Ceramic Kitchen Sink Repair

Ceramic is one of the most popular materials for use in kitchens and bathrooms, as it is extremely tough, and a ceramic kitchen sink is also very attractive. Unfortunately, even this tough fabric can sometimes be damaged, either by accidents where it has been struck by something heavy, by constant wear and tear, or simply through cracking along the sides. These problems seem like a disaster, as ceramic is not as easy to fix for an amateur as a stainless steel sink might be, but if you have some basic home improvement knowledge, and follow a few simple rules, then repairing your ceramic kitchen sink can be easily done.

Step 1 - Preparing the Sink

In order to make sure that any repairs you do have the best chance of sticking, use a drill to enlarge the crack and grind down the edges. This serves two purposes, firstly, it smooths down the sides, removing any sharp edges (because ceramic can give you a nasty nick if there is an edge), and secondly it makes the inside of the crack slightly rougher, so the fixing putty has something to bond with.

Step 2  -Buying a Putty

Since many people have ceramic kitchen sink or bathroom sink accessories, there is a market for brands such as Milliput - a type of ceramic putty which is white, and has a smooth finish. These types of ceramic putty can set under water, and form a water-proof bond when they are dry. They form a seal as hard as the ceramic itself, so it should be as hard wearing as the sink.

Step 3 - Apply the Putty

You should mix the ceramic putty following the instructions on the side of the packet. Once this is ready, fill the crack in your ceramic kitchen sink using a putty knife, or trowel if a knife is not available. Fill your crack as full as possible, pushing the putty into the very corners of the crack, and smoothing off the top as much as you can, leaving only a small amount above the surface.

Step 4 - Finishing the Job

Leave the putty until it is almost dry, and then use a little bit of water along with a sponge or clean cloth, and smooth out the surface until it is completely level with the edge of the ceramic kitchen sink. You will now have to leave the sink to dry on its own for at least another 12 hours, perhaps more. Once the surface is totally dry, you can use your cloth to polish over the finish, and rub the edges into the ceramic side, so that it is barely noticeable. The putty will not look the same as an older ceramic, but it is better than a crack, and once it is dry you can use the sink again as often as you would like.