Countertops chips happen a lot, and just as normal as it sounds, chips can be quite frustrating and it can be a pain to fix. Here are some ways by which you can easily fix chips on granite kitchen countertops.

How Do Chips Occur On Countertops

Countertop chips are very common to occur. They happen in almost any stone or material, ranging from marble, to ceramic, to tile, to even granite. Yes, you heard it right! Even granite chips. The strongest and most durable material for countertops can chip too. The reason why is because the sides of any countertop are the most delicate and fragile part of the entire kitchen countertop.

The sides are very thin, and they can break and chip under an impact of some degree. The sides of a countertop are also the most exposed and the most unprotected part of the whole kitchen countertop, so you can bet that they will be prone to breaking and chipping. Chips and cracks in countertops, specifically in granite, are of two types. One is hairline crack and the other is separated crack. Let’s see in detail what they are:

Hairline Crack/Chip

Hairline crack, as the name suggests, is a very small crack or fissure, which occurs on top if the granite surface, when the countertop is being installed. The crack is not too deep and it is just a faint line across the countertop. Depending on the impact, when it is being installed, the hairline crack or chip can be so small that it is not even noticeable, or it can be large, but still, regardless of the size of the hairline crack or chip, the chip has no divot or depth in it.

It is just a small fissure, which usually blends in with the design of the granite. It doesn’t need any sort of repair because it is virtually unnoticeable. You can easily get away with a hairline crack or chip, if it is not deep and it is just a small scar or scratch on the surface of granite.

Separated Crack/ Chip

Now, separated crack or chip is a problematic chip. It is also a scratch on the surface of granite, but mostly, separated cracks are deep and they have a sliver in them. The depth of the sliver depends on the impact. If the sliver is so deep, that if you run your finger through the surface on top of the scratch, you can feel it and if you try to jam a knife or a small coin it, the coin or knife goes into the crack, then you need to fill the crack up. Otherwise, the crack is just a storage place for dropped or leaked fluids, small debris, dirt, and food particles.

The separated crack is also very much noticeable and it can be seen, because it doesn’t blend in with the design of the granite material. Your best bet is to get it filled before the material deteriorates even more.

How To Fix Countertop Chips?

Here are some ways you can be able to fix a granite countertop chip.

Call A Countertop Installer

If you are not confident and comfortable repairing the crack yourself, then it’s best if you call in a repairman. But, first, you have to identify what type of crack is present on the surface of the granite. If it’s a hairline crack, then you don’t need to call a repairman because you can easily get away with it. If it is a separated crack, then you need to call in a repairman to get the crack filled and fixed.

Do It Yourself

If you want to do it by yourself, then all you really need is a colored filler. The filler fills in the crack and the color is according to the color of your countertop. You let the filler dry and smooth the top of the surface with sandpaper after the filler has completely dried and turned rock hard.

Conclusion

There you have it! These simple steps and tricks can fix chips easily, so you don’t have to worry about chips occurring anymore. It’s better to use the skills of a professional granite countertop installer Durham NC to fix chips and cracks.