undermount sink question

15 years ago

Should there be some kind of a seal between an undermount sink and granite countertop? I just noticed mine is not sealed....it was just installed about a week ago.

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Comments (8)

azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
silicone or acrylic caulk should be used ONLY as a water seal to prevent leakage.

the sink itself should be supported using mechanical means - either via
clips installed into the underside of the stone, or via a cradle mechanism -
holding the sink in place from under the sink.

an undermount sink should never be installed using ONLY a glue to silicone
bead to hold it against the underside of the stone - that's what pretend
fabricators do.....

call your fabricator back to address this at once.... be assertive but be nice -
they could have just made an honest mistake.....

HTH

kevin
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nekothecat
Original Author
15 years ago
Kevin - the sink is installed using clips - what I really need to know is should there be a silicone caulk as well to seal between the sink and countertop? Because right now there is just open space.
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Undermount sinks are usually held with clips that screw into the underside of the granite or cleats that are secured to the cabinet sides. Both are removable, no worries. Are you stuck on china? Metal or composite would be a safer choice if you're looking to minimize damage. Metal can flex to avoid dings, textured metals (hammered finish, for example) are even better. Man-made composites resist dings very well, but they can be scratched. Scratches can be buffed out, though. As to repairing a china sink, some dings can be patched, some can not. I've never really seen a "pretty" repair. Have you tried spray adhesive for your husband? I quick shot to the palm of each hand might improve his grip. Best, Mongo
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undermount sink question
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Comments (3)
old, I'm a computer idiot so don't know how to post a thread here, but you can go to the bottom of the page and where it says "search" type in "undermount sink." Then do the search. The first post that comes up is a very good one on this exact issue. I myself finally decided to go with a slight positive reveal on my Shaw sink. One thing was the gunk factor that is mentioned, the other was the idea that you could "wop" a pot on the bottom edge of the granite as you were pulling the pot out of the sink with a negative reveal. My other thought was that I might buy a stainless sink grid for my Shaw sink and I was not sure I could fit it in if I had a negative reveal on the sink. Hope you get what all I'm saying here. But, bottom line to any and all of this......it is your final choice to make. Good luck.
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Try HomePerfect.com... Blanco 441-024. It's 26" inside (28" outside), 9" deep. That's the one I got for a 33" sink base. If you shop around don't be fooled by the "low price guarantee" from OverstockDeals (NOT the same as Overstock) as they actually "do not guarantee the LOWEST price"...kind of a play on words and a scam that I got involved with!!
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Help ASAP! Granite installed tomorrow - undermount sink question
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There are pros & cons for each type of reveal: Positive--where the sink shows/granite is cut slightly larger than sink Pros: easier to clean b/c you can see the gunk and can easily wipe it off (it only gets nasty if you leave it there) Cons: silicone (caulk?) is visible, but if they use clear you won't see it when it dries Negative--where the granite overhangs the sink Pros: You cannot see the gunk buildup or silicone Cons: -- You cannot see the gunk to clean it. -- Dirty water/food can splash up & under where you cannot see to clean it. It's difficult to see underneath w/o leaning way over & into the sink. -- Dishes have been known to break b/c when you lift them out near the edge of the sink they dish hits the stone counter & can break (or, if the dish wins, the counter could chip...but I'm not sure how likely that is). Flush--where the granite & sink are the same Pros: -- easier to clean b/c you can see the gunk -- no platform over or under for the gunk to collect Cons: -- more difficult to do perfectly -- silicone is visible, but if they use clear you won't see it when it dries You will find proponents of all three types of reveals here...but in the end it's what works best for you. Good luck tomorrow!
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katiee511
15 years ago
nekothecat - ours was installed on Thursday. After the granite was in place and the sink secured, my installers did put a bead of clear silicone between the sink and counter, smoothed it in and wiped it down. It's not too visible, I just happened to watch them do the whole install. Good Luck.
0
Circus Peanut
15 years ago
Yes, there should be a bead of silicone between the top of the sink and the counter edge, to prevent water getting under there. Easy to do yourself - just get good quality 100% silicone caulk.
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azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
Sorry for the late response - it's 6:45am here in PHX........

Circuspeanut said it 100% right.... YES you DO need a bead of either
Silicone or Acrylic Caulk to act as a water barrier / seal - between the
top rim of the sink and the bottom surface of the stone.

You can either have your Fabricators come back to do it (which is what
I would do if I were you - YOU paid for this to be done right in the first place)
or..... you could do it yourself if you're so inclined......

HTH

kevin
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stw954
15 years ago
As long as this subject is here, what IS the difference between acrylic versus silicone caulk?
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azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
acrylic is water based - 100% silicone is not....

either will work - if your doing it yourself - acrylic is way easier to finish
with a wet sponge or rag than silicone.

100% Silicone on the other hand has a much more tenacious bond to a sink
and to stone, and must be cleaned off (when it's just been applied) with
de-natured alcohol. Silicone also has a really strong vinegar smell when
it is applied - but that goes away after a few hours of curing.

we use 100% Silicone - because I've been working with it for close to 35 years.
Usually I use either GE, Dap or Dow Corning - I don't waste my time & money on the "Silicone II"
or the "Siliconized" brands - for me - 100% Silicone is the way to go.........

Acrylic is easy to use, but silicone will last longer IMHO

kevin
0
stw954
15 years ago
Thank you. I seem to remember something about that silicone doesn't bond...to itself? to other substances? maybe paint? Maybe that was just for caulking around a tub? Maybe...

Who knows, but I appreciate you clearing that up.
0

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undermount sink question

Comments (8)

azstoneconsulting

nekothecat
Original Author

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Circus Peanut

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undermount sink question

Comments (8)

azstoneconsulting

nekothecatOriginal Author

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katiee511

Circus Peanut

azstoneconsulting

stw954

azstoneconsulting

stw954

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nekothecat
Original Author