How To Remove Granite Countertops?

If you want to remove granite countertops, you should take the help of an expert as removing these needs massive skills and strength. You should use essential tools to remove the granite countertops.

Sometimes, you can face your cabinets or counters encountering massive damage for which it needs removal and replacement. You can remove these in one piece, but we advise you to seek experts to remove your granite countertops safely.

Granite is a natural stone extracted from quarries worldwide and works as an excellent countertop material for its durability and attractiveness. In addition, the stone features color variations used to convert the aesthetic of your kitchen entirely. As it is heavy, countertops are designed in parts and assembled on site. You can use Epoxy resin to connect the parts at their joints.

Tools Required When Removing A Granite Countertop

These are becoming famous day by day amongst homeowners. They are unique because you can remove the old worktops without damaging their cabinets. You can find Granite slabs providing detailed instructions to let you know how you should complete the project and what tools you will need. how to remove granite countertops? If you are willing to remove the slabs seamlessly, you will need different special tools, including—

• Wrench
• Dust mask
• Gloves
• Putty knife
• Pry bar
• Caulk softener
• Box cutter
• Bucket
• Safety goggles
• Chisel
• Screwdriver

You should use a Reciprocating saw when the granite countertop becomes heavy and massive. These essential tools help you to remove the granite countertop.

Steps To Remove Granite Countertops

Remember that this process is a time-consuming DIY project. Therefore, you should take the help of a professional when you don’t want to do it yourself or don’t have sufficient time. Regarding labor and supplies, if you want to remove these, you will need to invest from $1,000 to $2,500. So how do remove granite countertops?

Turn off the water faucets:If you don’t want any water spills during the process, your job should be to close the water valve under the sink faucet. Next, you need to turn the hot & cold water valves clockwise until the water stops running. You can use pliers or a wrench to move the nut counterclockwise. Thus, you can release the water lines above the valves.

Disconnect the Faucets: You should first follow your disconnected water pipes to the sink bottom. After that, you need to spin the nuts counterclockwise with the help of pliers to separate them. Push these upwards to remove the faucets from the rim.

Take out the sink: You need to find the hold-down brackets around the base of the tub or in the cabinet. After that, your job is to unscrew the nuts to remove them from every bracket. Then, you should break the caulk that has connected the sink to the granite countertop with the help of a knife or a flat chisel to break the glue and caulk.

If you are willing to raise the sink, use a rubber mallet to tap it on its bottom. You need to lift out the sink to remove it. This one is a handy process for under-mount sinks. You can take the help of a putty knife or a chisel to break through the adhesive layer to hold it to the countertop. Remember that you should follow the trick for drop-in fixture sinks.

Remove all the Plywood: You can find a plywood layer between cabinets and the granite on the countertop’s bottom. If you want to remove the plywood, undo the screws connecting the plywood sheet to the cabinet from the inside. You can take the help of a drill and a screw tip. You should see if the second set of screws runs up into it from the cabinet’s top. Remove granite if you see nothing there. Hence, your job is to break the glue holding it to the granite countertop.

Remove the Backsplash: You need to remove the backsplash by attaching the countertop with a hammer and a leveling pry bar. Stroke the pry bar slowly using your hammer at the uppermost edge of the backsplash. Continue the process until you remove all the connected backsplash.

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Tips On How To Remove Granite Countertops, Proper Removal, And Disposal

These Are Something You Should Follow.

Preparation

Your first task should be to clear the space of all drawers and cabinets. Thus, you can prevent breakage or dust contamination in your kitchen. Ensure that you use proper tools, including a dust mask, gloves, wrench, safety goggles, putty knife, caulk softener, bucket, screwdriver, pry bar, box cutter, chisel, and a saw. These are lucrative when you use them on material as heavy and oversized as a granite countertop.

After that, your task is to power off all electricity to avoid damage. Repeat the process with your water connection. Hence, you must close the hot and cold lines and the emergency cut-off valve. Then, all lines must be disengaged. If you want to unplug the faucets, find the unplugged water lines at the sink bottom. You should turn the nuts on the hold-down brackets’ bottom counterclockwise with pliers.

When you disconnect these, it becomes more adjustable. You only need to push these from the rim upwards to remove these. Remember that you should repeat a similar process to remove the sink. Unscrew the nuts to remove them from every bracket. Then, you should break the caulk that has connected the sink to the granite countertop with the help of a knife or a flat chisel to break the glue and caulk.

If you want to raise the sink, tap it on its bottom with a rubber mallet. You should lift out the sink to remove it. Remember that it is a handy method for under-mount sinks. You can use a knife or a chisel to break through the adhesive layer, adjusting the sink to the countertop. Thus, you can remove a drop-in fixture sink.

Removal

Handle the removal process of the granite from the plywood, which you can glue to the countertop, but it relies on the installed granite thickness. If you are willing to remove it, you should loosen the screws attaching the plywood sheet to the cabinet. In this case, you should use a screw tip and a drill. You can get the screws inside the cabinet. But these are also available in the plywood from the top. Break the adhesive whether you won’t find it to remove the plywood.

After that, you should use a hammer and pry bar. Then, hit gently from the top edge of the backsplash attached to the granite countertop. Thus, it is possible to remove the backsplash. The primary work of removing the main granite is still to be done. You should look for a joint to attach the cabinet to the countertop. After that, you put a pry bar into the space to break the glue and use a hammer to hit it slowly.

Hit a wooden shim to hold the countertop properly between it and the cabinet’s front edge. Now, try to remove the frame by screwing the front side. You should continue the method inside the cabinet with the pry bar to raise the granite away from the cabinet. Remember to do this carefully to prevent the risk of breaking your countertop. Ensure that you should put wooden shims to hold the gap between the two.

Lifting the countertop is hard, and you will need a workforce. In this case, it will be better if one person is permanently stationed every 3-4 feet of the granite slab. Go to the back edge and tilt the countertops from there. You should try lifting the granite slabs and removing these in one piece. You should carry the natural stone vertically. Ensure that you must not carry granite countertops flat. Otherwise, it can cause injury.

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Final Steps

After the removal of granite, depending on the situation, you should consider using it. For example, you can remove an old countertop in a bathroom or kitchen. But whether the item is worn out, you will want to sell it as scrap or donate it to a place that can be used. Keep its top facing downwards to store it. Hence, you should remember that the task is not for everyone. In addition, it will need essential tools, proper equipment, and knowledge. Thus, you can learn how to remove granite countertops.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it easy to remove granite countertops?

Countertop materials like laminate are simple to DIY. But if you want to remove granite slabs and install quartz, you must be an expert and have essential tools to fix the problem. We advise you to take the help of an expert to seek the services. Thus, you can turn the entire procedure into a success.

2. How do I remove a glued countertop?

You should use a utility knife to cut the caulk between the backsplash and the wall. After that, your task is to slide it in between these. If you want to simplify the method, you will need a pry bar to pry off the countertop. Whether you are willing to avoid damage, pry the backsplash away from the wall where there is a stud.

3. Can granite be removed without breaking?

Contractors usually want to break granite tops into pieces. However, you should make a proper plan to remove these in one piece. As it is very heavy, you must be aware of it while removing it.

4. How do I remove a countertop without breaking it?

You must carry the countertops in a vertical position. Ensure that it must not be horizontally flat. Thus, you can avoid cracking or breaking the stone. If you are willing to transport granite slabs, you should carry these on edge in an A-frame rack.

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