Quck answer
To remove granite countertops, follow these steps:
1. Clear the countertop of any items and cover the surrounding area with drop cloths or protective sheets.
2. Disconnect any appliances or plumbing fixtures attached to the countertop.
3. Use a pry bar or putty knife to carefully loosen the adhesive or caulk holding the countertop in place.
4. Slowly lift the countertop from one side, using caution to prevent any damage.
5. If necessary, enlist the help of a friend to support the countertop while you remove it completely.
6. Clean the area and prepare for the installation of a new countertop, if desired.
When it comes to removing granite countertops, contractors usually prefer to break them into pieces for disposal. However, with some careful planning, it is possible to remove them intact. Granite is a heavy and brittle material, so it is important to exercise caution when removing it to prevent breakage. Before starting the demolition, prepare a sturdy surface to rest the removed countertops. It is also essential to enlist the help of strong individuals to ensure a safe removal. While the process is straightforward, it requires patience to achieve success.
Removing Fixtures and Sinks
Step 1
To begin, turn off the water supply at the emergency cutoff valve, which is usually located underneath the faucet inside the sink cabinet. Turn both the hot and cold valves clockwise by hand until they stop. Using a wrench or pliers, turn the nut on the water line above the valves counterclockwise to disconnect the water lines.
Step 2
Follow the disconnected water lines up to the sink’s base. Use pliers to turn the large hold-down nuts counterclockwise to remove them. Pull the faucets up from the top to detach them. Set the plumbing fixtures aside.
Step 3
Locate the hold-down brackets at the bottom of the sink inside the cabinet. Turn the nut on the bottom of each bracket counterclockwise to remove it. For sinks that sit on top of the granite, run a putty knife beneath the edge of the sink to break the glue and caulk. For inset sinks, run a putty knife between the bottom of the granite and the top of the sink to break the seal. Lightly tap the bottom of the sink with a rubber mallet to loosen it and lift it out for removal.
Step 4
Inspect the underside of the granite and take note of where the cabinets make contact with the stone if it is visible. Look for a layer of plywood or other wooden platform beneath the granite and note where it makes contact with the cabinets.
Step 5
To remove the plywood layer beneath the granite countertop, use a drill and screw tip to remove the screws from inside the cabinets. Look for screws that run up through the cabinet top support into the bottom of the plywood. If you cannot locate them, you will need to break the glue seal between the plywood and the granite before removing the plywood.
Step 6
Using a hammer and a small, flat pry bar, tap the end of the pry bar behind the edge of the backsplash in the top corner every few inches. Carefully pry the backsplash out from the wall starting from one corner and working across its length until the backsplash pulls away from the wall easily. Repeat this process for all the backsplashes lining the countertop you plan to remove.
Removing a Granite Countertop
Step 1
Firstly, locate the joint between the cabinet’s front brace and the bottom of the countertop. This can be found at the corner of the countertop. Use a hammer to tap the pry bar into the joint and gently pry it up to loosen any glue. If there is plywood beneath the granite, remove the granite from the plywood or remove them together if the screws holding the wood platform in place can be removed. Insert a wooden shim into the open joint to hold the countertop in place. Work along the front edge, prying and shimming, until the entire front edge is slightly lifted.
Step 2
Proceed to move inside the cabinets. Starting from the front and moving back, use the pry bar to lift the granite or plywood and granite from the top of the cabinet supports. Add shims as necessary and take care to work slowly to avoid cracking. Work along the countertop’s length, only prying up a few inches at a time. Continue working in sections, from end to end, until the entire countertop is lifted.
Step 3
Have at least one person stationed every 3 to 4 feet along the front edge of the countertop. Work collaboratively to slowly tilt the countertop up from the back edge, so that it tips into the hands of the waiting workers. Lift gently and move the granite to your storage place.
Step 4
Place the granite with the top face down for protection. If there is plywood underneath that requires replacement, carefully pry it away from the granite. Slowly separate the glue and remove the plywood. Use a heavy-duty scraper to remove any additional plywood or glue from the bottom of the granite.