Removing your old counter tops, sink, and other appliances can save you a lot of money on a kitchen renovation. In fact, we saved almost $650 by doing these steps ourselves. This is the fourth counter top installation we have done for either ourselves or friends but the first granite installation. Removal of the existing counter tops is not that difficult but I have a few tips for anyone who is interested.
1. Wear safety equipment. As with any DIY, wear the proper gear such as gloves, masks, glasses, and proper shoes. You never know when you are going to drop a hammer on your foot or step on a nail. You should also use the proper safety equipment to prepare for the unexpected, particularly if you have an older home. Are you prepared to deal with such hazards as asbestos, lead paint, or mold? In our kitchen, we knew their was some mold behind the sink from the previous owners. We were ecstatic to find out that it was only very superficial and had not extended down anywhere else. However, we wore masks because we did not know what we would find or what type of mold it was. Unfortunately, we also found that the previous installers had hammered out the wall behind the counter tops in order to force the laminate counter tops to fit. This is, apparently, a common occurrence.
2. Check for proper fit. If you are also replacing your sink or any appliance with connections, make sure the connections will properly fit before the install. Make sure the pipes, gas lines, and electrical are long enough for a potential change in height. This is particularly true if you are changing the depth of the sink. Will the garbage disposal still hook up properly? Check not only how much room you have under the sink but also that the lines coming from the wall will accommodate a change in height. Many people do not realize that sinks only include the shell in the price. You will have to purchase the drain kits if reinstalling yourself.
3. Always check for level. It’s a fact that houses settle and that cabinets may not be level. A good countertop installer will make sure that your counter tops are level. However, always make sure your counter tops are shimmed properly. Do this by placing a level on the counter tops before your intallers leave.
4. Remove everything from your cabinets. Dust will happen. Dropping something may happen. That will leave your dishes and bakeware exposed.
5. Make sure you review and approve everything. Very few things are cut on site. If you have a natural stone, make sure you approve not only the slab, but the placement of the cuts as well. There may be a mar in a section of the counter top you want to avoid or you want to minimize any seams. Ask to see the slab with the cut markings on it before they cut. The outlets behind our bar were not correctly measured and cut on-site. They had to bring out a new piece a couple of days later to fix that but it was worth it. On a laminate bar top we did a few years ago, we made absolutely sure they would use one solid piece without seams because it was 45 inches wide. Reviewing and asking questions is very important when you are working with any company.
40% Progress!
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You said that we should approve everything. If I was going to get a new countertop I would want to know that it was something that I wanted. Maybe I should look at different types of countertops before I choose one.
I like your tip to wear safety equipment when removing your countertop. I had a friend who found asbestos under their table. Just like you say, there can be some dangerous things that you are unaware of. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Wow, I really love how your kitchen turned out! I think the stone is a really unique addition, and it makes the whole room look very polished and updated. Additionally, I really liked the color of your countertops. I like that it’s not too busy, so it meshes well with the other colors and designs in the kitchen. Overall, thank you for sharing your progress!
I have been wanting to replace my counter-tops for a while, but I wasn’t sure how complicated it would be. For this reason, I greatly appreciate your step by step instructions on what needs to be checked for something like this. I agree that it is imperative to be sure that the counter fits perfectly around all of the appliances already installed in you kitchen. Thank you for the helpful article and for all of the professional tips about counters.
I appreciate your wonderful and sincere comment. I hope your install goes smoothly!
Wow, you’re on a roll girl! Can’t wait to see what you’ve picked for your back splash area.
I am in love with the backsplash! It’s funny that you mention it. I had to fight for it though because I wanted a white backsplash with no decorative tiles. We already have some pretty bold choices in the kitchen so I needed something to be more subtle. Everyone tried to convince me to add a border, or add metal tiles, or whatever. But after seeing it up, I know I was totally right to ignore them! haha. Even hubby admits that I was right. Can’t wait to show it off.