Problem with undermount sink install

15 years ago

I've searched the archives and can't find any discussion on this...any thoughts?

We had a custom home built just over two years ago and unfortunately trusted a GC who didn't always know what he was doing. Everything was someone else's responsibility. The sad fact is most of the contractors and companies who built our home are now out of business. So who do we call when all the original installers are gone?

We ordered a Blanco Silgranite under mount sink (from a national website--shipped to us). It was installed (I thought by our granite fabricator, who is now out of business)...but it looks like it was only glued and sealed under the granite. A year later, the seal started pulling away from the under side of the granite. My husband discovered that the sink was not clipped or held in any other way.

So now, we have a broken seal, and the heavy silgranite sink is being propped up because we don't know how to fix it.

Any ideas? We tried getting our plumber to look at it...but this is the same guy who wanted us to order a new faucet when our Kohler Vinnata was getting clogged up. Thank goodness we knew that the $600 faucet came with a lifetime warranty and Kohler sent out a new head that fixed our problems.

So...not sure that I trust the plumber.

Sink came from a website, no local company to come out.

Not on speaking terms with the GC who cheated us out of money and made up invoices.

The cabinet maker never even came back to finish the trim work...much less fix any problems.

The granite company went out of business after 33 yrs in the area.

Who do we call for help?

TIA--I appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond.

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Comments (8)

weissman
15 years ago
Find another granite fabricator and see if they can fix the problem. This isn't really a plumbing issue.
shannonplus2
15 years ago
I agree with Weissman. Also, regarding your plumber - if you already feel you can't trust him, why on earth do you keep going back to him? There must be other plumbers. Do you have Angie's List for your region? It is a great resource for finding good contractors. I think it costs $15 to sign up, and $4-5 each month. You can cancel at any time when you no longer need contractors. It's very worth it, cause you can find contractors who are reputable and who have received reviews from actual people. Much better than relying on BBB or even friends-of-friends type recs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Angie's List
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rob from nj
15 years ago
You'll need a granite fabricator to drill holes in the underside of the counter the install fasteners and clips.

You need to call and get the clips from Blanco.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blanco installation instructions
fairytalebaby
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I should've also mentioned that the other granite fabricators in our area won't touch it because it wasn't their install. I'll check in to Angie's List because I don't want to risk getting someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

As far as our plumber...we live in a tiny little town. Far from other tiny little towns. We may as well call in Mayberry. There are two (count them...TWO) plumbers in town and we've tried them both. If something big comes up, we may have to pay someone from the big city to drive over the mountain and take care of us...but for now, small town plumber of Mayberry does a good job as long as it's not something out of his expertise.
dawn_t
15 years ago
Sorry to hear of your troubles :(
If you cannot get a granite fabricator to drill and re-do the sink installation, I'm wondering if the "sink setter" is an option for you? It's essentially a sturdy metal cradle that supports and holds an undermount sink firmly in place against any counter top.
I think there are a few threads discussing this here somewhere

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
davidro1
15 years ago
instead of drilling holes in the granite underside, you install cross braces under two sides. The braces get attached to the wooden cabinet sides.

This is safer than any other idea. Drilling holes in granite is not good for a number of reasons all related to its inherent fissures - which might get weakened by drilling small holes. Supporting weight from screws put into these holes is even worse.

Cross braces can be wood or steel or anything strong. You can make them yourself, or get a handyman to do this, or you can buy a package designed to do the job. In the latter case, the braces will be made of two parts, slide-in slide-out, and in my mind that is not as strong as making a single-element brace on your own.

hth
fairytalebaby
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the ideas and the picture of the cross braces. I'll let you know what we decide to do in the next few weeks. I can't wait to have a sealed, functional sink again!
nerdyshopper
15 years ago
When we had our undermount sink installed on a Cambria stone counter, the installers attached wood braces as davidro 1 suggested. I don't know if they were attached to the cabinet or just glued to the underside of the counter.