Last Updated on June 2, 2022 by
It’s time to rebuild the kitchen, but how can you get rid of the old countertops? Are they glued down? We’ve done the research and produced a step-by-step tutorial to save you time.
Caulk or silicone is often used to glue countertops to cabinets and walls. They are additionally held in place from underneath by screws or other fasteners in other circumstances.
How to Get Rid of Kitchen Countertops
Equipment And Materials Needed
- Boxcutter knife
- Putty Knife
- Wrench
- Safety Glasses
- Work gloves
- Pry bar
- Screwdriver
- Caulk softener
- Container to catch water
Essential Things To Know Before Starting This Project
If you are remodeling your kitchen or upgrading your countertop, it is critical to remove it in one piece and begin from the beginning. Attempting to salvage the countertop will result in more damage to your cabinets. Countertops are not worth the time or effort it takes to preserve them. When the countertop is removed correctly, you should have no trouble installing tile, stone, or laminate.
Step 1: Get Your Workspace Ready
Clear as much space as possible to give yourself plenty of room to work in, and don’t forget to clear your bottom cupboards. Place a tarp or plastic sheet down to cover the floor and anything else you don’t want to be damaged or scuffed. Gather your tools, and don’t forget your gloves and protective glasses.
Step 2: Disconnect Plumbing, Electric, And Gas
The water valve leading to the kitchen sink must be turned off. Turn off the area’s fuse or breaker, and cover any surrounding outlets as a precaution. Also, if you have a gas stove, make sure the emergency shutoff valve for your gas line is turned off. When working with tools like these, be cautious and double-check that they are turned off before starting any work.
Step 3: Disconnect the pipes and fixtures
Remove the sink and any faucets and pipes that pass through the countertop. Prepare a big container or bucket to capture any residual water seeping from the pipes. Scrape out any extra caulk with your putty knife or boxcutter before cutting around the sink to remove it. If the sink is still resistant, you can use caulk softener, but it can usually be gently pried up and removed at this point.
Step 4: Loosen The Adhesive
Start by gently removing any extra caulk around the countertop where it meets the cabinets with your putty knife or boxcutter. After removing the excess caulk and letting it set for one hour, apply the caulk softener. Cut the caulk between the countertop and the wall or tile with your putty knife, then gently twist the knife to remove the seal. Gently pry at the countertop’s edges with the pry bar until you feel the glue give way.
Step 5: Get Rid of Your Old Countertops
Look below your counters for any screws, brackets, or other fasteners holding them in place, and make sure to remove any you discover. You should be able to take the countertop off and remove it fully after removing the bolts. If the countertops are huge or heavy, make sure you have an additional pair of hands.
How To Remove Granite Countertop Slabs
Turn Off The Water Faucets
To minimize water spills during the operation, turn off the water valve under the sink faucet. Turning both the cold and hot water valves clockwise until the water stops flowing. Finally, using pliers or a wrench, move the nut counterclockwise to release the water lines above the valves.
Disconnect The Faucets
First, follow the disconnected water pipes to the bottom of your sink. Then, using pliers, spin the hold-down nuts counterclockwise to separate them. Remove the faucets by pushing them upwards from the rim.
Take Out The Sink
Inside the cabinet, around the tub’s base, look for the hold-down brackets. Remove the nuts from each frame by unscrewing them. Finally, break the caulk attaching the sink to the granite countertop using a knife or a flat chisel, and take the sink out. This is especially true for under-mount sinks.
Break through the adhesive coating securing the sink to the countertop with a chisel or a putty knife for drop-in fixture sinks. To prevent harm, it’s best to have someone help you with this step.
Remove Plywood
Between the cabinets and the granite on the bottom side of your kitchen granite countertop is a layer of plywood. To remove it, undo the screws that attach the plywood sheet to the cabinet from within the cabinet. Use a screw tip and a drill.
Check for a second set of screws going up into the plywood from the cabinet’s top. If there are none, remove the plywood by breaking the glue that holds it to the granite countertop.
Remove The Backsplash
It’s now time to remove the backsplash that connects to the countertop using a hammer and a leveling bar. Starting at the uppermost edge of the backsplash, gently pound your pry bar with the hammer to gradually remove the backsplash. Carry on until all of the backsplash linked to the countertop has been removed.
Removing The Countertop
After completing all of the prep work, it’s time to tackle the major task: removing the granite countertop. These instructions will guide you through removing the countertop with ease.
The initial step will locate the granite countertop connecting point to the cabinets. To find the joint, look inside the cabinet’s top. After that, gently strike the joint with your hammer to install the pry bar. Turn carefully to separate the two by breaking the glue or adhesive connecting them.
Placing a wooden shim between the granite countertop and the cabinet’s edge will assist in keeping the granite countertop in place. Continue screwing and shimming from the front side of the cabinet until the whole front frame can be progressively lifted.
Continue within the cabinets, raising the granite slab with your pry bar and a hammer until you reach the far end. Insert wooden shims at each stage to keep the space between the cabinet and the granite slab from widening. Carry on in this manner until the whole slab has been elevated. To prevent shattering the granite countertop, be gentle.
Several persons will be needed to raise the countertop from the top of the cabinets. Allow one person for every 3-4 feet of countertop, depending on the size of the slab. At the same time, slightly tilt the countertop from the rear edge, allowing it to fall into your hands. You may now gently move the granite countertop to the location where you wish it to be kept.
If you want to utilize the granite slab elsewhere, ensure it is properly stored to prevent damage. One method to do this is to store it the top down. You can remove granite countertop slabs without causing any harm by following these easy instructions. However, we always recommend that clients seek the advice of a professional.
What Is The Best Way To Remove Countertop Trim?
Depending on the sort of trim you’re dealing with, and how it was installed, the procedure for removing it from your countertops may vary. You may be able to carefully peel the trim off if it is attached with brads or finishing nails, whether it is wood or metal trim.
If the trim is bonded in place, it will be more difficult to remove without damaging the trim, the counter, or the cabinets; nonetheless, prying with a putty knife or a pry bar is still the preferred removal technique.
Is It Possible To Replace Countertops Without Causing Damage To The Cabinets?
Yes, as long as you use extreme caution, you may remove your countertops without causing harm to your cabinets. Before you start prying on the countertop, make sure you’ve removed all of the fasteners. When using your tools, be gentle. If you can remove the countertop without causing any harm, you may always sell it to offset your renovation expenditures.
What Is The Most Economical Method Of Replacing Countertops?
You may save money by doing the job yourself, and if you want to go even farther, you can try your hand at making your countertop. There are numerous fantastic do-it-yourself countertop options, some of which are both simple and attractive. If you’re not into DIY projects, see what’s available on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in your area. Laminate is the least expensive pre-fabricated countertop material, costing as low as $5 per linear foot.
Should I Empty Cabinets Before Installing Countertops?
Yes, before removing old countertops or installing new ones, you should empty your cabinets. Leaving your possessions in the cabinet increases the likelihood of harm. Because you’ll need to reach below the countertop to check for fasteners, emptying your cabinets will give you more area to work.
Can You Remove Kitchen Cabinets Without Removing Countertop?
This is dependent on how your countertop was put in the first place. In most circumstances, removing your cabinets without first removing the countertop is impossible. If you follow these instructions and remove the countertop with care, you may be able to reuse it with your new cabinets. When prying up the countertop, be cautious not shattering or damaging it. To avoid replacing the countertop, you might try refacing your existing cabinets.
Conclusion on Can You Put A Ceramic Bowl In The Oven?
Removing your countertops may seem difficult, but your redesign should be a breeze if you follow these guidelines. Remember to enjoy yourself while working on this job; renovating is usually a thrilling experience.
