I do know that IKEA cabs are all about level. When Fla. Joshua installed our soapstone he spent alot of time checking and tweaking our base cabs to insure level. We assembled and installed ourselves and I thought DH was being overly thorough about everything being level. When it came time for the countertop; Joshua was even more so. I can't say for sure, but I'd guess the problem may have something to do with that.

What a shame! Maybe an expert like Florida Joshua can answer?? I have barocca, a softer stone, but nothing like this has happened (of course I don't have a cooktop like this, it's a stand alone). So sorry for this problem!

Oldhouse: I don't know the answer to most of your questions, but I know what I would do if it were mine. It is a little hard to say exactly without knowing what cabinet was used for the cooktop area.

Start by getting the installation manuals for the cooktop. I know it was used, but they can probably find the manual online. If not, just get one from a similar cooktop -- they are pretty generic. Yes, you need something to support the perimeter, or probably just the two long sides of the cooktop. You could build a frame, or more likely just put 2x2 or 2x4 supports along the front and back (keeping the required distances from the cooktop in the manual). However, rather than building a frame, I would seriously consider using a Sink Setter. That would be very easy to install and adjust.

To mitigate the cracks, I would first try just stuffing black or gray epoxy in the crack, and sanding flush after it cures. (I think your friends may want to leave this to the fabricator who installed their stone.) Alternately, they or the fabricator could undercut or dig out the cracked area a little, and then use epoxy to fill and bond as above. In this case, they probably want to use epoxy that can be colored to match the stone.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Angie- thanks for the idea of the sink setter- I have never heard of one of those, but I'm assuming they are metal? I will be researching these as soon as I finish my thank you to everyone! I was very worried about using wood to do a support beneath the cook top due to the heat, especially in an old house! I did look up the information on the different types of cook tops that KitchenAid has, but unfortunately I could not find much information on support with stone counters. I will keep trying.

There's still concern with fixing the cracks, as the installer told us that his boss wouldn't let them sand soapstone because none of them knew how to do it. Can you imagine!?! I did give him Florida Joshua's info and asked him to call him (back during the install) so that he could learn all about the wonders of the stone. Not sure if he ever did. We are so in need of good soapstone installers here in the PDX.

Sorry, I should have linked it. Yes, it is metal. Metal bars that span the sink area, and have screws to lift up and support the edge of the sink. I used one for my sink. I think it would work well in this case.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sink Setter

OK, back with an update on my neighbors soapstone saga.

The company that has installed the soapstone would like to epoxy all the cracks, of which there are now 4 around the cook top. The soapstone has at least a quarter of an inch of play at the front edge, where one can rock it easily with minimal effort over the 36 inch span. They also propose reinforcing the cabinet to make it more level (Ikea cabs). We will be suggesting the sink setter to them.

The company 'experts' who came out to look at the stone kept repeating they've 'never seen a stone do this before.'

The questions I now have is, could it be possible that this stone is somehow not strong enough to support the cook top in the first place. Btw- kitchenaid does NOT recommend support under their stove tops (Ceran top). So, we will not be supporting the actual cook top, but just the stone around it, if that makes sense. Or, could the stone be defective in some way.

Anyone who may have had similar incidence- how are your epoxied cracks holding up?

Any soapstone experts out there, please help if you can as they are ready to rip out this stone from frustration!

Somebody pointed out on another thread that if soapstone is epoxied,you need to let the installers know whether you will be oiling or leaving the stone natural so they can use the appropriate color of epoxy.

The stone installer should make sure the support is there before he installs the stone -- and he's generally responsible for advising if there is insufficient support or adding support for the stone. This especially true if there is a cutout like you have here. I am assuming the countertop folks made the cutout?

It's also possible there was a problem with the cooktop installation, but in any event there should have been solid support under the stone.

But I don't know the specifics of this installation.

Is it possible anyone sat or stood on the front edge of the countertop, or put their weight on it when installing the hood, upper cabinets, or reaching in the cabinets? It is a no-no to climb on stone countertops.

Billy

Thanks so much for your responses! Yes, the cutouts were all done by the stone company. Also, Kitchenaid does NOT recommend supports under their cook tops. We spoke with someone from the company specifically to have that information in case they tried to blame that.

I actually helped install the hood, with the homeowner. At no time did we stand on or apply full weight on the counter top or it's edge. I also did the tile work, and took extreme care to not lean on the edges, for fear of possible scratching of the stone (it's much softer than my own soapstone). We installed the hood several months ago also, and this kitchen has just now showed the cracks within this past month.

The 36 inch cabinet from Ikea does not appear to be level on it's front edge and appears to have dropped a bit in it's center. Not sure if the two drawers in this cabinet have been overloaded, although the drawers function just fine. The person representing the Ikea installer, thinks this cabinet's front is pretty normal, and she's never seen stone do this before 'in similar installations.'

The soapstone installer never checked for level since 'that is only done at templating' and they 'don't check for level again after that,' according to the rep from the stone company. The initial rep for the stone install company actually accused the homeowner of jumping on the counter since 'that is the only way this could have happened.'

At no time has it been suggested by either company's reps to reinforce this 3 cm stone. When we suggested it, they said, 'well, we could' once it's epoxied. But, they really weren't sure since they've 'never seen this problem before.'

Btw, all the above quotes were actual things heard while the reps were trying to figure out what to do.

I can't believe this has never happened anywhere! Anyone else out there with suggestions or thoughts? And thanks again so very much.