7 Steps That Make the Installation Process Smooth and Easy For You
Installing kitchen countertops is an exciting home improvement that updates your kitchen’s style and functionality. To guarantee a smooth installation, a little preparation on your part goes a long way. Proper planning minimizes disruptions and helps the installation team work efficiently.
Our Baltimore-area countertop experts have put together a few tips on preparing your home for the arrival of your beautiful new kitchen surfaces. We’ll cover everything, like dealing with existing kitchen fixtures and prepping a newly remodeled space.
1. Clear the Way Before Installing Kitchen Countertops
Whether you are replacing old counters or installing them in a brand-new kitchen, the first step is all about creating space. If you have an existing kitchen, begin by clearing your old countertops. Remove everything – appliances, dishes, decorations, and anything else resting on them. Find temporary homes for these items elsewhere in your house.
You should also empty your lower drawers and cabinets. Installers will need access to the underside of your new kitchen countertops. This step also protects your dishes and utensils from dust and debris.
If you’re working with a newly remodeled kitchen, confirm that your lower cabinets are fully assembled, installed, and level. This provides a stable, ready base for your kitchen countertop installation.
2. Plumbing Preparations
Plumbing is a part of kitchen countertop installation. You may need a professional plumber’s help with this step if you don’t feel confident in your DIY skills.
For existing kitchens, the most significant task is disconnecting your kitchen sink plumbing. Turn off the water supply valve and carefully disconnect the drain pipes and water supply lines.
In a newly remodeled kitchen, you won’t have to disconnect anything. But you’ll want to have your new faucet, dish soap dispenser, glass rinser, or other countertop-mounted fixtures ready so your installation team can make precise cuts for installation.
3. Clear the Path
You will want to create a pathway, as the installation team will need to carry heavy materials through your house. You may need to rearrange furniture and other obstacles, like rugs and toys, so the team has a clear path from your door to your kitchen. This will reduce trip hazards and make your kitchen countertop installation more efficient.
Consider laying down floor protection, sometimes called by the brand name Ram Board, especially if your new flooring is already installed.
4. Secure Pets and Inform Family Members
The safety of your family, including pets, and the installation team is paramount. Pets can get underfoot or become stressed by the activity. Keep them safely confined in a separate room, in a kennel, or even at a friend’s house during the installation.
An adult familiar with the project should be present throughout the kitchen countertop installation process. You may need to be able to let the installers inside, answer questions, make on-the-spot decisions, and help ensure that everything goes according to plan.
5. Understand the Kitchen Countertop Process and Timeline
Knowing what to expect can alleviate stress and facilitate a smoother experience. Don’t hesitate to ask your countertop provider, like Elegant Kitchen and Design, about the installation process, timeline, and any specific concerns you have.
Installing kitchen countertops can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the size of your kitchen and the material you’ve chosen.
Adjusting countertops can be noisy. If you’re sensitive to noise, consider wearing earplugs or staying in a different part of the house during the loudest parts of the process.
6. Prepare for Post-Installation
There are a few things to do after your new kitchen countertops are installed, too. After your kitchen countertops are installed, it will take up to 24 hours for adhesives and sealants to cure. Your installation cost could rise if damage occurs by reattaching plumbing before countertops are ready, so be sure to wait. Even after the stated wait time, avoid putting excessive weight on seams or unsupported overhangs for at least a few days.
7. Let Elegant Kitchen and Design Install Your Kitchen Countertops for You
Homeowners can often perform the prep work, and learning how to install kitchen countertops doesn’t hurt, but we advise professional installation. Choosing to do-it-yourself is risky, especially because stone countertops are heavy and require special handling.
At Baltimore’s Elegant Kitchen and Design, we don’t just sell exquisite granite, quartz, and quartzite surfaces. We offer services to streamline your entire kitchen remodeling process. We ensure a perfect fit by taking free precise measurements of your space. We safely transport your countertops to your home with complimentary delivery. Our skilled team installs your countertops with care and precision, so you can enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting result.
Transform your kitchen with our countertops. Contact us or visit our showroom to choose your countertops and set an installation date.
