Installation, Prep To Finish
How to Prepare for Countertop Installation
Proper preparation ensures a smooth installation process and minimizes potential delays. Here’s how to get your home ready:
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1. Clear the Area
Remove any items from the existing countertops, drawers, and cabinets. This includes small appliances, décor, and dishware.
2. Secure Pets and Children
Installation requires heavy lifting, power tools, and adhesives. For safety, keep children and pets away from the work area.
3. Ensure Easy Access
Clear driveways, hallways, and doorways so installers can move large slabs safely into your home.
4. Disconnect
Contact your plumbers & electricians to unhook your fixtures and appliances from the existing countertops.
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Leveling Cabinets Before Countertop Installation
Before your countertops can be installed, it’s critical that the cabinets they rest on are properly leveled. Uneven cabinets can cause a range of issues, from cracks in the countertop to improper alignment and long-term damage. Industry standard is for cabinets to be within ¼” level.
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Why Cabinet Leveling Matters
Granite, quartz, marble and quartzite countertops are heavy and require stable, level surfaces to support their weight. If the cabinets are not level, seams may not align properly, countertops could crack under stress, gaps may appear between the stone and cabinetry, water pooling or drainage issues could occur.
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What to Expect During a Countertop Installation
Understanding what happens on installation day can help ease any anxiety and ensure you’re prepared.
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Step-by-Step Installation Process:
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1. Arrival & Setup
Our crew arrives during your scheduled window and begins preparing the space. This includes laying down protective coverings and reviewing the final design. No other trades should be in the area during the installation.
2. Removing Old Countertops (if needed)
If we’re removing existing countertops, this is done first. The old material is carefully detached and removed from the premise.
3. Dry Fitting the New Countertops
The slabs are placed onto the cabinets to ensure a perfect fit before adhesive is applied.
4. Seaming & Joining
If multiple slabs are required, our installers align them precisely using the most advanced vacuum tools for almost invisible seam. Seam adhesive is color-matched to your stone for minimal visibility.
5. Securing the Countertops
Once aligned, we use epoxy and brackets to secure the stone in place.
6. Sink & Cooktop Cutouts
Pre-cut openings for sinks and cooktops are refined as needed, and the sink is often mounted with brackets or clips underneath the countertop.
7. Caulking & Finishing Touches
We apply paintable caulk around backsplashes and silicone around areas that are in contact with water to create a watertight seal. The final product has a perfect finish.
8. Final Clean-Up & Inspection
We clean the workspace and walk you through the finished job. If sealing is required (like with granite), we’ll apply it before leaving.
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Will Replacing My Countertops Disrupt My Daily Life?
It’s natural to wonder how much a countertop replacement will impact your routine.
Here’s what to expect:
Temporary Kitchen Disruption: Your kitchen will be unusable on installation day. If a sink or cooktop is involved, you’ll need a plumber to reconnect these—typically the following day.
Noise & Dust: Installation involves power tools and grinding, which can be noisy. Certain materials require faucet holes and cooktop openings to be cut out on premise, to avoid possible damage to the material during transportation. We minimize dust with vacuum attachments, but it’s a good idea to cover nearby furniture.
Limited Access: Stay out of the installation area during the process to ensure safety and allow the crew to work efficiently without interruptions.
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