Is a kitchen worktop joint waterproof?

[Hallupa]

Hi,

I've recently had a new kitchen installed but found after two months the new laminate worktops have started to bubble around a joint, which I guess is down to moisture getting into the joint.
The fitter has said worktop joints aren't completely waterproof and I must have left standing water which would have got in the joint. Because of this he won't do anything about it.

Is that correct that a worktop joint not expected to be completely waterproof? If there is standing water for short periods over the joint, will it bubble in just a few months? Or could the fitter just not have sealed it properly?

Thanks,
Hallupa

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo and welcome Hallupa

where is the joint ??
they should not be in areas where water is likely to gather
it should not go after a few months normal use

 

[Hallupa]

Hi

The joint is near to the sink, maybe 30cm away.

The joint probably does get splashed quite a lot but water doesn't remain for any length of time

 

[Belboz]

Why is there a joint so close to the sink??

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The joint shouldn't go so quick, often the joint has to be close to the sink. Difficult one though ......

 

[Deleted member 174758]

The joints should be sealed, either with a coloured worktop sealant or silicone sealant when they are made - this is to make them impervious to water ingress. hilst I always caution clients about the problems which can be caused by leaving sanding water on a joint, 30cm (12in) is hardly near to the sink, so my own conclusion is that the joint just wasn't adequately sealed in the first case.

 

[Belboz]

often the joint has to be close to the sink.

How come freddy?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

often the joint has to be close to the sink.

How come?

There seem to be a lot of 1970s and 1980s houses in this area where there is a short wall with a window at the end of the kitchen big enough to take a sink and drainer and little more. With those you invariably have a joint right next to the sink or drainer (although for those I use a D4 adhesive, even if it does mean a bit of a wait)

 

[Hallupa]

The joints should be sealed, either with a coloured worktop sealant or silicone sealant when they are made - this is to make them impervious to water ingress. hilst I always caution clients about the problems which can be caused by leaving sanding water on a joint, 30cm (12in) is hardly near to the sink, so my own conclusion is that the joint just wasn't adequately sealed in the first case.

Thinking about it the joint probably starts around 2in away from the sink then goes diagonally away ending around 24in away from the sink. Is that too close to the sink?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

often the joint has to be close to the sink.

How come freddy?

If there was little choice in locating the sink next to a right angle in the worktop then its gonna be close isn't it.

 

[Belboz]

Thanks chaps - wasn't thinking of a right angle but it all makes sense now!!

 

[Deleted member 174758]

If (when) i get them I glue the joint with waterproof glue and leave it overnight. No other way to do it IMHO

 

[foxhole]

Not normally cut on the diagonal?
My daughters sink has joints either side of sink only 70mm away due to kitchen layout, did it 4 years ago no sign of any lifting or water damage.

Was the method of fixing as in this link?
//www.diynot.com/diy/threads/how-to-joint-worktop.429711/

 

[Hallupa]

The fitter said he used the joining compound that Howdens provided with the worktops plus silicone but no PVA.

He said he could fix it by replacing the worktop but I would have to pay for a new worktop and pay him for a days work
He also said if he replaced the worktop he would use PVA to try to stop it doesn't happening again, but couldn't guaranty it

 

[big-all]

The fitter said he used the joining compound that Howdens provided with the worktops plus silicone but no PVA.

He said he could fix it by replacing the worktop but I would have to pay for a new worktop and pay him for a days work
He also said if he replaced the worktop he would use PVA to try to stop it doesn't happening again, but couldn't guaranty it

thats wrong so soon after fitting
at six months you can argue joint fault so you buy the top and he fits free
at 2 months blaming you is just wrong if as you claim the area never gets wet to any extent
have you got pictures