Q&A: How frequently do I need to reseal my granite kitchen countertops?

My contractor told me I should reseal my granite countertops periodically to protect them from stains. How do I know when it's time to reseal them?

Granite, limestone, and marble countertops are all different, so check with the fabricator to see what the recommended time period for resealing is. But if your kitchen countertops get a lot of use, the general rule of thumb is to reseal them every six months, according to Andy Graves, of the Fabricator Network trade group. Graves suggests you do a water-absorption test to get an idea of how fast water is penetrating the stone and whether the counters need resealing.

To test, put a few drops of water on the stone in high-use areas, such as around the sink and range or cooktop, and let the water stand for 15 minutes. The water should bead up. If it doesn't, it's time to get the granite resealed.

You can also use this test on butcher block and other wood countertops that have an oil finish. You do not need to reseal a wood counter with a polyurethane finish, however when this finish is worn or damaged, repair or refinish it.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: Read our latest report on countertops and check out the ratings (available to subscribers) to find the best material for your home. If you're remodeling our kitchen, use our updated Kitchen-Planning Guide.

Q&A: How can I lower the level of radon in my home?

Long-term radon testing revealed that the radon level near our countertops is very low but the level in the basement is 3.6 picocuries per liter. Should I do anything to remediate the problem?

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and your risk of lung cancer is especially high if you smoke and your the radon level in your home is elevated.

The EPA recommends remediating radon when the indoor-air level of radon is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. The EPA also says that radon levels below that can still pose a health risk and recommends that you consider remediation when the level is above 2 and under 4 pCi/L. The average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L, and for outside air its about 0.4 pCi/L.

Radon, a radioactive gas, results from the natural decay of uranium that's present in most soils and can enter the home through cracks and holes in the foundation. The radon level of your neighbors' homes isn't an indicator of the level in your home since levels can vary widely property by property. Read our report on radon test kits, which includes buying advice and ratings of short-term and long-term kits.

You can temporarily reduce radon levels by increasing ventilation—opening windows, doors, and vents in your basement. But once they're closed, the radon level usually returns to its previous level within about 12 hours. The EPA suggests hiring a qualified radon contractor to fix the problem. We advise against taking on this work on your own since you might increase the radon level or stir up other problems.

To find a certified radon-remediation contractor, consult the EPA's list of radon contact information for each state or the National Environmental Health Association or the National Radon Safety Board. Remediation will cost $800 to $2,500, depending on the radon-reduction system used and the characteristics of your home.

For advice on selecting a contractor, use this information from the EPA. Be sure to get several bids and check references.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential reading: Learn more about the issue of radon and granite countertops in our latest report on countertops and in this blog entry.

Consumer Reports' 2009 Kitchen Special: Leaner, greener kitchen remodels are on tap

Gone are the days when cash-out refinancing fueled kitchen renovations with glitzy granite countertops and state-of-the-art appliances. (This also seems to be the era of "phasing" projects.) As covered in our brand-new "Top Kitchen and Bath Values" report, part of the August 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, two-thirds of homeowners surveyed said they'll be spending less, doing more of the work themselves, and buying more-efficient appliances.

Below you'll find a listing of the product reports and other stories in this special section. And don't forget to use our revamped Kitchen-Planning Guide, which can help you save thousands of dollars on your kitchen remodel.

Buying appliances: Learn about money-saving tactics and find the best retailers.

Refrigerators: Lower-cost top-freezer models are making a comeback. Our ratings (available to subscribers) also include top performers in other styles. As with all our appliance coverage, we show the most reliable brands and ways to decide whether your existing refrigerator can be saved.

Cooking appliances: Find the best-performing ranges, wall ovens, cooktops and microwaves. We'll also help you decide between a range and a cooktop/wall-oven combo or between an over-the range microwave and a range hood.

Dishwashers: A $400 recommended model and $550 Best Buy lead the latest ratings. The story also includes advice on the pros, cons, and costs of turbo sprayers, stainless-steel interiors, half-load options, and filters.

Countertops: We rated quartz, granite, tile, laminate, steel, concrete, butcher block and more materials for strength and cost.

Flooring: Bamboo and plastic laminates have improved, but some brands resist wear better than others. We also found difference in performance within the same brands.

Garbage disposers: After pushing hundreds of pounds of beef bones and vegetables through 15 continuous-feed and s batch-mode models, we found a pair of sub-$165 top performers. Watch the video above to see how we test garbage disposers.

Appliances forums: We've revamped our always-busy forums with a new format that will let you quickly find info on particular types and models of large and small kitchen appliances.

Stay tuned to this blog and the Kitchen-Planning Guide over the coming weeks for a additional articles and videos with additional information from our reports and tests on all of the above products.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Esential information: Find 15 top-rated products for summer projects that will save you time and money.

Remodeling tips for first-time home buyers

A glut of unsold homes and plummeting prices are luring more first-time buyers into the market. According to a recent story in The Wall Street Journal, first-time home buyers made up more than 40 percent of all buyers at the end of 2008, up from 36 percent in 2006—when boomburgs and boomburbs were, well, booming.

If you're a recent first-time home buyer, you know what it's like to sign the roughly 439 closing-related documents, pay your lawyer and others who get a piece of the action (perhaps a buyer's broker, the title company, et al.), and put the key in the front door for the first time. The home is finally all yours.

And so is the Depression-era boiler, the 1960s paneling in the family room, or the mismatched array of disco-generation appliances. If you're planning major remodeling, renovating, or redecorating, use our Home Improvement Guide (shown). The free interactive is based on our unbiased, independent tests and includes information on dozens of products, including those mentioned below as well as mattresses, air conditioners, closet organizers, paints and stains, smoke and CO alarms, vacuum cleaners, and snow blowers.

• For a bathroom sink, consider an undermount model for its easy cleanup or a drop-in type for its lower cost and easier installation. You can also save in the bathroom by choosing a single-handle design for the faucet and vinyl tiles or planks for the floor. Learn more about bathroom remodeling.

• In our tests of kitchen flooring, plastic laminate has actually proved tougher than solid wood and engineered wood. Even bamboo did far better than before, though it's expensive.

• For your kitchen countertop, quartz—also called engineered stone and sold under such brand names as Caesarstone and Silestone—mimics natural stone better than ever, often costs less than granite and marble, and never needs resealing. You can also save by opting for today's better-looking laminate.

• When buying a range, look for a model with at least one large gas burner or higher-wattage electric element. And think twice before choosing a pro-style range. Many other ranges provide can comparable or better performance and greater overall reliability.

• When you need to replace your washing machine or dryer, focus on the washer, since performance of washing machines varies far more than it does among dryers.—Bob Markovich

Buzzword: Recessionista

What it means. Rooted in the fashion world, recessionista describes a style maven who stays ahead of the trends without falling too deeply into debt. It joins other reeling-economy Buzzwords, including boomerang children, brickor mortis, and staycation, as well frugalista, which William Safire wrote about in his "On Language" column in the November 23, 2008, edition of The New York Times Magazine.

Why the buzz? Recessionista is relevant to home improvement, too, especially in these tough times. In 2009, the average consumer will spend $1,300 to undertake 2.8 remodeling projects at home, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute. Obviously that money isn't going to buy dramatic changes for your abode, but it is possible to add style and function on a budget.

Buy second-hand. Clothes hounds shop at consignment shops and thrift stores. For the home, you can buy gently used appliances and building products at salvage shops and Habitat for Humanity-run Habitat ReStores and through organizations like Green Demolitions. Freecycle, an online network used by people to trade household items, is another option.

Accessorize your spaces. This rule gets the most mileage in the kitchen. Whereas new cabinets can cost many thousands of dollars, updating the hardware and applying crown molding, for instance, will transform the look of your kitchen for a small fraction of the cost. For the interiors, inexpensive cabinet organizers improve function and capacity.

Look for alternative materials. In our latest test of countertops, laminates were singled out for their wide variety of patterns and colors. Among flooring, the best plastic laminates actually wore better than most wood, for as little as half the cost. Read more about this option in "10 Questions for . . . Fernando Pages Ruiz, Contractor."

Enhance the lighting. You can create flattering lighting at home with a minimal investment by installing dimmer switches, which allow you to adjust light levels depending on the activity, say high for cleaning and low for dining. Task lighting will make your home a safe, inviting place for people of all ages and abilities. Another easy way to save with lighting is to install compact fluorescent lightbulbs. 

Get your house in shape. Fashion freaks might lose a few pounds to squeeze into a gotta-have-it bargain buy. At home, you need to gain rather than lose—that is, boost the energy efficiency of your space. If single-pane windows are failing, replacement windows can save you 10 to 25 percent per year on heating and cooling and enhance the curb appeal of your home. Plugging air leaks in the attic and walls will save energy and eliminate uncomfortable drafts.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Before you start your next remodel, check out our Home Improvement Guide interactive, which offers buying advice on appliances, tools, and building materials.

Radon in countertops question stays in the news

Do granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radon? That question continues to get attention, as evidenced by a front-page story in the Home section of the July 24, 2008, edition of The New York Times. “What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?” the headline inquires ominously in the story by Kate Murphy.

We reported on this very subject last month in Buzzword: Radon, which noted that there’s not much evidence that granite countertops release harmful amounts of this potentially dangerous gas into homes. Radon remains the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country.

We recently tested 11 do-it-yourself radon test kits. Look for our report and ratings of these kits in the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and online in early August.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Learn how to deal with radon.

10 Questions for . . . Andy Graves, Countertop Fabricator

In this installment of 10 Questions for . . ., Associate Editor Kimberly Janeway speaks with Andy Graves, owner of Olive Mill, a countertop fabricator/installer in Anaheim, California. Graves has been in the business for 22 years, and runs two Web sites about countertops, one for consumers and another for the trade. Here he offers his advice about buying, installing, and maintaining kitchen countertops.

What's hot in countertops?
Green materials, including product like Vetrazzo, IceStone, Paperstone, UrbanSlabs, EcoTop, Richlite, and many others. You can see the complete list of eco-friendly products at CountertopReview.com, my consumer Web site.

(Consumer Reports recently tested Richlite, a paper-composite countertop. Find out how it and other materials performed by researching our countertop Ratings, available to subscribers.)

What's crucial when choosing a counter?
Knowing your expectations. Many customers want the "perfect" material, and it doesn't exist. Customers need to find the material that fits their lifestyle. How much maintenance are you willing to do? Granite, concrete, tile, and wood all need sealers applied periodically. Can you afford this material? People need to find a great product that fits their budget.

What important detail do your customers ignore when selecting a material?
Seams. Because the samples never have seams in stores, customers just don't think about them and when they don't, they're usually disappointed when the counter is installed because the seams draw your attention. Solid surface, stainless steel, and wood have seams that can be finished to be virtually inconspicuous. And poured concrete can be one piece if done on site. But granite, quartz, laminate, glass, paper composite and marble have noticeable seams that can be seen and felt. And remember, the larger the top, the more seams.

Laminates are in wide use and did well in our recent tests. Why does this material remain so popular?
It's a great product and it's inexpensive. The newer ones come in a wider array of colors. The seams are minimal and there's no grout. Laminate is also very durable and can last a long time.

Undermount sinks are popular but not every material is suitable for such an installation. Which materials can be used with this type of sink?
A waterproof material is preferred—solid surface, stainless steel, and quartz are your best choices. Wood, granite, and concrete are also good choices, but make absolutely sure that they are thoroughly sealed. If the countertop material is sealed, you shouldn't have a problem with water damage.

Which materials can be used for seamless sinks, where you use the same material for the sink and counter?
Choose solid surface, stainless, or concrete when you want to use the same material for the sink and counter. (The photo right, courtesy of Olive Mill, shows a seamless solid-surface installation.)

Some countertop companies advertise prices in square feet, others in linear feet. What's the difference?
Not many companies charge based on linear feet. It has gone towards square feet, which is the basic length, or running feet, multiplied by the width. Linear feet and running feet are the same thing, a figure that represents the total length of countertops along the wall. But don't count the inside corner twice.

Vintage Consumer Reports: Kitchen countertops

Fifty years ago, we used a wide range of materials, including ammonia, coffee, drain cleaner, ink, juices (beet, grape, and lemon), mustard, shoe polish, tea, and vinegar, to test kitchen countertops for durability, ease of maintenance, and stain resistance (photo, right).

Our testers pitted, stained, and scraped rigid plastic laminates (then-new Formica), flexible plastic laminates, calendared and printed vinyls, and linoleum against traditional materials like wood and stainless steel.

Stainless steel proved, well, stainable and earned a poor rating because it discolored severely from application of some common materials; wood also stained badly. A natural material (ceramic tile) and a synthetic product (Formica) topped the overall ratings.

Jump ahead 50 years to our latest countertops report, for which we beat up butcher block, ceramic tile, granite, limestone, marble, and stainless steel as well as materials like concrete, paper composite, quartz (engineered stone), and solid surface. See how we test countertops in the video, right.

Quartz and granite finished at the top of the rankings. The top two 1958 counter materials, ceramic tile and plastic laminate proved to be very good this time around. Plastic laminate has come full circle and is now being offering in a series of modernized 1950s patterns, like crisscross and boomerang. You'll find more details on our latest tests in our Ratings (available to subscribers).—Gian Trotta

Essential information: For more "counter intelligence," learn how to maintain your kitchen counters and read our money-saving secrets of a successful remodel. Uncover more Vintage Consumer Reports: toasters (1956), air conditioners (1957), general appliance woes (1967), and ceiling fans (1982).

Buzzword: Radon

What it means. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that results from the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock. The gas moves up from the ground and can diffuse into the air or enter a home, typically through cracks and holes in the foundation or concrete slab. (Radon can also enter the home through well water and by way of some building materials). The presence of radon in the home can pose a danger to your health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country.

Why the buzz? Radon has been in the news recently with reports that some granite countertops can release dangerous levels of radon. This isn't a new claim—it surfaced in the 1990s—and it's fairly controversial. In April 2008, BuildClean, a nonprofit that aims to educate consumers about safe and healthy building materials, made news when it announced that its pilot project would provide free in-home radon testing of 300 homes in Houston to determine whether granite countertops emit harmful levels of radon. It's worth noting that two big makers of quartz countertops, Cambria and Cosentino (which also sells granite counters), are the sole funders of BuildClean. "By its nature, granite emits radon—the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.," said Sara Speer Selber, BuildClean's president, in a press release at the time.

Next, in early May, W.J. Llope, Ph.D., a senior faculty fellow at the T.W. Bonner Nuclear Laboratory at Rice University in Houston, released a report in which he analyzed 18 articles covering 95 granite samples. In "Radiation and Radon from Natural Stone" (PDF download), Llope reported that 92 of the granite samples emitted no or very little radon, though two were in the 3.1-to-3.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) range, and one registered 4.2. (These measurements assume a hypothetical unventilated room, not a standard home, according to Llope's study.) The EPA estimates that the average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L and suggests that you reduce radon when the level in your home is 4 pCi/L or higher.

Bamboo is growing in the home

Consumer Reports has tested bamboo towels, bamboo flooring, and even bamboo plates, many touting the claimed green aspects of these products. And last week we saw all kinds of bamboo offerings at the 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, including Rio Grande Imports' Zoom bamboo bath sink, Totally Bamboo's bamboo countertop panels for kitchens and baths, and Teragren's Studio bamboo flooring.

Learn about the latest green-themed bamboo products in the video (right) featuring Bob Markovich, Home editor of Consumer Reports.