How to resolve an uneven sink reveal on undermount sink

6 years ago

We recently had a new stainless steel undermount sink and quartz countertop installed. When they came to do the template for our counters, we told them we wanted a 1/4" negative reveal (with the countertop extending 1/4" beyond the edge of the sink). The countertop fabricators did not use the correct template when they cut out the opening for our sink. As a result, we have parts of it that have a negative reveal varying from 1/16 to 3/4" (almost an inch in some areas) and several sections about 4" long that have a 1/16-1/4" positive reveal, with the top edge of the sink and white caulk (!) exposed. I understand that some variance is normal, but this is dramatic and is so visibly uneven. It looks really bad!!

We have had the fabricators back several times, they attempted to find a larger sink, however the same issue is present - the shape of the hole does not match the shape of the sinks. They attempted to remove our countertop today (to replace it or to cut the hole more evenly) and it will not come off - they tried cutting the caulk and prying it, but the cabinets were starting to pull up off of the ground. They said they can try to cut out a bigger opening by hand, but we are concerned that it will still be uneven and/or that they would scratch the sink.

Any tips on what we can do from here? We have already paid them and they seem willing to try to fix it. We would prefer a new counter with the correct opening and don't feel that that is unreasonable, but don't want our brand new cabinets ruined in the process. Or any tips on how to get the counter off?

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have replaced at least 20 stone/estone sinks and have NEVER pulled a top to do so. Completely unnecessary.

Loosen any mechanical fasteners, drive a scraper between the stone and sink flange, drop the sink, and pull it from the cabinet. If it won't come out, tap the cabinet front off. It's no big deal; it hot melts right back on. I do this all the time.

With the sink out of danger, cut and polish a new cut-out on site with a small positive reveal. You'll love a small positive reveal, trust me.

Install a Sink Strap (Regent Stone Products) or a Hercules Universal Sink Harness (Braxton Bragg), put the sink back in the cabinet, put the front back on, silicone the flange, snug the strap/harness, check the reveals, tighten the strap/harness, Windex the silicone squeeze out, and you're done.

If this job took me more than 4 hours, I'd throw my tools off the Sunshine Skyway bridge and follow them in.

Have these jokers call me, 248-842-5693, I'll walk 'em through. No charge.

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Comments (6)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
6 years ago
What did they use to put on the countertop? They did something for it to be this difficult to remove...

It seems like they've tried everything to fix it without getting you a new one but none of them worked. At this point I say they need to replace the whole countertop, and if the cabinets are damaged in the process that's on them too since this is their mistake. Now getting them to agree to that is a different story
noreaster10
6 years ago
Do you have a contract with them? The terms of the work and resolution to any problems should be in the contract. Sounds like their mistake. If terms aren't there or are ambiguous, you will likely have to compromise, especially since they have been paid. When I did my large whole house reno and add on, one of the benefits of using a contractor and having a project manager was on these types of issues. They took responsibility for communicating and resolving problems. Added bonus if you have proof of your communication with them. As an aside, my blanco farmhouse fireclay sink got a crack in it, presumably during install, but it was a few months before it became noticeable. My guys removed the sink from underneath and slid a new one in. Point being, they did not glue the crap out of the sink and counter. Maybe this is different in a farmhouse style versus complete undermount. That said, I would think that they would not have glued anything if it looked like that. There can never be enough oversight on house renovations, I swear! Good luck and I hope you get it fixed!
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Soapstone fans seem to me to be a special type, people who like not_seeing the rounded SS edges for example. The advantage to positive reveal is that you get an automatic ledge to perch custom cutting boards / drain boards. If you haven't thought through in advance what to router into the edge of your stone, with soapstone you are not stuck, as it is the one stone that can be worked with tools at home in your spare time, and sanded and polished. Most sink templates seem a bit too big for my taste; I wonder if inside a template-followed flush reveal cut it would be possible to hang a cutting board... To me, a flush reveal still shows a Lot of the sink top's round edge at all times, and a Lot more when you are not looking straight down (which is all the time), so a (minor) negative reveal solves that. That is a quarter inch less than the template, which leaves a little overhang, less than 1/8th, about 1/16th inch. I am planning a soapstone counter now, with even more negative reveal on one side. I expect I can use Schluter profile 45-degree transition trim strips to give a metal strength to the underside edge instead of letting moving pots hit bare stone when they get pulled out of the sink. Any structure or form can then be made to meld with the shape of the opening. Schluters are available in SS or anodized aluminum. Soapstone is the most easily sanded of countertop stones, so I can make it smooth on the underside too if I want. My proposed large-overhang would be only on one of the four sides, to reduce the psychological fear of bacteria enjoying a free ride underneath. A light can shine in there too, again for psychological support. A big overhang (inches) can then be handled and made to look professional. HTH -- and no I am not an expert, so if anyone wants to contradict me please go ahead and I may learn something. David
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Should You Sell Or Should You Stay
6 years ago
You are correct to want to have this fixed and I see no other way than them replacing the countertop at their expense and without damage to your cabinets. Suggest they contact the manufacturer of the adhesive to ask what solvent can be used to get the countertop off. Be sure the cabinets are protected from the solvent.

If they refuse to/cannot do this - hire another contractor to fix this and let the first contractor know that you will mitigate the damage($$$$) as best as you can, but will hold them responsible to reimburse you the new expenses. This is an option: You may suggest that you are willing to take them to court if you have to. Document the whole process.

Or if you think that you can live with it, or if you are thinking of moving, ask for a rebate. This has worked for me in the past. I purchased 8 dining chairs from an online retailer and the chairs were different from the picture on their website. They offered a healthy rebate and I accepted. I would have rather have had the chairs the way they were depicted, but I could live with it and I am also the only one in our family who would notice this. There is always trouble when you have a sharp eye. ;)
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Filipe Custom Woodwork
6 years ago
it looks as though they just did the cut out from a standard template as opposed to asking you for the template for your sink's model. Did they provide the sink or did you provide it? if you provided the sink....Did they ask you to drop off the sink to their shop???....either way they either have to provide you with a sink to fit the opening or replace the counter all together.....
Dee Sanchez
6 years ago
Is the sink itself wonky? It doesn't look like the back wall of the sink is even, which is a great reason to have a negative reveal, but if the sink isn't even, the reveal will not be equal all the way around.

How to resolve an uneven sink reveal on undermount sink

Joseph Corlett, LLC

Comments (6)

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

noreaster10

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