How to avoid mistakes when installing concrete countertops

The fabrication of concrete countertops is generally a simple process, but its installation is considered to be the most complicated among all the other kitchen countertop installation processes. If the installation of your concrete countertop comes with poor preparation, careless handling, improper measuring, and a sloppy building system, then expect mistakes to happen or worse, the improper installation of your countertop.

You do not have to ask the services of professional builders to install your concrete countertop because you can do it yourself. To avoid mistakes during the installation of your concrete countertop, follow these simple yet important tips:

• Make sure your tools are complete. To avoid potential problems during the installation of your concrete countertop, start by making a checklist of all the tools you are going to need. Gather all the tools in your list. If you do not have some of the items, borrow them from your neighbors or ask for assistance from your contractor so you would not have to buy them. Make sure you have everything you need before starting the installation process.
• Get plenty of help. Because you need to move the countertop from one place to another, ask your family or friends to help you with the lifting and transporting. Concrete countertop slabs are very heavy, measuring about 20 pounds per square foot. They are difficult to maneuver around the house manually. Lifting them by yourself can cause you injuries like stress fractures.
• Cure your countertop. Because concrete generally takes about three to four weeks before reaching its full strength, you should let your countertop cure completely before attempting to move or maneuver it around the house. Leave the concrete slab to cure undisturbed in one place to support the narrow edges of the concrete countertop.
• Use construction adhesives. For the proper and secure attachment of your concrete countertop, apply a small amount of construction adhesive or silicone caulk to the top edges of your kitchen countertop. Remember to use only the proper amount. Be careful when handling the adhesive because it can squeeze out of the tube with too much pressure and create a mess. Once the concrete countertop is already in place, cut the block out into pieces using a jigsaw. Set the jigsaw aside where it would be undisturbed afterwards.
• Seal the surface. Using a concrete sealing product that is recommended by your countertop manufacturer, seal the exposed surfaces of the concrete slab to protect it against food and liquid stain absorption and to make it easy to maintain. After the coating has dried, buff the surface using a ScotchBrite pad before applying a coat of acrylic clear finish such as Minwax Polycrylic. To achieve a high-gloss surface, buff using a car buffer or an electric drill fitted with a buffing pad.