Warped Outdoor Kitchen Countertop

by Gina
(Texas)

QUESTION:

I have an outdoor kitchen with 3/4" granite countertops. It is about 7-years old. The "grout" from the seams wasn't installed properly and the boards underneath the granite are warped and need to be replaced. I have been told that when lifting my granite it may crumble? Is this actually possible?

ANSWER:

Hi Gina, sorry to hear about your outdoor kitchen countertop troubles.

Constant exposure to water or trapped water is not good for any material. While it is possible (given enough time) that the cycle of water seeping through the grout, saturating the granite and then evaporating could degrade your granite it is not likely in 7 years.

Of course, handle the granite with care when removing just to be sure... nothing is ever absolutely certain.

The original outdoor kitchen countertop installation should have used a marine grade plywood with a waterproof membrane on top of the plywood. Thinset and tile on top of that.

This would effectively seal the plywood and keep moisture out so the plywood would not warp and rot.

So, for the repair you certainly want to interview the contractor and get detailed answers regarding exactly how the re-installation will be done and what materials will be used to make the structure as water resistant as possible.

Good Luck,
Ryan

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