How to remove granite countertop that's been screwed in?

[dogluver]

Long story short, we want to remove the granite countertop in our kitchen. We don't care if the granite is destroyed, but we don't want to damage the cabinets.

We managed to remove the part of the granite around the sink hole, which allowed us to discover the following:

- Granite is heavily glued to plywood underneath. I don't know what kind of glue was used (epoxy, etc) but there were massive amounts of it under the section we were able to remove.

- The plywood was screwed down into the cabinets, which means we can't just crowbar it off or unscrew the screws from underneath.

So now we're stuck because we're finding it impossible to get most of the granite off. I don't know much about home improvement but I've scoured the web trying to find a solution and it seems nobody has really posted anything in-depth about our particular scenario other than to say it's a b*tch.

We've also tried to contact professionals to remove it. Virtually everyone we've called (contractors, handymen, granite stores) says they won't do it for one reason or another.

Is our only alternative to just hammer the bejeezus out of the granite to break it apart, thereby risking damage to our cabinets? I'm close to tearing my hair over this. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[paperfist]

So they screwed the plywood down from the top and then glued the granite down on top of that? Wow!

I doubt you could get all the areas with it, but with a reciprocating saw and a metal blade you could free the edge areas of the screws with minimal damage by cutting them.

You could also use a oscillating tool to cut the screws as well which will allow you to get into tight spaces. However they are slower than a reciprocating saw.

If they also glued down the plywood then forget saving your cabinets.

 

[master_shake_]

if it's brown it's PL and it's a polyurethane based glue.

good luck.

the only thing i can think of is a sledge and a wedge but you're gonna damage the cabinets.

 

[MongGrel]

Hammer and chisel, good luck.

 

[NetWareHead]

So they screwed the plywood down from the top and then glued the granite down on top of that? Wow!

I doubt you could get all the areas with it, but with a reciprocating saw and a metal blade you could free the edge areas of the screws with minimal damage by cutting them.

You could also use a oscillating tool to cut the screws as well which will allow you to get into tight spaces. However they are slower than a reciprocating saw.

If they also glued down the plywood then forget saving your cabinets.

Oscillating tool 100%. A reciprocating saw lacks the ability to do a plunge cut and insert itself between the top of the cabinet and under the plywood. Plus its a beast of a tool and lacks the precision needed to avoid damaging the cabinet. Oscillating tool is made for tasks like this. Insert the blade between and have it gnaw away at the screw. Lift the plywood/granite off and away. Get a metal cutting blade. You can get a cheap ryobi or similar grade oscilllating tool. Might take you a minute or so for each screw.

If there is also glue between the plywood and cabinets, you can use the oscillating tool to dig out the glue in between and free the 2 materials.

 

[dogluver]

Thank you all for your advice. We're going to try hammer off as much as possible and then experiment with the oscillating tool. Appreciate the tips!

 

[thestrangebrew1]

So they screwed the plywood down from the top and then glued the granite down on top of that? Wow!

Is this not the proper way to do it? We just ordered granite countertops and they will be installed in a few weeks. They explained this exact way when they were talking to us about installation...


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[dogluver]

Is this not the proper way to do it? We just ordered granite countertops and they will be installed in a few weeks. They explained this exact way when they were talking to us about installation...

From the information I've been able to glean online, I think nails might be more commonly used. Nails would allow you to just crowbar the plywood off the cabinets.

Screwing down into the cabinet appears to be the worst way to install granite countertops, as far as making it extremely difficult to ever remove said countertops. If that's the way your installers are doing it, let's just hope you are happy with that granite and your cabinets for years and years to come because separating them will be a total female dog.

Another thing: if you have one of those built-in glass or ceramic ranges that sit within your countertop, make sure that's not glued in because if it is, you probably won't be able to salvage it if you ever need to remove the granite. This has been our experience as well unfortunately.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Ah I didn't make the distinction between nails and screws. I'll make sure to double check with my installer. I'll ask about the cooktop. We will be getting a new one installed at the same time as the granite.


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[paperfist]

Is this not the proper way to do it? We just ordered granite countertops and they will be installed in a few weeks. They explained this exact way when they were talking to us about installation...


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I'm not sure there is a proper way, but the way dogluver's was installed pretty much ensures you aren't taking it apart without a fight.

I've seen them installed with a plywood base and without a plywood base. In both scenarios you don't need a ton of silicone to hold it down.

I'd go the plywood route because you want as level a surface as possible across all cabinets. Granite isn't exactly a tough stone and cracks fairly easy. In going with the plywood route I'd use brackets to secure it to the cabinets from below like you would if it were a 'Formica' pre-made counter top with a particle board base.

 

[lmiller2558]

This really helped with a project I am working on.

 

[Sukhoi]

You could also try using a rotary hammer in hammer mode as a mini-jackhammer to crush the granite to pieces using a point chisel or a bit like this https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-HS1909-SDS-Max-Concrete-Bushing/dp/B0009H5P2M I would suspect the force is low enough to not damage the cabinet structure.

If you can get a bit of the interface exposed you could also try to use a wider chisel at a low angle under the granite. Or maybe even try to go between the top two plies of the plywood.

 

[Greenman]

You could also try using a rotary hammer in hammer mode as a mini-jackhammer to crush the granite to pieces using a point chisel or a bit like this https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-HS1909-SDS-Max-Concrete-Bushing/dp/B0009H5P2M I would suspect the force is low enough to not damage the cabinet structure.

If you can get a bit of the interface exposed you could also try to use a wider chisel at a low angle under the granite. Or maybe even try to go between the top two plies of the plywood.

Thread is three years old, he might have finished by now.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Thread is three years old, he might have finished by now.

"might" have...

 

[Sukhoi]

Thread is three years old, he might have finished by now.

Yeah, but I thought it might help the poster from this morning and anyone else that finds this down the road.

 

[randay]

circular saw set to depth, diamond blade, cut a grid. then cut/pry each section.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Now that we're not in 2016 anymore, I'm pretty sure that it's a Seller's market. I suggest he leaves the countertops and gets out of there!