I am having granite counter tops installed in my new kitchen, is there anything I need to know for when they come to install them?

Q:

I am having granite counter tops installed in my new kitchen, is there anything I need to know for when they come to install them?

A:

Your granite counter tops will be installed using silicone to hold it in place to the cabinets. The installation of your counter tops works because granite is heavy and is not easily moved, the silicone holds the granite in place from moving, while the weight of the granite ensures that it wouldn’t be moved around from someone pushing on the end of it or sitting on top of it.

The silicone that holds the granite needs to dry over night.

Once the granite is set in place the countertop installers will then locate any penetrations that must be made and will proceed to drill through the granite to create them.

For this you must be on hand to inform the granite installers where you want them. Penetrations through the granite could one of the following;

• Holes for the faucet. Some faucets require one hole and some require two, every faucet is a different size and so every faucet will require a slightly different size of hole to be drilled for it.

• Sprayers. Kitchen faucets that have a side sprayer will require an extra hole; the placement of that hole will be determined by where you want it placed and the length of the supply line that runs from the faucet to the sprayer.

• Soap dispensers. These need to be located by you to whatever is your convenient location.

• Depending on if you are running electrical through the granite to a power supply underneath you might require a hole for the cord access.

The sinks whether they are under-counter or sinks that sit on top of the counter will be fixed in place with the same silicone. These sinks are installed at the same time as the granite counter tops and must also be left to dry overnight.

The next day you can have the plumber come and hook up the drains to the sinks and install the taps.

Your tiler can start the next day as well if you require a backsplash in your kitchen. You will need to have the granite countertops covered with something like plastic or wood so that the tiler does not damage or stain the counter tops when grouting or installing tile.

Hopefully your kitchen installer installed the cabinets correctly and level, if they did then your countertop installing should go smoothly.

Rob Abbott
Village Builders Inc.