Crack in Granite at front of Kitchen Sink

First, I would like to thank you for providing such a wonderful source of information especially for those of us who don't know much about the application and care of stone. Here's my concern. We installed Cougan Green Granite countertops in our kitchen almost 6 years ago. A few months ago I noticed a 3”-4” hair line crack in that 3” wide section of granite running across the front of my stainless steel double, under counter mounted sink. I initially thought it was a natural fissure in the stone and that it was not a problem. However, that crack has now increased to 14” in length. Although, it does not appear to be cracked through to the underside. (It may be of value to note that it did increase in length on both sides of the initial crack but, more so growing longer toward the one sink that contains the garbage disposal and is used most often.) I had two separate Marble and Stone “Restoration” companies come in to advise me on repair. They both suggested that it be filled with an epoxy, removing the excess with a blade and/or grind to a smooth finish. My concern is that this may not truly be a permanent solution. I then had an acquaintance who does granite fabrication come in to see what his suggestion might be. He looked under the sink (which the “Restoration” companies didn't even do.), and noticed that my 36” sink was mounted in a 33” cabinet with the sides of the cabinet cut out to accommodate the size of the sink. The sink is situated in a corner of the kitchen with empty space underneath the counter top between the next cabinet on one side and dishwasher on the other side. The Granite Fabricator feels that the sink needs additional vertical support. He said that when he installs an under counter mounted sink in granite he reinforces it with steel rods or straps horizontally under the front and back sides of the sink. He suggested maybe removing the dishwasher next to sink and installing a vertical 2 X 4 piece of wood underneath the sink. I do believe he is on the right track and that the area does need to be made more structurally sound. Unfortunately, he said he didn't want to risk it in case in the process he accidentally did crack the whole piece. Especially because he felt he could not get another piece of Cougan Green granite to match. He mentioned that maybe one of his fabricators could do this as a side job so that his company would not be responsible. What advise could you give us. I don't feel that anyone will really want to do the proper job in fear that greater damage may occur in the process. What type of company would be willing to do the structural work? Would they also remove the dishwasher if that is the right approach to take? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you. J. Nash – Ft Lauderdale, FL

 

Dear Judy:

What can I tell you? It is not an easy situation to solve: no matter what you will try to do the risk is high and after six years is totally on you.

Using epoxy was not the right answer: first off, epoxy is not thin enough to fill a tight crack; second, the best glue/filler to use under the circumstances would be Cyanoacrylate glue (a.k.a. superglue). But the point is that obviously your situation is not stabilized, and therefore even using the right glue/filler to do the repair could not offer any guarantee that the result will be permanent.

The fabricator you consulted with is right: proper rodding should have been applied in those two narrow strips (which is an indication that your fabricator friend knows what he's doing). But the rodding wasn't done back then…

You're asking me about the right course of action?

If it were my own home I would go with the suggestion of your fabricator-friend. Just be fair and always bear in mind that all risks are exclusively on you.

And if things won't work out… Hey, it's only money! L J

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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