When buying a kitchen countertop, you want to make sure you get durable, attractive, and easy to maintain. While many countertops fit this description, quartz is one of the most popular choices for homeowners. These countertops have developed an excellent reputation in the last few years because of their beauty, durability, and how long they last.
Many people think that because quartz is so durable, it can’t be chipped.
Can quartz countertops be chipped? While quartz countertops are one of the hardest materials, it’s not invincible, and they can chip and crack, especially near the edges or seams.
When you notice a chip in your quartz countertop, it can be a frustrating and disheartening moment. The good news is that you can quickly repair the chip instead of replacing your countertop. Below we’ve provided the information you need about what causes chips, how to prevent them, and what you can do if they do happen.
What Causes Chips on Quartz Countertops?
As we stated above, quartz countertops are highly durable and can stand up to many other types of countertops. However, all materials are susceptible to chipping. Most often, chips occur on countertops because they are placed in the busiest area of the home.
There are a number of ways that chips can occur, such as bumping the edge with a heavy object, setting down heavy items, dropping heavy kitchen materials and equipment, or someone sitting or standing on your countertop. Using sharp knives, acidic substances such as bleach and abrasive cleaners can dissolve the resin, making it susceptible to chipping or cracks to form.
How to Prevent Chips on Quartz Countertops
Preventing chips and keeping your countertop looking new and vibrant is relatively easy if you follow a few simple suggestions. First, to keep it clean, you just need to use water and damp cotton cloth and avoid bleach and abrasive cleaners. Quartz is non-porous and can resist many stains from fruits, vegetables, and many different liquids. If you notice a spill, you need to wipe it up immediately.
Below are a few things that you should avoid
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- Cutting – while quartz is resistant to scratches, cutting, dicing, chopping, or slicing food on the countertop may cause scratches. Instead, use a cutting board.
- Chipping – if you take extra care around corners and seamed areas, it can help prevent damage to the countertop.
- Heat – avoid placing hot pans on the countertop because they can cause the resin to loosen. Instead, use trivets and hot mats to protect them.
What Should You Do If You Find a Chip?
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- Look at your warranty to see if the damage is covered. Many manufacturers offer guarantees of at least one year or longer.
- Inspect the damage. Determining the cause and the extent of the damage can help prevent future damage and determine how it was caused in the first place.
- Clean the area thoroughly. Use a cleaner with ammonia to clean the countertop, including the chip or crack. Then dry it with a microfiber cloth.
- Place masking tape in the surrounding areas of the chip. This is so you can apply the adhesive and won’t have to worry about stains.
- Clear superglue is the best type of glue to use since it won’t be noticeable when used. Use a spatula or brush to put a thin coat on the chip to apply the glue. Make sure to do it until the chip is the equal height of the surface. Don’t use too much because then it takes longer to dry.
- If you have a dark or textured countertop, you may use pigmented epoxy adhesive. To get the best results, you’ll need to use a dye in a similar shade as your countertop and then mix them.
- Once it’s attached and dried, you’ll need to use sandpaper. To get the best result, use sandpaper with grit ranges between 360 to 600. This helps even out dried glue on the surface.
- For minor cracks, you can fill the area with caulk and steadily more through the rest of the crack. Some people also choose to use silicone caulk to create a smoother line. Make sure to wipe off any additional caulk once finished. Then use plastic to smooth out the line of caulk.
Get Professional Countertop Help
Accidents happen, especially in your kitchen. If your countertop gets damaged, you may be able to fix it on your own. Some chips are small enough not to require much skill or materials to fix. When this happens, simply take the steps above.
However, if you notice a chip that’s large or you don’t feel comfortable fixing it, you should call a professional to repair it for you. If your countertops have years of wear and tear showing a lot of chips and cracks, they may recommend having a new countertop installed.
Whether you are replacing and upgrading old countertops or installing new ones as part of your remodel or new build, quality matters and you’ll get the highest quality stone countertops such as quartz, granite and marble at Wisconsin Granite Design. Our Oak Creek countertop store houses a wide selection of quartz, granite and marble in the most beautiful and unique designs, colors and patterns.
We have been fabricating and installing kitchen and bathroom countertops throughout Wisconsin for more than 20 years. There is nothing like adorning your remodel or renovation with the most alluring granite or sophisticated quartz for you to admire for years to come. Visit or call us for a Free design consultation today!