New Installation granite crack in front of sink

ChristineBudd · 11-10-2007, 10:35 AM

I just had Delirium granite installed in my kitchen. After the installers left, I noticed a crack in the 4 inch piece of granite in front of the kitchen sink. It starts under the bullnose and runs up and over the top to the inside edge to the sink. Delirium granite includes a gray quartzy material with natural fissures. There is quite a bit of this quartzy gray in front of the sink with some fissures and the crack. The fabricator/installer has offered 2 options to fix this problem. Replacing it is not an option as we have looked nationwide in the USA for other Delirium with the same look. Ours is very light colored. Others are darker. Option 1 is in our home to use an epoxy to glue it together and buff it to be smooth. Then they would support it with shims underneathe all across in front of the sink area between the cabinet and granite and silicone on the underedge. Right now the shims are only on the left, right and center. Option #2 is to remove the piece to take back to their shop to repair. As well as using epoxy to fix the crack and polish, they would route out a channel on the underside and put in a metal rod for support. That's supposed to help with the integrity of that area. Option #2 runs the risk of that section cracking. If it cracked, they would replace the entire kitchen with a new granite. It would not be with Delirium as there's no more. I LOVE the Delrium granite we chose! However, I don't want problems down the road. My questions are-

-Would the rod cause rust as I read in another of your forum discussions? If so, can this be avoided?
- Given the detail above, am I running a BIG risk of cracking that area if I have them take that piece out and take it back to the shop to repair? Routing sounds rough on that delicate area.
-If they do fix the crack at my home, do you think that quartzy gray part has less integrity in general as it has fissures in it now? They would only be fixing the current crack. Does that quartzy part need extra support?
-Which option would you suggest?
-Do you have a granite doctor that you can recommend in Northern Virginia? I live in Herndon, VA in Fairfax County. I might need an outside local source to come give me advice.

I am so happy to have found your site with Google! It's the site I needed to help me understand my issue better.

Christine

Fred Hueston · 11-10-2007, 10:58 AM

I agree. I would not remove it for fear of further cracking. One of the members here should be able to recommend someone.

cheesedog · 11-10-2007, 05:18 PM

its hard to say without seeing it. can you post some pictures?

Topshop · 11-12-2007, 11:57 AM

I say fix it in place too. The repair should be stronger than the original stone if the proper adhesives are used and the repair should be unseen if performed by the right restoration guy. Do not let them attempt the repair unless they can prove to you with some scrap that they can do it properly and to your satisfaction.

My question is why didn't the fabricator rod the sink hole in the first place and why didn't they shim properly in the first place? I hope you didn't pay them in full. The repair will cost them or you some money.

Huligar · 11-16-2007, 09:38 AM

I have to echo topshop on this one.
A repair is your only chance to keep the look that you like.

Sorry but we have no active restoration guy in your area.

Scott Suchan · 11-21-2007, 01:21 AM

It would be worth it for you to pay for either Topshop or Huligar to travel to your home if you're that much in love with that granite. The outlay now, as opposed to the years of happiness with the look that you want is probably worth it.