Repair of countertops and measures for their additional protection

Recommendation points

• Additional measures to protect chipboard worktops
• Chipboard countertop repair
• Repair of artificial stone countertops

Among all the components of a kitchen set, countertop repair or replacement is required most often. This is due to several factors. First of all, these are increased loads on the work surface during kitchen operation, as well as the low quality of the product, which is often found in inexpensive factory furniture..

But not only low-quality products may require updating, more expensive and high-quality countertops made of artificial stone also sometimes suffer mechanical damage. They can be scratched due to too careless handling or a small piece breaks off in any place due to a strong impact on its surface. Almost all damage is fixable, maybe minor flaws and will be visible, but you can avoid buying a new work surface.

Additional measures to protect chipboard worktops

This type of countertop is most susceptible to high temperatures and moisture if not properly protected prior to use. Often, the owners of such furniture, after a short time, face problems. The most vulnerable are the place where the sink is inserted, the joint of these two parts of the corner kitchen and the ends next to the stove. Therefore, it is recommended to take additional measures immediately after purchasing such furniture, which consists in applying a layer of sealant and installing protective aluminum strips. Usually manufacturers limit themselves only to pasting the cut lines with melamine edges, which is clearly not enough to ensure the required degree of protection.

If you follow all the recommendations during the installation of such a kitchen unit, then you will significantly extend the life of the countertop. First, the entire edge must be removed except for the rounded and beveled edges. This is done using an industrial hair dryer or a regular iron. To avoid staining or damaging the sole, place a blank sheet of paper on the edge. Under the influence of high temperature, this decorative and protective coating is easily removed. After removing the remaining glue and degreasing the surface, apply a thin layer of colorless sealant (silicone) and screw on the aluminum end. For the joints of the countertops there is a special corner joint of the countertops, which differs only in shape, the sequence of actions for its installation is exactly the same as in the previous case.

Although all manufacturers unanimously declare the heat resistance of their products, there are times when plastic peels off due to regular exposure to high temperatures.

It is also recommended to raise the stationary oven slightly. The fact is that with the lid open, its height is about 820 mm, and the lower modules are 850 mm. Because of this, the heat from gas burners is directed directly to the edges of the working surface, which leads to its stratification and other defects. Everyone knows about applying sealant where the sink will be installed. Some people neglect this, the result of such an attitude appears very soon in the form of a swollen countertop in different places. In addition, in the process of using the kitchen, it is better not to put pots, only removed from the fire, on the work surface, use special stands. Although all manufacturers unanimously declare the heat resistance of their products, there are times when the plastic flakes off due to regular exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, in this situation, precautions will be useful..

Chipboard countertop repair

If, nevertheless, your furniture in the kitchen has suffered and the worktop needs to be repaired, then you can often do it yourself without involving specialists. Usually, no special tools or skills are required to troubleshoot problems. It is enough to know what and how to do. Since the most common problem is countertop swelling, we will consider ways to give the product its original appearance.

When the chipboard base is delaminated due to high temperatures and moisture ingress, the plate becomes loose and its height increases. To return it to its previous dimensions, you will need a drill, clamps, wooden planks and PVA emulsion. First, you need to get rid of the sawdust, which is no longer attached to the countertop. If you immediately pour glue into the cavity, then the desired result may not be achieved. It is necessary to prepare a thick mixture of sawdust and emulsion, it is this mixture that should be used as a new filler for the resulting voids.

When the adhesive mass is ready, and you fill in all the necessary places with a spatula, it is necessary to pull the top and bottom surfaces of the countertop together. So that it does not turn out to be smaller or larger, a template bar is needed that has the same height as the kitchen work surface. It fits between two planks, and this whole structure is pulled together with clamps. It turns out a home-made press, which will provide the required density of the mixture of glue and sawdust, as well as squeeze out its excess. After a day, you can remove everything, clean the end, apply silicone on it and screw on the aluminum bar. If getting rid of the delaminated material is problematic (and this must be done), then you can drill a continuous row of holes along the centerline of the end face using a drill with a diameter of 6-8 mm. Then thoroughly clean the resulting cavity and perform the above steps in the same sequence..

Repair of artificial stone countertops

Despite its excellent performance characteristics, resistance to mechanical damage and moisture, there are situations when it may be necessary to repair an artificial stone countertop. Due to careless handling of this work surface, it can either be scratched quite strongly, or in some place (most often at the corners) a small piece of acrylic plastic breaks off. This happens very rarely, since something extraordinary must be done for this to happen. But if, nevertheless, damage is done, then you should not get too upset and even look for specialists to eliminate them. In this case, it will be quite within your power to repair the countertop with your own hands.

Getting rid of surface scratches is as easy as shelling pears if they’re not too deep. You need to buy sandpaper with different grain sizes and felt. First, the plastic in those places where there are small depressions is treated with P120 sandpaper, gradually moving to the P360 marking. For this procedure, it is advisable to use 3-4 types of sandpaper. When the surface of the countertop is smooth again, this area should be buffed with felt. If you have a felt wheel drill attachment, you can use it. Similarly, they get rid of such damage in sinks made of artificial stone..

If a piece of plastic breaks off, then it will not be difficult to glue it back to its original place. True, the glue used in the manufacture of such countertops costs a lot; it requires a special gun, which also has a decent price. Therefore, it is recommended to use colorless glue. If there is a small piece of the same plastic, then it needs to be ground into powder and mixed with glue. Using such a mixture will make the joint line less visible. When you are satisfied that the shard is firmly attached to its original location, sand the area with sandpaper and polish with felt. After such repairs, no one from the household will remember about the damage in a week.