How To Remove Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are a popular choice among homeowners looking to update their kitchen or bathrooms. Their clean, modern aesthetic and ease of care make them particularly appealing to renters, condominium owners, and anyone else who might not be able to tolerate standard tile or wood counters again. This type of countertop material comes in many different types and colors. It’s also fairly easy to install as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and take your time with each step.
However, once you’ve installed solid surface countertops there will come a time when you need to remove them before selling your home or remodeling further. Whether it’s because they clash with the new cabinets you just installed or because you want to install something different in the future, removing them is a task that most people find more difficult than installing them. Here’s everything you need to know about removing solid surface countertops so that you can do it as quickly and painlessly as possible.
How To Remove Solid Surface Countertops
What You’ll Need
Depending on how badly your solid surface counters were installed, you may be able to simply peel them off. If you can do that, you’re in luck as that’ll be much easier than removing them by cutting them out.
To do this, you’ll need a razor knife, a mallet, a chisel, a hammer, a chisel, and a bucket or plastic bag to put your scraps in. You may also need a utility knife, a hammer, and a saw. You’ll need a utility knife to cut the adhesive holding the old countertop in place and a hammer to pry off any pieces that are stuck on too tightly. A hammer and saw may also help you cut off stubborn pieces.
Mark and Cut the Countertops
Before you can remove the old, solid surface countertops, you’ll first have to find the seam where they were installed. Mark the seam with a pencil or marker, then use the chisel or razor knife to remove the countertop along the marked line. You can then vertically cut the countertop apart along the same seam using the razor knife. If you find that the seam is too difficult to see, or if there is no seam where you thought there was one, you can cut the countertops using the edge of your new countertop as a guide. You can use a laser level to ensure that your cuts are straight.
Remove the Solid Surface Counters
Once you have the countertops cut apart, the next step is to remove them from your home. You can do this by first cutting the countertop away from the cabinets and wall. Be careful not to cut into the cabinets themselves. If the cabinets are made of a soft wood like pine or MDF, you can often pry them off with the chisel or hammer. Harder cabinets like oak may need to be cut with the saw. Once the cabinets are loose, you can simply lift them off and place them on the ground. Now you can pull the solid surface off the wall and remove it from the rest of the floor.
Clean Up
Once you’ve removed the old solid surface, you’ll need to clean up all of the mess that was made removing it. First, gather all of the scraps and place them in a plastic bag or bucket so that you can dispose of them properly. Be sure to wear protective gloves while cleaning up the mess. Next, you’ll want to clean the wall where you removed the old countertops. You can use a steam cleaner to do this or simply spray the wall down with some warm, soapy water and scrub it clean with a sponge. Finally, you’ll want to clean the cabinets where you removed the old countertops. After sweeping up any sawdust and other debris, you can use a steam cleaner again or just some warm, soapy water and a sponge. Once the cabinets are clean, you can start installing your new countertops.
Conclusion
Solid surface countertops are a great choice for many homeowners. However, once you’ve installed them, there will come a time when you need to remove them. You can do this by marking and cutting the countertops, removing them from the cabinets, and cleaning up the mess that is made during removal.
