Whether you’re in a home or at work, the need for countertop repair can occur anytime someone touches the surface. Whether it be physical cracks or discoloration from hot surfaces, the impact is the same; a less perfect countertop. Though some changes may be so light you don’t consider a need for countertop repair, being educated on the type of damage occurring will help you keep your countertop in near perfect condition.
Water Damage
Though often not even seen affecting the countertop, the surrounding area often causes issues with countertop sizing in the long run. Issues like:
- Dishwasher not closing properly, or catching on other cabinets.
- One or more parts of your cabinet are askew.
- If not caught, possible need to replace full countertops.
Laminate and wood countertops are more susceptible, but the ability for countertops to shift from under-countertop water damage applies to any countertop type. If you spot water damage in or around your kitchen, contact your local countertop repair service, Classic Countertops.
Chips and Scratches
Chips and scratches are often one of the most remediable issues that can occur with your laminate, granite, solid surface, or quartz countertop.
Scratches
To repair a simple scratch caused by utensils on a laminate surface, there are inexpensive repair options offered in the form of a small pen to hide the damage. For solid surface and quartz, countertop repair might be necessary in the form of a small job to buff out the countertop, if unable to be remedied at home. Granite, sadly, often does require countertop repair for serious scratches due to the slightly lengthier epoxy process involved.
Chips
Chips, in most cases, are repairable, especially on granite countertops. Typically, it’s a cosmetic repair unless there are sharp edges or it’s an appliance supporting surface. In the case of a granite chip, we insist, for a less serious countertop repair service, to keep the initial chunk or chip that broke off.
Heat Damage
Depending on how long the damage was actively applied to the countertop changes the severity, as does your countertop surface.
- Granite
Granite countertops are one of, if not the most reliable surface against heat. As granite is stone, it’s often seen as immune to damage, especially with its notorious strength spoken of by industry professionals. However, long term application of a hot surface on granite can lead to unsightly discoloring, and in extreme instances, crack the countertop as a whole. If either of these things occur, urgently contact your residential countertop repair professional - Solid Surface and Quartz
Solid surface and quartz are very similar, but in terms of heat resistance, quartz takes the lead as a specifically tailored material to handle more intense heat. In both instances, any non-permanent heat damage can be buffed out by a countertop repair professional. In general, a solid surface is much faster to gain permanent damage than quartz would be. If any damage occurs, contact Bill Blackert and Classic Countertops for industry leading advice. - Laminate
Laminate is one of the most susceptible to burn/ heat damage and must be treated with extra caution towards the matter. Even light burn damage is much more difficult to remove from a laminate countertop, as they enter a melt stage as opposed to cracking like the other surfaces. We always recommend the use of trivets or heat mats to avoid even risking the issue. If damage occurs, it is essential to contact a proper repairman.
Regardless of what type of damage your kitchen or workplace is currently undergoing, contacting a local countertop repairman will always give you the most accurate answer than independently researching. Call Bill Blackert at Classic Countertops for the most up to date, industry leading answers.