michael
Are your bathroom countertops broken or badly stained? Replacing broken or stained countertops will completely change the aesthetics in your bathroom. Again, you might also need to change your tastes and styles, and the existing countertop is not matching that, so you change it to make it the color or countertop of your choice. When the whole bathroom starts to look dated, the easiest way to change its look is to replace bathroom countertops.
Irrespective of the reason why you are changing your bathroom countertops, you need a simple guide to help you remove the existing countertop, pick the right modern countertop, prepare the new countertop, and install it the right way. Note that, if you do not fit the new countertop right, it might be at risk of cracking.
With reasonable DIY skills, you can install new countertops in your bathroom and save on professional installation costs. The process takes only a few hours from your busy day. If you have no experience in DIY projects at all, you are better off hiring a contractor to avoid causing plumbing issues that might cost you more than it would to hire a professional. Below is an outline of steps to follow to replace your bathroom countertops.
How to Remove a Countertop
Replacing countertops is as easy as removing the existing countertop and placing the new countertop. To do that, you need first to loosen all connections, lift off the exiting countertop and then place the new countertop on the space. You can look at different countertops on Caesarstone.
Disconnect The Water Before Replacing Bathroom Countertops
This should be the first step for both amateur and experienced DIYers. By disconnecting the water, you avoid simple accidents that might see your home flood from the bathroom to other areas. Again, it is easier to work in a dry bathroom as fall accidents are less common. Again, you will be disconnecting the pipes from the sinks and any other features that the countertop touches – you cannot do that when the water supply is still connected.
Remove Connections From The Countertop Sink
The countertop sink forms part of your countertop. As such, it needs to be disconnected and taken off the countertop. To start with, disconnect the pipes and hoses beneath the countertop sink. To do that, get a wrench or pliers. These simple tools will help you avoid a mess. Again, ensure there is a drip pan below the countertop sink to ensure you do not mess up your floor – which will mean a lot of clean-up afterward.
Remove All Bathroom Counter Décor
Remove anything that is on the countertop before loosening the countertop. Most of the bathroom counter décor materials will be reused on the new countertop, especially if the bathroom countertop materials for the existing and the new countertops are the same. Clearing the countertop counter décor prevents breakages.
Loosen the Existing Bathroom Countertop’s Caulking
Using a box cutter, remove the caulking on the bathroom countertop. When you remove the caulk from the countertop, the whole countertop will loosen.
Lift and Remove the Bathroom Countertop
Get help and gently lift the countertop off the bathroom counters. The weight of the countertop will depend on the bathroom countertop materials – quartz is heavier and harder than all the other materials. If the countertop is still in good condition, you can give it away or sell it to someone else. If it is broken, you need to discard it.
Replacing Your Bathroom Countertop
Once you’ve learned how to remove a countertop, the next step is replacing the existing countertop with a new countertop. You might replace the countertop with the same bathroom countertop materials, or you might get better materials if you are looking to upgrade. For instance, you might remove granite for quartz.
Level Your Cabinets using Shim and Caulk their Edges
The new countertop needs to be placed on level cabinets to reduce the risk of breaking. Over time, cabinets that were level wear down and are no longer flat to hold a countertop. If your countertops are not flat, install shims to make them flat enough to hold your countertop.
After ensuring the cabinets are flat, run caulk along the edges of the cabinets where the countertop will sit.
Place Your Countertop and Seal It
Removing and placing a countertop in place, especially heavy materials such as quartz, granite, or marble, is not a one-person job – you will need an extra set of hands to precisely place the countertop in place. You need to not only know how to remove a countertop but also how to place it in a precise position. If the countertop comes in more than one piece, position one piece at a time.
If you need to install backsplash with the countertop, add caulk along the edges of the backsplash, position it, and press it into place. After installing the countertop, you need to seal it along the edges to ensure it is firmly fixed into place. You only need a thin layer of caulk for the edges.
Connect the Pipes and Turn Your Water Back On
Connect all your plumbing back in place. Use a wrench or pliers and ensure all pipes and hoses are firmly fixed to prevent leaks. Ensure that the countertop sink is also connected securely. After connecting, place a drip pan below the sink and turn the water back on. Try both the hot and cold water supply to ensure they are correctly connected.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you might need to have new bathroom countertops – to upgrade to a better countertop, to remove a broken or stained countertop, or to bring in a counter that matches modern bathroom counter décor and new bathroom colors. Whichever the reason, learn how to remove a countertop and how to place a new one in position safely. Besides, learn how to pick the type of bathroom countertop materials that will give you value for your money. Today, granite, marble, and quartz are the leading countertop materials. On the high end, is quartz which is highly durable.
