New Quartz countertops sitting on shims.
I recently got a new kitchen installed and picked out Quartz countertops which I love. The problem was only after a few weeks the glue started to come away from my counter and the wall so after waiting for over a month for the fitter to come out and have a look he redid all the silicone and did a great job. I was told it happen because of movement between my cabinet and the wall so he took off my kicker board and readjusted the legs on my units. Now here is the problem. When he was gone I noticed my unit doors are now out of line and my Quartz counter is sitting on shims. I think it looks a mess. Should this have happened? I don't like to say anything because you have to stand back to see it but that piece of Quartz is 8ft long and I don't think it's properly supported. Thanks in advance for any replys.
Comments (6)
Sam Ryan
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen worktop conundrum :(
Comments (5)It sounds like wood worktops just aren't for you and in the long run I'd probably suggest replacing them. If it's just not on the cards financially at the moment then here's my method for keeping them in good nick: Clean the worktops with warm soapy water, dry, then apply mineral oil (also known as liquid paraffin which is used to treat dry skin and can be taken as a laxative so entirely food safe) on them every day till the wood stops absorbing it - usually 3-4 days depending how dry it is. Then place a clean empty glass jar in a pan of hot (not boiling) water, melt pure organic bees wax with mineral oil, leave to set then apply to the counters with a soft cloth. Instructions here: http://www.woodworkersguide.com/2010/01/30/a-beautiful-beeswax-finish-for-cheap/ The benefit of this is every time it starts feeling a little dry or you get patches on it from water/food etc you can clean with warm soapy water, dry, then touch up with more of the wax and it blends it in beautifully (plus as mentioned its fully food safe). You'll also notice after going through this process that drops of water will now 'pool' on the surface of the wax rather than soak in. Keeping the worktops topped up with wax every 6 weeks or so really helps keep them looking great. I do also use a combination of glass surface savers and trivets for hot items. The maintinence of wood worktops is always going to be higher than melamine or quartz type surfaces but personally I love the character of wood tops. This method is only suitable if the surface hasn't previously been treated with poly or varnish but given the description of the stains etc on yours it doesn't sound like it has. My understanding is that once water has turned wood black there's not a lot you can do except sand it (depending how deep the stains go this might not be practical). Or as in your case since its just around the sink you could maybe buy a larger under-mounted sink, cut out the blackened part and install so you are less likely to end up with water sitting on the wood for long periods of time. Hope this helps!...See MoreWidth of Counter top to allow for breakfast bar? – urgent advice pls
Comments (12)I think you see bars (serving beers) with stools and no overhang. These are fine for a social setting where one person might be sitting with their back to the bar chatting to others in the room. If you intend to use the bar for food you need to face the island so will need the recommended leg room. Could you swap the 600 deep cabinets for 300mm deep? The cost of new carcasses might not be too bad. You should also talk to your kitchen fitter as he may be able to install them after the quartz....See MoreNew house restyle
Comments (41)Looks good :) I don't know whether it fits but could the piano go in the radiator corner (although not right in) facing the other way? I might just try painting the picture frames personally. If you've got any left over paint I'd also just paint the radiators in the wall emulsion and see what you think. I don't know whether this would work structurally plus you may hate them (!) but I feel like a hanging chair could work next to the tv. It would need to be a slimmish one and I'd go for one that doesn't visually feel the space too much...See Morewhite quartz countertops
Comments (4)When we chose our worktops I originally had planned a white quartz. I got some samples and imagined my Mother coming over and I tried everything that she may do... I used them as cutting boards with the sharpest knife to cut lemons and I put a boiling hot pan on them. I left curry stains on for 1 week. The only one that came out unscathed was dekton. These are the samples, dekton is on the left and you may see the burn marks on the others. My main issue with dekton is that it can be fragile if something is dropped on it from a height. When we had it installed it broke as the guys were installing it so a week after we got a new worktop and it’s been perfect ever since. We are more relaxed when my Mother pops around and offers to make a cup of tea now......See More
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Emma Kivuva
6 years agoQuartz- stone care...expert, and others, please may I also ask your advice. I have also recently had Silestone work surfaces fitted during a new kitchen installation. My worktop is also held up with plastic bits in several places and in fact the kitchen fitter just pulled some out so now the front of one piece of worktop is unsupported at the front at one end. I am very unhappy with the kitchen installation as lots of things aren’t level. They blame my floor not being level. It is floorboards and probably isn’t absolutely level, but aren’t they supposed to make the cabinets level by altering the screw on the legs? I’d really value any advice. Thank you. Sam, I hope you don’t mind me adding to your post.
Sam Ryan
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago- PRO
Quartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLike all quartz brands and also even granites they must be glue down correctly and with quartz it is silicone and no shims at all, you do not need them if the cabinets are level. First thing any installer should check with a 6" level. side to side, front to back.
I can tell you know that this will void the Silestone warranty or any other manufacturers warranty, from the photos you have shown.
You are correct does not matter if the floors are way out of level, the adjustments on the cabinets will take up the issues there. But sometimes it is also the legs are not weight rated for stone. They use them because the are cheap, but the flex and bow under the load of stone.
The photo below is straight from the Silestone fabrication and installation manual
and this is from our draft manual for one of the major manufacturers.
Your stone counters do not even look like they have been stuck down into place, there is no silicone, nothing!
Ps I know of two members on here that work for Silestone. They generally will pass information on.
Quartz - Stone Care, Cleaning & Repair Experts