Damage to edge of counter around undermount sink?

debrak_2008

13 years ago

Our kitchen counter will be either solid granite (if the price is right) or granite tiles. With either I am concerned about the granite edge around the undermount sink.

Right now I have a top mount SS sink on laminate. I tend to balance pots on the edge while draining water, etc. This area is scratched.

I imagine damage to the granite as time passes. Should I be concerned?

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Comments (8)

Fori
13 years ago
You might have to stop doing that!

Maybe get a double sink so you can balance on the divider?
melissastar
13 years ago
Nah....granite is nearly bulletproof. My undermount sink and granite countertop suffered all kinds of abuses for 8 years and NOTHING hurt it. Now the edge on my new soapstone counter...that's a different story!!!
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We are getting ready to refinish our wood counter tops. They are over 10 years old and received no maintenance during that time. Except for heavy wear areas (i.e., the outer edge in front of the sink), all the damage is from water: dish drainers to the sides of the sink, the path between the sink and the dishwasher, around the faucet (which has a very small leak), and where the counter meets the sink. The latter two have mildew rot. Notice that the sink is smaller than the cutout in the counter, leaving a lip for water to accumulate (the hole was cut using a template included with the sink - they probably use larger holes today). I would agree with riverspots and andersons: had we given it regular maintenance (recaulk, recoat, and replace faucet gaskets every 2-3 years) it is possible that it wouldn't need to be refinished now. Note that, to maintain the appearance, you have to recoat BEFORE the finish cracks. If afterwards, you'll have to settle with the visible defect or refinish the entire counter. The butcher block counter was original finished with an indoor polyurethane. This time we will use a marine coating. And we'll find a dish drainer that doesn't get any water at all on the counter. Also, if your installing wood, try to avoid faucets that mount directly on the wood.
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tress21
13 years ago
I think it depends on your particular granite, your edge style, and usage. In our house, the edge of the granite was badly chipped in several areas around the sink. The granite was patterened and the chipped areas really weren't noticeable unless you were down at eye level, or ran your finger along the edge. However, this scared me enough that we rounded the edges of our new countertops at the sinks. They are quartz, and don't have a pattern. I was afraid that chips would be much more noticeable. I really like the look of the sharp 1/8" eased edges, but we are heavy (careless?) kitchen users, and they just weren't right for us.
debrak_2008
Original Author
13 years ago
fori, We plan to use a single basin sink. I guess I could change my ways...but a big pot of pasta is heavy!

melissastar, good to hear you granite faired well. I love soapstone by DH does not :(

tress21, I'm thinking AB or steel gray, something with black. Any chance you could post a photo of your edge? Our kitchen takes alot of abuse, which is why I want granite.
melissastar
13 years ago
DEbrak...as tress21 says it may have to do with the granite you choose. I prop pots up against the edge of my sink all the time too and am really rough on my kitchen, but my granite never showed any signs of wear or abuse. It was Verde Maritaca...not one I see mentioned often and I'm not sure if it IS a tougher granite or not. Given how it fared for me, I assume it must have been.

Good luck...
MCMesprit
13 years ago
We just installed granite with a single-basin blanco silgranit under mount sink. We were concerned about the same issues of chipping, especially as we went with a 1/8" eased cut edge. We asked the fabricator to give us a positive reveal of 1/4 inch around the sink so we could at least avoid hitting the granite with pots etc... So far so good, although we have already managed to cause a tiny chip in the counter in front of the island cook top (another problem area :( Still, we love the granite....
marcydc
13 years ago
Put a folded dishtowel there before dumping that pasta!
debrak_2008
Original Author
13 years ago
MCM, the positve reveal is something to consider.

Marcy, the towel is a simple solution. Maybe I'll start using a towel now just to get in the habit.

Thank you to all.

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Damage to edge of counter around undermount sink?

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Fori

melissastar

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Damage to edge of counter around undermount sink?

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Fori

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