(MCT)—Q: I had granite countertops installed in the kitchen about five years ago by Riya Imports L.L.C. in Monroe Township, N.J.
There is a hairline crack about 22 inches long in front of the sink. I tried reaching the installer, but it apparently is out of business.
No help was available at either Home Depot or Lowe’s, or at other granite suppliers.
Is there anything you can suggest other than replacing it, which is too expensive?
A: I tried calling Riya, and the number was no longer in service.
It seems a shame that there is a crack in such an expensive material just five years after your countertops were installed.
This, of course, leads the Nick Charles of home improvement to want to determine the cause of the crack. (Nora is visiting her aunt; she’ll be back next week.)
Some cracks in granite are natural and are the result of fissures that occurred in the formation of the stone.
Polishing the granite hides these cracks for awhile, but they can reappear.
The proximity of the crack to the sink should indicate a possible suspect, but I have to turn to the granite countertop experts among my readers for advice.
It is regrettable that your installer has gone out of business, but that is the nature of the materials supply industry in a real estate downturn.
There should be someone out there who can repair granite or make a determination of the seriousness of the crack, instead of trying to sell you more of it.
Let’s see what the experts say.
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