Help Baltic Brown

[Anonymous]

I'm hoping you can give me some insight on a problem I am having with my granite countertop. I believe it is a common color called Baltic Brown. It's not the greatest quality of granite that I have seen for it has a lot of pits. My house is 2 years old and I have a hairline crack along my kitchen sink (the front of it) it keeps growing. I noticed it after about 9 months of living in the house. It started out at an inch long and now has grown to 2 1/2 feet and it is pitting! I have contacted the subcontracter who put it in and he said there is no way the crack was there when he put it in. My builder has asked me to gather some information and that what has led me to you. I have never dropped anything heavy on the counter or banged it. Sometimes the kids or I lean against the sink while doing dishes. (FYI we are all of normal weight!) I would greatly appreciate any advice you could give me.

Vicky,

I am sorry to hear of your granite misfortune.

The reason for the granite cracking may be due to settling of your house, settling of your cabinets, or a poor installation job. It is not always easy to diagnose. Most likely if you place a 4' or a 6' level on the top of your granite it will either rock or you will see a gap under it. Granite tops should be leveled to within 1/8" over a 10' span. Most houses settle a great deal within a year or two after construction. Sometimes shims which level cabinets or countertops compress or move after installation. The granite around your sink is a narrow section and is prone to crack if your tops are under stress from not being level. I would persue the issue with your builder or contractor.

Your tops should be re-leveled and the crack should be repaired. The repair will not be a difficult task for a good granite restoration guy though the repair may cost a bit.

If you post your general location maybe one of the posting fabricators or restoration guys are in your area and can help you and your builder out to get this issue resolved for you.

Good luck

Dave

Vicky,

I am also sorry to hear of your granite misfortune.

From your description it sounds like you may have a two-2cm slab that was rod.
The channels may have been cut too deep, and than improper rod was use, which than rust and cause the crack that you now see.
If it is possible please post a picture of the damage area.

[Jeff Leun]

Its either settling or improperly installed, ie not shimmed or caulked and possibly in conjuction with the rod slot Jo spoke of. As far as the pitting goes that stone is prone for heavy pitting. Personally i wont purchase that stone unless its resined. post a pic