TILE COUNTERTOP REMOVAL & DAMAGED CABINETRY

  The majority of old countertops we remove and replace are tile. Even a small countertop will look larger once the "broken" up look of tile and grout has been replaced with single slabs of stone or a seamless countertop of acrylic.
  Unlike laminate tops that pop off, tile countertops have been known to present both the homeowner and countertop person with an occasional surprise. Underneath most tile tops are a combination of mortar, chicken wire and tar paper, with the tar paper being the bottom element. The tar paper is pulled down over the edge of the cabinetry before the chicken wire, mortar and tile are laid down. After the tile has been set the tile person would go back and trim the the tar paper even with the countertops. If they were careful, the paper was trimmed properly and things were good to go. In the event they were in a hurry and quickly ran a knife to cut the paper, there is always the chance the cabinetry may have sustained damage in the shape of a deep cut that runs the length of the countertops.
  The drop down edge of the countertops is generally 1 1/2". This allow the edge to come over the top the tops of the cabinetry and cover any scars from the old tile that was torn out. But in the case of the cabinetry having been damaged by a knife or blade, this edge size may not work. Previously homeowners would take a small dowel and nail it under the new countertop with finishing nails and stain it the same color as the cabinets if possible. Although this worked for some customers, others didn't like the idea, feeling it looked like an afterthought, which it actually was.
  In the past several years we have found that the best way to hide this scarring and allow the cabinetry to look as new as possible, was to go with a larger 2 1/4" drop down edge. Although this larger edge is costlier, it eliminates the need for any dowel and presents a clean, neat cabinet appearance, with nothing to detract from your new countertops.
  We never know what we are going to find until we actually rip the tile out, but any time I meet with a customer having a tile countertop I mnetion this possibility. Although we find a need for this heavier edge only 50% of the time, I prefer to present the worse case scenario up front and explain what we might find. This allows customers to be forewarned in the case that we need to go with the larger drop down edge and eliminate any thought that we might be doing a "bait & switch" - selling one edge and then coming back to say it will cost more for another edge.
  Being a small business means being proactive. We prefer to let you know up front any potential issues that may arise versus waiting until they happen and then letting you know there may be more cost involved. We all work hard for our money, and none of us like surprises! http://www.monarch-designs.com/