Tile guy ruined our new sink!

15 years ago

Our new kitchen was wrapping up this week. We had the tile backsplash installed on Wednesday and grouted yesterday. The tile installer put his mixing bucket in our new KWC geneva sink. He actually used a power mixer which made several scratches in the sink! I am sick over it. The tile store owner is coming over Monday to look at it. I don't know what to do. If we replace the sink, will it damage our beautiful new granite? I can't believe this happened. Any suggestions on what we should do?

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Comments (9)

User
15 years ago
So sorry, what was he thinking! I don't have a fix but would recommend you don't panic "yet", post a picture of the damage so people can see what your talking about and call the manufacturer to see if there is a fix they can offer. Good Luck
petra_granite
15 years ago
Wow! simular situation: customer's stainless steel sink had a stain it in: don't know how it got there: one week after install.
We all researched the issue of removing the sink: Could crack granite. "COULD" scared our customer.

Make them pay for sink and labor to remove the sink.

How stupid: sorry! Think think think......

My tile installers: been at plenty of jobs: put thick plastic wrap on the countertops and in the sink.
I am so sorry! mixer & saw out in garage when they do install.

I don't see why sink can't be removed with a sharp knife???? Expert installer opinion needed from experience! Our customer choose to live with stain. (could of drips of something that changed the look of the finish)

I did extensive reading on stainless steel sink: don't know if that is what you have:
It said no bleach or harsh chemical. To allow wash and dry after each use. NO comet(wow I've used that before!)
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azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
Sorry to hear about your tile contractor's lack of common sense...

It's just galling to hear about how somebody can be such a knucklehead
and have no ability to think about the consequences of their actions!!!

A solution to your problem is not entirely out of he question - However,
there IS a "chance" (kind of like the line Jim Carrey had in Dumb & Dumber -
"So yer tellin me there's a CHANCE???") that this can be rectified

Couple of things will help diagnose this:

1. Need you to post as many pictures as possible -

2. Need details on the job:

Type of stone

Thickness of slab 2CM or 3CM

WHAT was the method use to "mount" the sink under the stone?

Can you describe or post pics of the mounting method? (from inside the sink cabinet?)
Did your Fabricator glue the sink directly to the stone?
or
Did your Fabricator use a mounting bracket or mounting clips to attache
the sink to the underside of the countertop?

Do you have plywood subtops under your stone? or Is the stone glued
directly to your cabinets?

What is the inside dimensions of the sink cabinet? front to back & side to side?

Is this in an Island - or conventional countertops that are 26" to 27" in depth?

Do you have two separate doors at the sink (in the cabinet) with a divider
post separating the doors? or is there no divider post? (one big opening
under the sink)

If you can share this info, I can tell you with good accuracy if the sink can be
replaced WITHOUT having to mess with the stone - OR, in a worst case scenario,
what your "other" options will be....

Let me know, and I can probably tell you what your options are - OK?

kevin

Kevin M. Padden
Fabricator, Trainer & Consultant to the Natural Stone Industry
www.azschoolofrock.com
cross_stitch
15 years ago
How about this: A newish undermount fireclay sink developed a hairline crack when pasta water hit the surface. (Isn't that what a sink is for??) The sink was bought on line from Europe and the vendor will not respond. Contractor said they could break sink to remove it from below and remount a new sink in its place. Owner is too nervous about possible collateral damage to try it.
oruboris
15 years ago
Am I missing something here? Is it really this tough and risky to replace an undermount sink if it was installed through the cabs [not to the granite first] using clips?
Circus Peanut
15 years ago
Oru, I think most undermounts are installed directly to the counter material -- there's no wooden cabinet top underneath the sink itself, as there might be for a drop-in.
igloochic
15 years ago
Ours would be a big deal. The island sink is undermount, and is resting on the cabinet ledges on each side. You would need to take the counter off to replace it. I can see the problem here.
azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
In many cases - the sink is "set" into place first, Then - the countertops
are set down - OVER the sink assembly. Most Fabricators do NOT set the
countertops first, then mount the sink from underneath... the only exception
would be the do-it-your-selfer that does not know any better - due to lack
of experience.

There's a chance that the sink could be lowered and removed through the cabinet,
and a replacement re-installed without moving the stone - but in order to
tell you if you have a shot at doing this - I'd need to have my earlier questions answered......

On the bright side - something I did not comment on before - because it
appears that your sink is Stainless Steel - you MAY be able to have the scratches
buffed out - or minimized by someone that does stainless steel repairs....
IF your sink is "sandwiched" in between a plywood subtop and the stone
(this would be 2CM thick stone) the chances of dropping the sink are not
very good....

Here's some pics of how most stainless steel sinks are "set" in a 2CM application:

hole is cut out for the sink:

Sink is set into hole:

Rim of undermount sink is supported by plywood subtop & sandwiched in between
the plywood subtop & the stone:

Cut-out is made for the faucet assembly so that there is room for the mounting
escutcheons of the faucet:

IF this is how your sink was set - the chances of getting it out and replacing it
with a new one - through the cabinet doors - is pretty remote... It can be
done in SOME cases - but not in many...

sorry to be the bearer of not so welcome news....

kevin
arleneb
15 years ago
Reminds me of the carpet cleaner who set his wet bucket ON MY BUFFET in the dining room. You've seen a "glass ring" -- this one was huge. When his boss called to schedule the next cleaning, we had a little chat about it.

The buffet was old and on its way out, but still . . . that doesn't excuse stupidity and carelessness.

Hope your sink issue is resolved to your satisfaction.

Tile guy ruined our new sink!

Comments (9)

User

petra_granite

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