Moisture Damage Causes Loose Sink and Broken Granite
Moisture is the number one cause of stone installation failure. Homeowners in Scottsdale, Arizona contacted us when a large crack appeared in the granite behind their sink, right between the faucet and the backsplash. Moisture from the faucet had made its way into the stone, where there was a metal rod. In time, the rod became rusted, which caused it to expand inside the stone. Since there was not enough space for this expansion, the pressure caused the stone to split. In the stone industry, we refer to this problem as rear rod jacking. The sink’s failed moisture barrier resulted not only in stone damage, but also a loose sink. The loose sink was the only thing holding the broken stone in place.
Granite Sink Repair
We masked and protected the cabinets, wall, and floor around our work area. Then, removed loose sink, being careful to hold on to any of the pieces of granite that had broken loose. We removed the portions of rod that had been ruined by iron oxidation (rust) and thoroughly cleaned and neutralized the area. Using tinted epoxy and professional-grade adhesives, we reassembled the pieces of granite. After we reinstalled the sink, we recaulked and resealed to create a strong, dependable moisture barrier. Our honing and polishing process created a beautiful finish that blended perfectly with the surrounding area. Our final step was to apply a high-quality impregnating sealer.
The homeowners were relieved that our fees for repair and restoration were much less than what it would have cost them to replace the entire top. They were amazed at how our repairs were so precise that only we and they would ever know there had been damage.
To learn more, visit our Granite Services page.