Granite is one of the strongest and durable stones that finds a lot of use in various industries. The stone is aesthetically appealing and is used in making may different architectural and artistic products. When used in a place, it is usually a symbol of quality and elegance. The use of the stone is in both interior and exterior application in residential, commercial as well as industrial buildings. In Baltimore granite stones are held in high esteem because of the high reputation they command. Many citizens prefer having the stone in their homes because they understand its value.
One of the major applications for this stone is in the building industry. Externally, the material is used in the construction of pavements, monuments, bridges, and buildings among others. Internally, the material is used in the form of polished slabs and tiles that are used to make tile floors, countertops, stair treads, and desktops among others. Use in the making of countertops is one of the major uses for this material.
Most construction materials are prone to structural problems and granites are not excepted. There are only two classes of these problems, that is human-caused problems and naturally-occurring problems. Natural causes emanate from natural processes that are not influenced by human activities.
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 not indicative of failure taking place in the stone, but failure in construction system. Joints and connectors are the main points of such failure. Various methods of repair can be used to correct detachment easily. Detachment is usually accelerated and worsened by water that penetrates through the joints formed.
Efflorescence is usually indicated by the presence of whitish deposits that are locally placed on the surface of the rock. The whitish appearance may result from improper cleaning agents, mortar, chemical landscaping treatments, air pollution, de-icing salts, or rising damp. However, not all whitish deposits are indicative of efflorescence.
One of the major applications for this stone is in the building industry. Externally, the material is used in the construction of pavements, monuments, bridges, and buildings among others. Internally, the material is used in the form of polished slabs and tiles that are used to make tile floors, countertops, stair treads, and desktops among others. Use in the making of countertops is one of the major uses for this material.
Most construction materials are prone to structural problems and granites are not excepted. There are only two classes of these problems, that is human-caused problems and naturally-occurring problems. Natural causes emanate from natural processes that are not influenced by human activities.
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 not indicative of failure taking place in the stone, but failure in construction system. Joints and connectors are the main points of such failure. Various methods of repair can be used to correct detachment easily. Detachment is usually accelerated and worsened by water that penetrates through the joints formed.
Efflorescence is usually indicated by the presence of whitish deposits that are locally placed on the surface of the rock. The whitish appearance may result from improper cleaning agents, mortar, chemical landscaping treatments, air pollution, de-icing salts, or rising damp. However, not all whitish deposits are indicative of efflorescence.
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