A countertop is meant to be a durable surface that provides invaluable workspace in the kitchen. But regardless of what material you select for a counter, it might have damaged over time, even when you’re careful around it. If your countertop develops a crack, then you don’t have to replace the whole surface. The perfect method to fix a cracked counter is dependent on what it is made of, but also a novice do-it-yourselfer should be able to attack the job without a lot of trouble.
Smooth Stone
To get a crack at a countertop made of stone, like granite or marble utilize epoxy resin to combine the 2 parts of stone back together. Choose an epoxy that is crystal clear or coloured to match the stone just. Wash the cracked area first with acetone to remove any grease, dirt or other film from the stone and allow the area to dry completely. Safeguard the nondamaged countertop with a dropcloth or vinyl sheet. Mix the epoxy resin with its hardening agent after the manufacturer’s directions and spread it over the crack using a horizontal wooden rod — start with a small amount and add more, if needed. You can use a utility knife or razor blade to scrape off any excess before letting it dry, which may take two to 72 hours for it to completely heal.
Fill In Laminate
To get a laminate countertop fix, use a particular filler product matched to the shade of the countertop for a seamless finish. Start by cleaning the surface with trisodium phosphate or a different heavy-duty cleanser that could dissolve grease and eliminate any other residue. Permit the area to dry completely before squeezing a little amount of the laminate filler on a scrap of old laminatefloors Use a putty knife to carefully fill in the crack and work the filler before it thickens. Immediately clean up any extra filler with a cloth dampened with the filler solvent product urged from the filler maker. The filler usually requires one to three days to heal completely.
Seal Concrete
To get a concrete countertop, it is possible to repair a crack with the same sort of epoxy resin as used for a good stone surface. The benefit of utilizing epoxy concrete is that it also doesn’t take a separate sealer product. Matching the epoxy to the countertop color is key, since it can easily make the concrete appear darker. First, clean the cracked area with pH-neutral cleanser designed for concrete to remove any residue. Then mix the 2 components of the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s directions — but do it just before filling in the crack as some epoxy begins to set almost immediately. Smooth on the smallest amount of epoxy necessary to fill the crack with a putty knife. Remove any surplus with the knife instantaneously, because after it hardens, you’ll have to sand the surface to eliminate it.
Replace Tile
When a tile countertop develops a crack, removing the damaged shingles and replacing them offers the best means to fix the surface. If you don’t have spare tiles available, it is possible to fill at the crack with a paintable, waterproof epoxy. Wash the area with trisodium phosphate to remove any grease and residue and allow it to dry completely. Apply a little bit of the epoxy, using a toothpick to push it in the crack. Once the epoxy dries in line with the manufacturer’s directions, touch up along the crack with an oil-based paint that matches the tile color.