Mitre joint lifting.

[Yanni]

Almost in all of my rentals the worktop joints lift after 5-6 years. Is that down to poor installation or they just do.

Now for future reference when we need a new worktop would you recommend the bar joint instead of the mitre joint.
I don’t mind the cosmetics or visual. I just want a reliable joint. I also don’t mind spray paint the joint every few years as long as the joint stays solid.

What would you recommend ?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Half the time it's probably tenants not mopping up after spills etc, my missus is terrible for this (we don't rent btw).

 

[foxhole]

The damage caused the lifting as it lets in moisture , correctly fitted and not abused joints last many years .Metal joints are more likely to fail due to moisture ingress.

 

[conny]

The cut edges need to be properly sealed before clamping up. It also helps if the joint can be sited along the top edge of the underneath carcass to prevent one side being pushed down if someone leans/sits on the worktop. If moisture has got in though, it will probably not go back level without shaving some material away underneath until it lays flat again.
In work in the canteen area we have a very long worktop/shelf that students sit at to study while they have their break/lunch. Within 6 months of opening we had the joiners back 3 times to re-align one of the joints because students were leaning on it at that point. The next time it 'slipped' I told my boss I would have a look at it. I simply moved one of the support brackets about 12" to the left so it was under the join. It hasn't moved in 2 years. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the right ones.

 

[Yanni]

Ok I see usually I add extra support with brackets underneath but these are houses I buy that someone else has done the work!

With the metal bars I usually silicone underneath the bar before fitting it so there is no way water will find its way in. I’m installing a new Wren kitchen at the moment so tempted to do the mitre joint with proper sealing to find out if that will last.

 

[conny]

If you do it correctly it should be many years before you realise it has worked.
But worth the wait.