How to Remove a Granite Kitchen Countertop

Aside from being more durable, a granite kitchen countertop can easily change the way your kitchen looks as well. This is one of the main reasons why granite is a popular choice when installing a kitchen countertop.

Installing kitchen countertops made from granite can be quite a delicate project. However, there are some things you can do and avoid that will help you create a flawless, professional-looking countertop.

Step 1 – Check the Granite Piece

Before you start hammering on your granite kitchen countertop, it is important that you first check the granite countertop. Granite countertops are often installed differently so knowing how the granite was installed or glued is an important factor. By knowing this, you will know exactly the best way to remove it.

Step 2 - Remove all the Cabinetry

You can now prepare to remove the granite countertop. First, remove all the drawers in your base kitchen cabinets. This is to ensure that the cabinetry will not be damaged once you start removing the granite.

Step 3 – Remove the Sink

Once you have removed all the drawers in the base kitchen cabinet, you can now remove the sink. First, make sure that the main water valve is turned off to avoid any water from spewing. Remove the plumbing on the faucet and sink. On the underside of the sink there are fasteners that you need to remove. Lift the sink off the countertop and place it somewhere away from your working area.

Step 4 – Protecting the Countertop

Granite can be a delicate material so it is important that you protect it properly while trying to remove it. A simple cloth over the granite kitchen countertop will do in protecting the granite from any chips or cement that may fall off once you start removing the piece. Make sure that the cloth is big enough to cover the entire countertop.

Step 5 – Removing the Backsplash

Prior to actually removing the granite, you need to remove the backsplash first. A backsplash is the wall or vertical covering that is found above the countertop. By removing the backsplash, you can remove the granite countertop easily.

Find the seam between the backsplash and the wall. Place your crowbar in the seam and carefully, hit the crowbar using a hammer. Do not hit the end of the crowbar too hard otherwise this will crack the backsplash or break it into small pieces. With the crowbar, try to slowly loosen the backsplash from the wall.

Step 6 – Clean the Countertop

Clean any chips or cement that may have fallen off from the cloth you placed on top of the countertop. Check to see that the granite countertop is not damaged.

Step 7 – Protect the Floor

Place the cloth you used to protect the countertop on the floor near the countertop. This will lead to easy clean-up once you are done removing the granite.

Step 8 - Removing the Countertop

Place your crowbar between the seams of the cabinet and the granite. With the crowbar, gently lift the granite from the countertop. Carefully loosen the piece from the countertop. Once you see that the piece is loosened lift the granite countertop. If the countertop is too big, make sure that you ask for assistance.