Any Granite experts out there? I just finished a kitchen remodel where the owner insisted on using her own granite installer and making the arrangements herself.
Anyway, the granite is in and it has a big swale or belly in it. Across 8 feet, the middle of the slab dips almost 1/4 of an inch. The installers had to shim up the ends so that the slab didn’t rock during install. (I found this out later, I wasn’t there during the install). My guys set the cabinets and the sub-top and they were dead level and flat.
I’ve gotten a couple of opinions from people on this. The most likely to me seems that the granite slab was cut with the belly in it. I guess the blade during the cut can deflect and cause this? The slab thickness is consistent along it’s length. If this is the case, it sounds like the slab was defective from the beginning and needs to be replaces.
The installer claims that a granite slab can deflect that much on its own (this is 3/4 in. thick). and That maybe guys who installed it shimmed it incorrectly. In this case if the shims were removed the granite slab could theoretically return to its original shape. I would expect very little flex or deflection in granite. It doesn’t seem to me that granite can “bend”.
Any experience out there? Does granite bend or deflect in 3/4 in. thickness? without breaking? This is not my problem directly, but I would like to help the owner out with some good information.
thanks
brad
Replies
This may not help much, but a granite installer told me once that granite can warp after installation if it isn't held firmly enough. For that reason, their company uses PL Premium instead of silicone to stick the granite to the rough top.
I'd wager that the slab was flat when cut and polished, and it warped later on. Lucky you that it isn't your problem to make right.
Bill
I've seen stone curl, but thinner peices than a countertop and mostly marble not granite.
I don't doubt for a second that it could have moved at some point. It certainly didn't machine that way.
Was it left out in direct sunlight by any chance? Dark stone?
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I had a long granite top with a butt joint in the center where one side had a belly, and the other half was flat.
Granite company came out and said one piece was bad, and sent a replacement out. They said the problem was in the milling of the slab. It was covered by their warranty, no problem.
Either way I think the customer should have the installing company fix the problem.
yeah, i'm guessing it is in the milling of the slab. this is on one long leg and there is a butt joint in the middle. the other half has a belly also, just not as deep and the homeowner said she can live with that. just one side is pretty noticable.
The HO aranged for the counter top let them deal with it.
Doug