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[D490]Do It Yourself Kitchen Countertops

by Chris Campbell, Chr

Laminate kitchen countertops should last a lifetime, if you know a few tricks for maintaining and repairing them. Laminate comes in an seemingly infinite number of styles and patterns these days. It also requires practically no maintenance to keep it looking good. But like all indestructible things these days, there comes a time when the inevitable happens, and things need a little TLC.

Wax On Wax Off

One of the great things about having such a variety of patterns that laminates comes in these days is how well they hide the dirt. Assuming you want the dirt hidden. Every once in a while, giving your countertops a little extra cleaning with a soap and a brush will remove a surprising amount of hidden dirt. This is a good exercise for both your countertops and the people who use them. Now here's something you probably never thought of doing for your countertops now that they're squeaky clean. Try a little car wax. Yep you heard me. Car wax. The same way your car enjoys the protection of a little wax coating, so will your countertops. Not to mention a nice shiny finish. If your a little unsure of the benefits, try waxing a small section that is the least visible of all your countertops. That way you can see if you like the look after all that effort.

Bubble Bubble Boil and Iron

Every notice little bumps forming in your laminate countertops. If your like me, you probably figured the only way to fix something like that was to replace the whole countertop. Well, there is a way to fix those bumps, and it's much cheaper then replacing the entire thing. Simply place a damp towel or cloth over the offending bumps. Next heat up a clothes iron, and place it on the cloth for ten seconds or so. This kind of softens up the glue under the laminate that is causing the bump. Next you need to place something heavy on the laminate section for at least twelve hours. You could try getting one of your kids to sit on it. A medium sized eight or nine year old should do the trick. Of course if you don't have one of those available, then a few really heavy books should do the trick.

Just A Flesh Wound

So someone (usually named I-don't-know) in my house has just taken a chip out of your beautiful laminate in the most visible spot of the entire countertop. Apart from the obvious aesthetic damage, this chip now has the potential to allow water in to damage the supporting wood base underneath. Forunately most home centers carry a chip filler that comes with an assortment of colors that should match your countertop. While not totally naked to the eye, it should be less noticeable, and will definitely prevent water from doing any damage.

Kitchen Counter Materials: The Pros and Cons

Laminate kitchen counters, layers of decorative paper beneath a protective seal, are affordable and versatile, with many patterns and styles available. However, scratches and nicks show on laminate counters, and they cannot withstand heat; the bottom of a hot pot can cause a laminate counter to scorch or melt. Laminate or Formica counter tops are typically the least expensive option when comparing costs.

Ceramic tile counters are more resilient that laminate counters, but as with any tiled surface, the grout requires cleaning – a task made easier by today's cleaning agents and grouts, many of which are treated with mildewcides.

Wood counters are traditional and handsome, either finished or left unfinished, but, like laminate, wood can burn and scorch; unlike laminate, wood is porous: it is important to clean a wood counter with an antibacterial agent, and you shouldn't cut meat on it.

Marble and granite counters are luxurious and costly and last a lifetime. Marble is a porous stone, which requires sealing, and granite can be stained by grease.

Solid surface kitchen counters, a blend of resins and mineral fillers, offer the versatility of laminate and the resilience of natural stone: the surface is smooth and nonporous, and burns and stains can be repaired and buffed away.

Kitchen Counters: Seek Professional Assistance
Kitchen counters should be installed by a professional, as a successful installation requires precision, careful measuring, and a steady hand. Remember, counters are one of the most prominent features in your kitchen, and any installation mistake will be highly visible.

Many homeowners, in an effort to save money on their kitchen remodeling, will take it upon themselves to complete some of the major tasks of the big job themselves. It's true: many jobs are within the abilities of your normal, reasonably skilled homeowner: tile backsplashes, wall treatments, and cabinet refacings. Even installing a new floor, depending on the material, is a doable project for a motivated do it yourselfer – a lengthy kitchen remodeling project, but a doable one.

However, installing your new kitchen appliances, your new refrigerator, dishwasher, or stove, is not one of these jobs.

The addition of a new appliance may necessitate rewiring your kitchen's electricity – a job for an expert. And that new dishwasher? Installation requires you to get beneath your sink, to run new water lines and electrical lines to the new dishwasher. The same is true for that new-fangled refrigerator you bought, the one with the built-water and the fancy icemaker. You don't have a water line to connect it to? You will have to lay a new one yourself.

And if you've bought a new gas range to replace that old electric one and are thinking of installing it? Think again. If you don't have a natural gas setup already, you may have to run gas piping through your house. If you don't have natural gas on your street, you may have to keep propane on site, which requires more piping and requires you to comply with local fire codes. To say nothing of connecting the gas pipes to the back of the stove. All these things require precision. You're dealing with gas, remember: an installation mistake could have terrible consequences

So save yourself the headache. Leave these kitchen remodeling jobs to the pros.

Article Source : Pg. 35

About Author

Both Chris Campbell & Mark Rutelli are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Chris Campbell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Birthday Gifts, Iphone Reviews and Acid Reflux. Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets , v. Chris Campbell's top article generates over 201000 views. Bookmark Chris Campbell to your Favourites.

Mark Rutelli has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodeling Ideas. Mark Rutelli works with kitchen contractors and has created over 1,000. Mark Rutelli's top article generates over 480 views. Bookmark Mark Rutelli to your Favourites.