Reusing Granite Countertops

alphacwh

Just discovered this forum today...it rocks. I've got a prospective client who wants to install new cabinets and reuse the existing new granite countertop. The cabinetry footprint will remain the same. There is an epoxy seam where the two slabs and jointed in this L shaped counter. Having never removed granite before, how would be the best way to do this? Would the epoxy joint be strong enough to remove as whole piece, or should I cut the epoxy seam?

firemike

I did an"L" shapped one like that once before, but you need a lot of guys, one guy every 2 - 3 feet to keep it straight and level. The cabinets were ruined from water damage, so I cut the front of the sink base out so the undermount sink would slide out with the counter without having to lift it. We just slid the top out, filling in men where needed, with 4 guys under the top to catch it as it came off the cabinets. Carried it over and set it on a group of pre-positioned sawhorses.

9 men total, me and my 2 guys, the homeowner, his 2 sons, and 3 of his friends. The top wasn't actually that heavy, I'm guessing around 400 pounds, just large. After removel, we removed the old cabinets, let everything dry overnight, set and leveled the new ones, and reset the top. The only problem was the sink getting it up over the face frame. We ended up cuttung a few 10 inch 2x4's and stood them on end on top the back rails of the cabinet and screwed them to the back wall to secure them. As we moved the top over the base cabinets we set the back edge of teh top up on the 2x4's and while the guys in front and on the sides held the top. the guys from the back crawled inside the cabinets and lifted it off the 2x4's, moved it away from the wall just enough to clear the 2x4's and set it on the bases, removed the 2x4's from the wall and slide it back into position. Used a few small prybars to lift it up slightly to get some caulk under it. I think we got lucky, but we made some good points with the homeowner.

One thing I stressed to the homeowner before we even started the project was that I coould not guarantee it could be done, and if he wanted to try, he had to get the additional bodies to help. Then before we even attemped it that day I again stressed to the homeowner in front of everybody that it may break at the seam or might even crack somewhere esle when we try it, but he was willing to accept the risk and I had witnesses. The one thing we thought of afterword was we probably should of had some type of waiver to release us from liability if someone would have gotten hurt.

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-Mike-

reveivl

My advice would be "get it in writing". (It's not your responsibility if it breaks). The replacement cost on those things is not something you want to be responsible for.

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From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

alphacwh

Thanks for the great insight. Wasn't thinking that so many hands would be needed to lift, but I now understand. I really hope not a lot of adhesive was used to secure the top. I will also make sure to CMA will a signed document.

Bob Kovacs

Depends on how the top was installed. Some guys use silicone, and some use epoxy. The epoxy will likely take pieces of the cabinets with it, while silicone will depend on how much silicone was used.

I'd say you've got probably a 25% chance of getting the top out without damage, so as already said, be sure to CYA in writing.

Bob

Tyler Homes

More like 60% as long as you take the time to (prep)