Cracked stone countertop: can it be repaired
Often, yes. First you need to tell a natural fissure in the stone from a crack. A fissure is not a defect and usually needs no repair. A crack that runs through the slab is bonded with resin and, if needed, reinforced from below with rods. If the crack keeps growing, you have to find the cause, most often the support.
Fissure or crack
Natural stone has fissures: hairline lines that formed together with the rock. They do not go through the whole slab and are not damage.1 A crack goes through the slab from top to bottom or from the edge inwards, has a width you can feel and sometimes chipped edges.1
What causes a crack
- Uneven or weak support: the cabinets have sagged and the countertop is hanging.
- An impact from a heavy object.
- Narrow sections next to the cutouts for the sink and hob.
- A sudden change in temperature, for example a hot pot on cold stone.
How it is repaired
The crack is cleaned, dried and filled with resin in the colour of the stone. When the crack weakens the slab, channels are milled on the underside and rods are bonded in with resin.1 Finally, the surface is ground and polished.
The cause comes first
If the crack was caused by the support, gluing alone is not enough. The cabinets need fixing or a bracket has to be added, otherwise the stone will crack again.
When to replace
When the piece is broken into several parts, pieces are missing, or the crack runs along the whole length of the narrow strip by the sink, it is sometimes better to replace the piece.
What to do right away
Do not put weight on the cracked area and do not flood it with water. Take photos close up and from a distance and send them to us. We will tell you whether it is a fissure or a crack.
(Sources)
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Dynamic Stone Tools, Epoxy Rod Repairs in Stone Countertops: A Complete Guide
(Questions)
Will the crack show after the repair?
Done well, with resin matched to the stone colour, it is barely visible. On a uniform dark stone it can be invisible.
Can I glue the crack myself?
We do not recommend it. DIY store glue darkens and does not strengthen the slab. Call us, we will assess it from photos.
