large vein in counter top

[todd]

Mark I have a problem with a kitchen I just innstalled there is a large crack in the stone that looks like it was filled with clear glue before it even got to us. It looks like a very large vein and you can feel it. Any way I was wondering if there is anything I can do about it?

[Stone Dude]

most likely its a fissure that was filled with resin at the factory. if thats the case, i wouldt worry about it.

[Mark D.]

Todd,
tell me about the granite on both sides of the crack - is all the granite top on the same plane or did one piece shift so it is now on two separate planes at two different angles?

If it is all on the same plane and you can feel it then the crack was not filled flush to the top and that can be fixed by you. If they are on separate planes then you need to go back to the contractor and talk about it. He might say it cracked after installation, but if there is fill in it then that is unlikely. Even if it was put in by a contractor and it cracked after installation that could have been caused by a poor installation.

So which is it? 'A' or 'B'?

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[todd]

The plane is different on each side of yhe crack, the problem is the homeowner is very unhappy about the crack and thinks that it should be replaced, but we will never be able to match the rest of the granite because there is no more of that particular stone. I would like to give her other options besides replacement.

[Mark D.]

If you can get them off without destroying the tops you can epoxy them together so they are both on one plane and then reset the counter where it belongs. What is the name of the stone?

Mark

[todd]

The stone is called "yellow river" i dont think i can get it off without it breaking it is 47 x 97 with an undermount sink in it.

[Mark D.]

You should replace this slab...sorry for the bad news.

Mark

[Florida Mike]

I fabricate and install natural stone. I have had this and similar problems before. Now, instead of replacing slabs and pieces, I take a careful inventory of every slab when I get it from the distributer. I always have the customer OK the slab they want and make sure to point out the defects no matter how small. If there is something very wrong I wont accept the slab. Then I make sure that the customer knows where the defect will be in relation to their pieces. I also advise them of problems that can occur with these defects. Since then I have had to replace zero slabs or pieces due to manufacturer defect because it is the customers choice. Good luck.
PS. Sorry if it sounds like I am talking down. It is better to explain things fully online  .

[Stone Dude]

if you recieved a slab from a supplier that had a poorly repaired crack bad enough to be felt, i would not buy from them again. regardless, its too late to prove whos responsible, unfortunately this makes the installer responsible. a crack like youre describing on a newly installed piece requires replacement, although the client has to understand that an exact match may be impossible at this time due to the way it is quarried. unless they paid extra money to have all of their pieces bookmatched, this is something they will have to live with. doesnt sound like a good situation for anyone.