Like should I bother installer to come back out and fill the ones I feel or put more sealer on them? Anything like that?

But were you warned ahead of time when purchasing this stone?

I wouldn't say that I did not know what I was getting into-I knew there would be fissures/hairline type cracks on surface. That is okay. I felt the stone at the yard. I was cool with the that. I researched the whole fissure v. crack thing and assumed they would remain hairline type fissures that I could feel. What I do not want, and do not expect to happen, however, is for the stone to crack and come apart and have large gaps that need ugly epoxy repairs, or atleast I want to take steps now to eliminate that risk. I am fine with some texture variances, but I do not want the counter to quite literally fall apart and need to be glued back on, and if there is anything I can do to prevent that, I am all ears, as that is not something I assumed would happen, but some people tell me it could? There is no mesh backing.

This post was edited by heidia on Thu, Oct 31, 13 at 13:59

Why are these other workers commenting on your counter? Are they experts with the material? Sounds like a lot of unsolicited, ill-informed advice. The next time a well meaning person makes a comment, just smile and say you have done extensive research, it was installed correctly, and you are completely comfortable with your choice.

If you have any concerns call your fabricator.

"Why are these other workers commenting on your counter? Are they experts with the material? Sounds like a lot of unsolicited, ill-informed advice. The next time a well meaning person makes a comment, just smile and say you have done extensive research, it was installed correctly, and you are completely comfortable with your choice."

debrak2008:

I respectfully used this thread to comment on the larger problem of fabricators overselling stone.

As for expertise, I am a Certified Corian Fabricator and Installer, Certified Zodiaq Installer, columnist, consultant, stone and solid surface repairperson, Licensed Michigan Builder and am awaiting administrative approval of my Florida Builder's license. The fabrication business I built from nothing and sold now has thirty employees. Some folks think I know a little about what I speak.

heidia asked what the real risk was, she solicited us, and I gave her the best answer I could. If she were "completely comfortable with (her) choice" I doubt she would have asked for help.

Debrak2008-I wouldn't say they are experts, but they do alot of kitchen renovations and say they have seen fissure stone crack apart, which is upsetting to hear. So although not experts, it is something that made me pause and wonder if I should be more vigilant than I had planned in caring for this, etc. But you are probably right, probably just ill advised info? I did go over the two deep fissure areas we were concerned about with my fabricator, and we cut off a large part of it, included the rest in the b/s, and then reinforced the other one...Also felt the other ones were so slight to not even be an issue-I felt comfortable then but got a little put off lately with the info I am getting from people that see kitchens more regularly than I do.

Trebruchet, I think Debrak2008 is referring to the cabinet folks and other workers I am referring to that are working on my site, not any commenters here. Your insight is appreciated. I am truly looking for advice that may prevent a disaster down the line...but maybe I am over thinking it-I felt comfortable before the install but after these comments and being told they have 'seen it before,' which is not something I thought could happen, I do want to prevent it.

In my opinion, heidia asked a reasonable question and deserves a reasonable answer. A steel pole, "just in case" sounds worrisome also that there is "no meshbacking." To say "you've gotten what you paid for and deserve? Really?

To clarify, trebruchet I wasn't referring to you at all. I think you explained it very well and offer a lot to this forum.

Just saying if the drywall guy or the plumber comes over and says "I think your counter is going to crack" I would take that with a grain of salt.

Heidia, it sounds like you did your research and except quarzite for what it is. Chances are that anyone who comes to your house doesn't even know what quartzite is. I just learned about it last year and don't know anyone who has it. So just saying it is not common (at least not where I live) and many might be unfamiliar with it.

I also know in the midst of a remodel you start to question your decisions. Just take the opinion of experts here or IRL.

Beautiful BTW!

Thank you Nosocceermom and DebraK2008. :)

I will say this about the mesh-it did have it on the back at the granite yard, and it has it on the sample they gave me for testing. But I felt under the stone after the install, and it is not there now. ????? It is smooth and stone feeling...

As for the mesh....I'm reaching under my island as I type. Are you feeling only under the overhang?

I have White Diamond granite with mesh. If I feel around the perimeter cabinets overhang I can't feel/see any mesh. On the island which has more exposed granite I can feel/see the mesh. Just opened a drawer and felt under and I can feel the mesh.

So all that to say that the mesh probably doesn't go all the way to the edge. I doubt they would take the time to pull it all off but I really don't know.

I'm sorry that you haven't received an answer yet. According to what I found, fissures are just cosmetic because they don't go through the stone, so they shouldn't pose any problem. Now, you have people telling you that they've seen fissures develop into cracks and cause "catastrophic" failure. This would worry me, too, especially with the installer adding a steel pole.
I would start talking to the installer and whoever sold you the stone.
BTW, what kind of quartzite is it? Once you know that, you may research the subject better. I wonder if Karen can help; she posted the threads on rocks, granite, etc.

Which quartzite is that? Looks like Luce de Luna.
I think this may be a grading issue to some part.
If 99% of the face is smooth I would think the fabricator may have been able to address the 1% of issues.
An open fissure or one that you can feel with your nail can be repaired using a thin clear adhesive so it retains the natural look of the stone . When you say the bigger the black vein is, the more you can feel the fissure- please explain? Is the fissure part of the veining system. Are the veins as smooth as the rest of the surface?
Are the fissures open and how many do you have.
Many slabs coming in today have mesh to protect more fragile slabs. Fabricators will smooth the underside of a slab 4-5 inches so the mesh isn't seen towards the edge and also isn't felt(people sometimes grab the slab).

Is this White macaubus quartzite?

heidia:

If you do develop a crack, please call your repairperson immediately. You'd be amazed how soon countertop cracks become contaminated. The less contamination, the better the look and bond of the repair.

See another thread on a countertop cracking, and be ready to say something if anyone tries to sit or stand on yours.
"Oh dear, this material is brittle and I don't want you to get hurt!"
Your counters are gorgeous, how did they handle the seam at the corner with all that lovely movement? Looking forward to the reveal!

Thank you all so much!

DebraK2008-I am just feeling the edges-will investigate more later. :) You are probably right-I bet they just smoothed the edges...

Strayer, Srosen, and nosoccermom,

My best guess is that it is either luce de luna or white macc, but it is not as pure looking as most luce de lunas I have seen, so maybe a lower grade of either-They called it 'pearl white.' My tests showed no staining or etching and it scratched a glass bottle by just looking at it, lol! They also said it was the hardest thing they ever had to fabricate...the straight fissure striations points to one of the two--some areas had some spider web veining like white mac while the most of it had straight veins like luce...so not sure...In the pictures it is more gray than it is-the background is a very light gray-reads more white...and I do have some golden veining that is very slight in some areas...

Srosen I would say 99% is smooth-you cannot feel the veins. The thicker black ones(2 areas on stone), you can feel it with your fingernail and in one area of the black vein, there is an oval pit, which they said they would fill but have not done so yet...I am getting all concerns in order before I call...

Trebuchet-will definitely do that! :) I was impressed with the repair you posted in the other thread!

KKsmama-I agree-I think people think natural stone is harder than it actually is! :( Will def be the sitting/standing police with this stone. :) Already prepped the kids, lol. The movement in corner actually made the seam less noticeable. We have the striations running horizontal, and the piece from the l to R on oven wall is like an L, so the L starts the kitchen sink wall-I had to look for the seam as it blended with the veins. :) Will take a pic of that later for the reveal! :)

I'm wondering what your results were? I just had pearl white quartzite installed 1 month ago. There were no fissures I could feel, but last night, I noticed a small fissure on the mitered edge going toward the kitchen sink. It is going the opposite direction of the veining so it's not actually on a vein. It's also not on a darker area. I can also only feel it with my fingernail, it's not open.

Picture please.

It's natural stone; keep an eye on it, but I wouldn't worry too much.

Thank you.

This was installed last night . Im pretty sure this is a crack . I’m going back today to talk to company . Any thoughts of Best way to repair ?

On the island there are two spots that don’t feel flat my husband says it’s a fissure .

@Joseph Corlett, LLC any ideas ?

Do you have mesh on the back of the stone? Can you feel the fissure?

@Joseph Corlett, LLC there is some sort of fiberglass mesh behind it . When you run your hand over the stone on island it’s not smooth .

@Joseph Corlett, LLC the one in the corner seems like a crack but we looked under it doesn’t go all the way through .

The owner came out today and is cutting us a brand new island