Refinishing and Repairing Your Countertop DIY: Granite

A quartz or solid surface countertop is becoming more and more popular as modern design takes hold of the countertop industry. For its unique price point, lying between laminate and granite, it locks down a common niche of homeowners who want a dependable countertop that doesn’t cost as much but remains a highly durable material. Though there are unique differences between solid surface and quartz, the way to repair them yourself is essentially the same, with minor differences. These types of countertops are very user friendly to repair, but we always recommend getting in touch with a local countertop installation expert in order to have a comprehensive plan of action before more damage occurs. 

The most frequent repair in these types of countertops, and most, is the repair of hairline cracks on the surface of the countertop. This repair does differ significantly between solid surface and quartz:

• Solid Surface: For solid surface countertops, specifically Corian, the repair of hairline cracks remains simple. Ice the area surrounding the hairline crack for roughly an hour. After the icing, clean the area with a fine bristled brush to clear any debris you don’t want introduced to the countertop. After this, heat the region with a heat source such as a heat gun until it closes up.
• Quartz: Though quartz is slightly stronger than solid surface countertops, a major setback is the complication of repairing a damaged quartz countertop. Quartz, as it is a natural stone, has a high similarity of repair to a granite counterpart, through the application of epoxy or another gel based adhesive. If you have a quartz countertop, it is always recommended that you get in touch with your local countertop expert here at Classic Countertops for the repair of a hairline crack, as it can compromise the entire countertop.

The easiest repair of quartz and solid surface countertops are the minor scratches that come from wear and tear. In a residential countertop environment, it’s not uncommon for family members or appliances to make minor scratches over years of use. You fix these in the exact same way; the simple application of sandpaper or a general buffing appliance. Clean the region around the scratch, ensure it’s not a compromising crack in the countertop, and patiently buff the area. Generally, within a few minutes, the scratch will entirely disappear, restoring the original look of the countertop. If you are uncomfortable repairing your damaged quartz countertop, reach out to Classic Countertop for an affordable, highly experienced repair service.