dif- ference for a camper.”
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Do Engineered Countertops Stain?
The websites and social media pages of major quartz brands are full of bold statements: their products are “completely maintenance free” or offer “care-free maintenance.” Dig deeper and you’ll find detailed advice on stain removal and warnings to avoid strong cleaners and abrasives of any kind.
One well-known brand of engineered quartz advises: “All you need to do is wipe it down with a little warm water and mild soap.” This sounds appealing, but war- rants a closer look to see how these prod- ucts hold up to both staining and cleaning. Regardless of what type of surface one uses, upkeep will be a part of life with any surface—although if someone does invent a self-cleaning countertop, please do let me know!
This article is the second in a series ex- ploring the properties of manufactured quartz products. Just as our geology series shares information on the properties of nat- ural stone like granite, marble, and quartz- ite, it is also important to shed light on synthetic products that seek to imitate nat- ural stone. Many people are curious about the differences between natural stone and
Karin Kirk
usenaturalstone.com
Photos and Charts by Karin Kirk, Natural Stone Institute
manufactured surfaces, and my approach is always the same: be wary of marketing claims, learn as much as you can, under- stand the properties, and be informed.
The Setup
It’s true that engineered quartz products are resistant to staining. However, they are not immune to staining, and in most cases, when they do stain, it presents a dilemma. Mild cleaners are insufficient to remove tough stains, and harsher cleaners or scrub- bing pads have the potential to damage the surface. To sort out the details, I did sev- eral rounds of testing with various staining agents, cleaners, sponges, and scrubbers.
I tested five major brands: Caesarstone, Cambria, PentalQuartz, Silestone Nebula, and Viatera.
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Training & Education
My test included five brands of quartz and hundreds of tests of staining, cleaning, and scrubbing.