Having just had on installed I have several questions so obviously who else better to ask than the STW massive?

Firstly our builder ordered amd installed the worktop not the Granite suppliers. There was a delay when the builder collected it due to a flaw which he says he spotted. 3 days later (Friday 23rd Dec) the “new” piece came and was fitted. All looks ok although its not level with the rest of the worktops fitted in one of the corners.
2 days later and upon cleaning the glue off everywhwre I discover the flaw is infact where the Granite has snapped off and been reattached again. This is a cut out piece around the induction hob. Now the repair is almost invisible to be fair but you can feel it and see it on close inspection. Secondly it has a shamfered edge which doesnt match the adjoining piece.

My question is, now this piece has already broken off and been glued back on, is it likely to be a weak spot from now on and maybe break off again in 3, 6 or 12 months? Should I demand to have it replaced or am I worrying over nothing?

Also any recommends on products to seal and protect Granite from water and other stains?

The builder has fitted the worktop that has a chunk broken off then glued back on?

I wouldn’t accept that at all. I wouldn’t go in a strop about it but just discuss politely with the builder.

If you’re paying granite countertop prices, I’d expect a granite countertop.

If you’re paying crazy paving prices, then you might be OK with that. I doubt I would be. There’s several faults here.

I’ve had granite in several kitchens. Measuring/cutting requires specialist tools that I wouldn’t expect a builder to have. Job for a specialist IMHO.

Bottom line is the install is faulty, possibly the builders snapped the piece and tried to cover it up. I hope you haven’t paid the full bill yet.

Our old worktops were installed by the stone supplier.

The piece that’s “been stuck back on” is it the section behind the hob or a chunk? A lot of granite companies use the section behind the hob to join 2 lengths together if the run requires it, so might not actually be a fault.

If this is the case and as long as it’s properly supported it should be fine. the bevel may be where they’ve cut back some surface to allow the resin to join?

Again though, our granite fitters template, manufacture and fit themselves, they don’t cut stuff onsite unless absolutely required and even then it’s only adjustments.

More info required.

Thanks for responding. There are 2 pieces joined at the hob as they couldnt get 1 length (too long).
Not sure who broke the Granite, maybe builder or Granite supplier loading onto the builders van and he is covering for them. I dont suppose I will ever find out.
Will post some photos shortly.

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The broken piece isnt very visible but its at the front right corner of the hob about 1cm in
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I’m not sure what your arrangement is with the builder, I assume he’s charging you? If our granite suppliers left that onsite they’d be coming back to sort it, but they are a professional stone company who charge a fair whack for their services, they also wouldn’t have left it covered in glue to clean off!

It’s most likely be fine but only you can make the call how to deal with it.

regrading sealing it, Lithofin Stainstop is the industry standard stone sealant.

If you accept that it will annoy you forever.

In over 25 years as a kitchen fitter I have never heard of a builder fitting the granite themselves. It is a specialised job that requires accurate templating. The join in the centre of the hob is dire. and the other join isn’t much better its wider at the back than at the front. There is no way I would accept the two different profiles.
Granite work tops are expensive and supposed to be a thing of beauty.

If you accept that it will annoy you forever.

This is very true.
The tops wont be flush where they join because; a) the units are not level. b) there is a difference in the thickness of the stone which suggests the pieces came from two different batches( not good practice). Even so good fitters would have used shims and packers to make them flush before jointing.

In over 25 years as a kitchen fitter I have never heard of a builder fitting the granite themselves. It is a specialised job that requires accurate templating. The join in the centre of the hob is dire. and the other join isn’t much better its wider at the back than at the front. There is no way I would accept the two different profiles.
Granite work tops are expensive and supposed to be a thing of beauty.
If you accept that it will annoy you forever.

+1

All worktops (the heavier the materials, the more this is the case)are very vulnerable to breaking at sink/hob cut outs whilst they are being transported and lifted into position. A builder might not know that; he does now!

Even without the break, that’s an awful job IMHO. Granite joins should be barely visible – that stands out a mile.

It’s difficult because as we found dealing with this builders/kitchen fitters the customer service is not quite what you might get from the likes of John Lewis/M&S.

We have recently had a new kitchen fitted and opted for Quartz. As already stated kitchen fitter did not fit ours but the supplier who templates, check I was happy and then manufactured/fitted.

If you paid the going rate it’s bloody expensive so you want to be happy with it. I’d invite them back (if not already onsite) to discuss your concerns nicely and take it from there. Saying that nearly all tradesmen will try and convince you it’s right, your worktop in particular would be one expensive mistake to put right!!

worked in a few houses with granit worktps and the joints dont usually show, and are the same colour as the granite, a kitchen supplier are now seling granite worktops, i asked about cutting them they said a special blade in a circular saw, and carry on edge not flat, the sum total of their instalation instructions, crap it a specialist heavy and expensive job,go back to builder.

He has been back and to he fair has agreed with all our concerns so will wait and see what develops….
Thanks for your input.