Lifting a granite counter

[Gaze]

Not a welding question, so I won't be surprised if no replys, but I know the knowledge base here goes way beyond welding.

I was thinking about lifting the granite counters up in my kitchen and removing and swapping out the cabinets below with new ones. The granite is nice and in perfect shape, so happy with it, but not so much with the cabinets.

Any ideas how I might do this...do you think this is possible or too difficult? I'd hate to crack the granite, but I thought maybe suction cups or some type of jack devices might work.

[hankj]

Consider leaving the counter top in place and just replacing the cabinet face frames. Id the cabinet boxes are still in good shape, it's a lot easier to just install new face frames.

If you decide to R & R the whole thing, instead of trying to lift the granite, I'd yank a cabinet and build a support for the countertop in the space vacated by the cabinet, and continue like that 'till all the cabinets are out.

Then, if you want to raise the top, it will be easy to get some slings on it and set up a good lift.

If you build the new cabinets just slide 'em into the spots one at a time by removing the temporary supports.

Hank

[k.a.m]

just removed some marble off some cabinet pieces in a bathroom. alot of carefull demo work with a reciprcating saw we cut between the plaster that held the marble down and the marble itself. the granite is probobly glued to your counter tops if you have backsplashes glued to the wall you are going to have deal with that to you might consider encorporating an installer for removal ideas he might cut you a deal on reinstalling if he takes it out. good luck

[Gaze]

well that's wierd...I responded to hank's reply several hours ago, but my post didn't show up :rolleyes:

now I forgot what I wrote, except to say thanks for the suggestions and how I might be able to remove a couple of the built-ins like the cooktop and dishwasher to get started with an empty spot below the counter and lift somehow to get enough gap to slip some straps in.

I also wrote something about how the granite slabs might snap like a large piece of glass or maybe they're stiff enough to stay intact?

If I come across an installer, will ask his opinion, but knowing me I probably won't pay for someone else to do it if it's feasible DIY.

dang, I wish my earlier post didn't vanish because I also mentioned something about how the cabinets are in perfect shape and I wanted to reuse them in a rental we have and get new upgraded ones for our place.

The backsplashes are 6 inch high all the way around and seems they'll need to be pryed off first. Could get messy. I would consider just refinishing the existing cabinets, but now sure how good it would look and the other big problem with that is we want a different door style :rolleyes:

[hankj]

If the cabinet shells a good, as you say, it's no sweat to reface them and install new doors. It would be a lot easier than tearing down the backsplashes, etc. The backsplashes are, no doubt, held in place with construction adhiesive, which will not let go and will destry the drywall behind the backsplah, so you'll be repairing that too!

Granite is pretty sturdy, but like anything, it has it's limits. It won't flex much before it snaps, but it's pretty strong if you lift it so there are no really big unsupported spans.

Hank

[Gaze]

I'll look into replacing the face frames and doors. Gonna talk to a cabinet co. about pricing and feasibility.

I wonder how possible this would be: You know how the granite is glue-attached (I think) to a sheet of 3/4" or 1" plywd that is screwed or maybe nailed to the cabinet tops. If I were to lift and pry and shim this plywd up carefully, then suspend the granite/plywd somehow, the cabinets should be removable. At the backsplash, I would need to repair the drywall, but it only amounts to about 18ft x 6" high. Cracking the slabs are my biggest concern...which would certainly lead to this face :eek:

[Snidley]

Chances are that the backsplashes are just held in place by silicone sealer. Now that would seem to make them easier to take off, but after being in place for years they will be like an adheasive and won't give that much. You would probably have to stick a thin blade in behind to cut the bond, seperate carefully and then fully clean before re-installation. The same procedure for the counters and at the seam joints. Sink may have to be seperated from counter before lifting and the opening supported so they don't crack.

Always lift carefully as you will always be in an awkward position, support the piece (less stress the better- have helpers) and don't forget - stone is heavy

[sail2u]

My $0.02

I just watched my kitchen granite tops being installed-- the 3/4" plywood base was screwed to the cabinet base frames and then polyester adhesive was used. Various shims were used to maintain level. The backsplashes were just set in place with polyester adhesive.

They used some suction cup devices to level adjoining joints, and custom colored (mixed on the site) polyester adhesive for these joints.

The sink was placed onto its cutout on the plywood, with the granite on top of that.

My best guess would be to lift the granite off the plywood an place it aside, so the plywood can be unscrewed and taken off.

But I would have a professional reinstall the granite.