Worktops are sometimes removed for legitimate reasons — kitchen refits, appliance replacements, plumbing access, or moving house. The removal and reinstallation process almost always results in some degree of damage, even when care is taken. Chips at edges and corners, hairline cracks, scratched surfaces and broken sealant lines are all common outcomes. Shazam Repairs carries out professional worktop repair after removal and reinstallation across all worktop materials.
Why Removal Causes Damage
Stone, quartz and other hard worktops are bonded and siliconed in place. Removal requires cutting through silicone, releasing adhesive bonds and lifting heavy sections of material without the leverage points available during original installation. Common damage points include:
- Edge chips — from the worktop catching on cabinets or walls during removal
- Corner chips — corners are the first contact point when a slab shifts
- Silicone residue damage — aggressive silicone removal can scratch or dull the surface
- Handling marks — suction cups and clamps leave marks on polished surfaces under pressure
- Re-installation chips — worktops are just as likely to be damaged going back in as coming out
New Kitchen — New Chips
Even newly installed worktops from a kitchen refit can arrive with damage from the fabricator’s yard, transport or the fitting process itself. It’s not unusual for homeowners to notice chips on day one. Professional repair at this stage is far better than living with visible damage on a brand-new kitchen.
What We Can Repair
- Corner and edge chips on quartz, granite, marble and composite
- Surface chips and scratches from handling and installation
- Laminate edge chips and lifting at cut edges
- Silicone staining and chemical marking
- Seam gaps and level differences at worktop joints
