Hmmm pictures would help. I did not have a farmhouse sink problem but my sink installers hacked apart my sink cabinet and had to call in a wood specialist to fix it and match the paint. The fix looks better than the regular install so it all worked out. I would call the sink company and ask their advice about fixing it and if it's possible.

ARGH, that must be super-frustrating indeed.

I think you're fully within your rights both to want a replacement sink and to fear what the removal and reinstall might do to your cabinetry and new counters.

For what it's worth, I had an old porcelain bathtub repaired with a professional "kit" a number of years ago, and it held up very well under all kinds of abuse. The key is to get them to match the white color absolutely exactly. So if you go that route, I don't think all is lost.

Why not have them attempt the repair, see what you think, and if it's still not acceptable you can certainly push for a full-on replacement?

You might also contact your carpenter on your own initiative, just to hear their opinion on how difficult it might be to re-scribe the contours of a new handmade sink in your cabinet?

Crossing fingers for you!

One thing as for a fix, I would want a lengthy guarantee. I think I would even say if within a yr there was any problem I would want the guaranty to replace the sink at that time.

I would not stand for a fix-it on a thousand dollar sink. No way. Replace.

I'd think that an apron front sink would remove easier & with less risk of damage to the countertop than undermount sinks. (Maybe talking about sawing away parts of it vs taking out in one piece?)

As to the sink cabinet, if they're factory cabs, maybe you can post a link or find a pix on the web of the cabinet. If the new sink is a bit smaller than the one being removed, knowing how the cab is constructed will help us think of creative fixes. I'd be a lot more hesitant about replacing the cabinet in regard to possibly damaging the counter.

Another option might be going with a different brand of fireclay farm sink that's not so wonky as the Shaw's... Or doing a paper template of the opening to compare to actual sinks. (IIRC, you're in NYC so you might have actual sinks to look at! I'm in central Wisconsin & have yet to see a real apron sink in any material on display!)

Thanks, eandhl. Good idea.

And, Cilantro -- while my heart says insist on replacement, my mind says trouble, trouble, trouble! The cabs are custom -- Plain and Fancy. It took nearly 12 weeks to get them the first time around. A reorder will also take months, I'm sure. Plus, my thinking is that, in order to get the sink out, it's possible that the countertop on both sides as well as the other cabs in the run may be affected as well! I don't know if this is actually the case or not. But I sure as heck am freaking out over my options!

It sure would be great to hear from some of the stone fabricators and carpenters on this forum. Sigh.

{{!gwi}}

Anything like this, construction wise?

Yes! Nearly identical to that. Except that my sink has a half positive reveal. Which of course is the problem -- the part of the rim that is exposed has the gouge and scratch marks. I've been thinking that perhaps they could make a bigger cut around the countertop just remove the sink. Then the replacement could be installed as an upmount instead of undermount. I dunno.

Yeh, but an upmount is likely to end up being deja vu all over again.

Likely to be messy but the stone guys should be able to figure a way to get it out of there even if it comes out in pieces. Fireclay shouldn't be that much of a challenge if they have experience w/ granite.

An upmount definitely changes the cabinet portion of the equation.

I think I'd try the fix and see how it works -- but let them know that you are not signing off on the fix until you have lived with it for a while. Unless you can locate a sink in stock, you will have to live with it for a while anyway. If you do find a sink in stock -- or when you order-- have them measure very carefully and try to get something that is nearly the same size and slightly larger is probably better than too small.

Oh no MV! I'm so sorry. I'd also suggest that you play it as some here have suggested and see how well the fix can be effected and with the caveat that if it isn't lasting and doesn't really repair the damage that they will effect a swap.

Unfortunately, the truth is somewhere there will be a casualty somewhere. Either it is the damaged sink which you'll have to repair. OR you'll attempt a swap and perhaps lose the stone which as you said is "beyond gorgeous"; OR (probably and unf. if go for the replacement) damage the cabinetry. (P&F is gorgeous cabinetry!). Sadly, this is one of those situations where you want to be able to have a tantrum to get the brand-new all-perfect product which is as it should be (it *is* brand-new after all) but instead have to swallow the bitter pill and choose between the lesser of several evils because you never got to enjoy the brand new & shiny and complete phase. It bites to have to make choices like this so I really hope that you can find a good, reliable solution to this.

I had a similar thing happen too - except that I found that my carpenter who would surreptitiously lazily cut his stuff on my counters instead of his saw horses when I wasn't around (which was most of the time but I caught this happening once and probably paled because he moved outdoors in a hurry even tough I didn't say a word) had put two or three gouges on the edges of my counters. I didn't notice this for a while and when I did, I was livid. BUT I utterly adore my granite and the thought of ripping out the slabs from my cabinets which I also love was just too much. In my case, those marks are hard to see and the only reason I saw them was that I was there at just the right spot at the right time on a very sunny bright summer morning. I have to hunt around to find them now - not for any reason other than since they are at the rims of the counter they aren't the most noticeable things in the world.

Admittedly your sink rim scratches and gouges won't be quite so well obscured.

On the plus side, you know that sink is well made if it merely gouged itself and didn't break upon presumably hard contact with a stone slab.

I'll cross my fingers for your on the fix and I hope that it works itself out.

Quick Update: Jay (the installer) came and did the first round of repair, which was to apply "Porca Fix" (a Rohl product). He'll be back later in the day to do sanding and buffing. He repeated his profound upset over his mistake and promised to replace the sink if I just can't live with the repair.

The GC was impressed that Jay so readily committed to replacement of the sink if it comes to that; he thinks it's a good sign when a fabricator promises to making good on a mistake without a fight.

At Eandhl's suggestion, I called Rohl and talked to them about Porca Fix. Rohl stands by behind their repair kit but also recommended an outfit called "Miracle Method", a firm that specializes in spot reglazing of fireclay, if I'm unhappy with Jay's repair job. According to Rohl, the 'Miracle Method" people supposedly have an excellent track record of repairs which are virtually indistinguishable from the original fireclay.

We shall see. The story continues. Thanks for all the support! I promise to keep you updated.

Sadly, this is one of those situations where you want to be able to have a tantrum to get the brand-new all-perfect product which is as it should be (it *is* brand-new after all) but instead have to swallow the bitter pill and choose between the lesser of several evils because you never got to enjoy the brand new & shiny and complete phase. It bites to have to make choices like this so I really hope that you can find a good, reliable solution to this.

Mindstorm -- you must have been posting while I was writing. As usual, you are the fount of wisdom. If the truth be told, I don't just want a "perfect" sink, I want a "perfect" kitchen! (Heh Heh!) At the same time you're so right about learning to swallow a bitter pill and choosing between evils. The road to "perfection" is long and steep and full of perilous twists and turns. Since few us ever reach that destination, this little drama may be nothing more than the umpteenth time during my kitchen reno saga that I will have to opt for a less than "perfect" but ultimately more manageable reno sojourn.

Like I said, I'll keep you all updated.

Thanks!

I have no advice, but I sympathize with you.

What is with these people who come into our homes and damage our brand new kitchens products? I ended up with the wooden frame of one of my cabinets badly damaged, three long scratches on my new stainless steel cook top, and scratches on my unscratched new stainless steel sink by my granite fabricator and my tile installer.

I'm reading these kinds of things a lot lately.

Oh, no! MV, I'm so sorry to hear this!!!

Wow, there are such parallels to my cabinet situation. I wanted the damaged cabinets replaced, but I was terrified that taking them down from the wall where they'd been glued would destroy the wall. I stuck to my guns and insisted they be replaced, and now they look beautiful and work perfectly (and the wall didn't fall down).

Not sure the parallel extends quite as far for you. I think you have some very valid concerns, and you're doing a good job thinking through the situation. You just have to get as much information as you possibly can to assess the risks (as opposed to the fears or the wants), and then balance it all together and make (and embrace) an imperfect decision.

It certainly sounds like doing the fix and seeing how well it comes out is the right first step.

I wish I could be more help...

HUGS!!!

I am so sorry for your set back ;(

You have great advice here and it IS really sad
that we have had so many "accidents" in our homes.
I wish you a perfect ending.
vic

I didn't have time to read all the replies, so I hope I am not repeating.

We had a scratch on our Shaw's sink. Right on the front. We kept thinking it was dirt, but it didn't come off, and it was clearly a scratch.

It was clearly done by workers in my kitchen, and my GC didn't deny it. I could have insisted on getting a new sink, but what a mess, and what an expense. We agreed to first try a repair, and see if it was satisfactory.

My KD got a repair kit from the manufacturer, and touched up the spot, and I cannot see what the scratch was. Now, that spot is not glazed, but it was small enough that I don't see it. We also got the GC to agree that if the spot where the scratch was somehow doesn't hold up over time, they would be responsible for replacing the sink.

I don't know how big your damage was, so I don't know if this would work for you, but we are satisfied so far.

We didn't make a huge stink. Accidents happen, and I'm sure we'll have accidents too.

I'll see if I can find before and after pictures to show you.

I don't know where you are in the scheme of your remodel, but I'm 85% done. I've had a lot of casualties along the road - including my fireclay sink that my DH dropped a brick in, but it was only a teeny chip in the bowl. Well, I thought I'd never be happy with it, I'd be staring at it as I do dishes, etc. Now that the kitchen is really together and useable (thank the Lord), I forget it's even there!

There were a lot of little knicks and dings along the road -- including on my brand new stainless steel fridge. Again, I hardly notice it now that everything else is drawing my eye away.

I'd go for the fix - with the guarantee that if the fix doesn't hold up, they'll replace it, or something to that effect.

But, I feel your pain. I really do. I just stinks.

Martha, my friend: Jay is reliable and I have no doubt that he will make things right. He needs to guarantee that if you need Miracle whoever to come and redo the fix job, that he will pay for that fix - and I would be surprised if Jay does not agree to do so. He may be careless (or his assistant) - which is NOT good, but I believe he is ethical and honest.

I want to see your beyond gorgeous stone in its new home -- you know I coveted that slab!!!!! Glad it went to a friend.
Trust me, it will end up being fine with the sink. The first time you get a ding in that stone you'll freak - but you'll get over it. My stepson put a dent in my island stone (he is 43) and I was aggravated for about 5 min. Then I got over it because life is too short and everything could be a lot worse.

And Charlikin - I am happy you ended up with the beautiful kitchen you wanted. Did you ever post pix? What did you do with the backsplash? I haven't been keeping up.

Latest Update:

Jay came back and worked on the fix. Although he was not finished with it today, I must say the gouges look a whole lot better and the scratches are now barely visible. Meanwhile, he called me tonight to tell me that he has arranged for an old-school porcelain repair expert to come over and take care of my sink and to make me whole. Lascatx, as usual, I'm finding good reason to follow your advice.

Jeannie_Kitchen, you are right: We all make mistakes. And, Raynag, I can clearly tell that Jay is as pained about all this as much as I am. Honestly, I feel for the guy. While it's bad enough being in my shoes, I would not want to be in his! His clear determination to rectify this mistake, gives me confidence that all will work out.

Thanks so much your sisterhood hugs, Charlikin, and your kind words of encouragement, Vicnsb! To Jerseydeb,Momof3kids_Pa and, again to Jeannie_Kitchen and Raynag: I appreciate your reminders that its truly possible to peaceably coexist with the fact of blemishes in my brand new kitchen! Of course, when all is said and done, I want to be able to show off my kitchen. Yet, at the same time, it's important to keep in mind that a true showroom kitchen is unlikely to also be a true working kitchen . In the end, there are likely to be many many more accidents, dings, gouges and scratches, etc. to demonstrate that my kitchen is a working kitchen after all. Perhaps, when this chapter closes and I can sincerely laugh about it, I will regard my Rohl farmhouse sink as the first item in the new kitchen to have "patina." :)

More to come.

LOL - yeah, just keep thinking patina. I have lots of it. Every time I look in the mirror, I see "patina." Now I know why I shouldn't expect to see you this week. Tell Jay I say hello.

marthavilla, When you buy a new car and drive it off of the lot, you know it will get scratched one day. But before you leave the lot, you walk around and admire it's shine and paint job and you feel really good inside. I think for you, the hardest part must be you didn't get to see your soapstone and your sink and the rest of your kitchen for that one glorious moment before the scratches, dents and dings begin.

You are having a great attitude embracing the patina that came from a contractor's carelessness. We all make mistakes and thankfully, he is accepting responsibility for his error and is trying to make it right. Once your working kitchen is being cooked in daily, there will be more patina, but I understand the disappointment you must be feeling now. Here's hoping the fireclay specialist can make your sink as good as new.

Marthavilla - DH dropped a heavy glass in my shaw's farmhouse sink--broke the glass and took a small chunk out of the bottom of my sink. I found this post while researching the rohl porc-a-fix shaws. Can you give me an update on your sink? What was finally done and how it has turned out? Thanks!!