How To Fix Warped Countertop

Wood is a natural material and – like whatsoever product – if incorrectly handled it may be susceptible to damage. Our wood worktops are manufactured to the highest standard and we practice everything that we can to ensure that the items reach you in perfect status. Yet in rare circumstances issues can arise as a result of wrong storage or installation.

Not installing your worktops right away? Find out more about installation by reading this information guide:

Immediately after receipt you lot should care for DIY worktops (worktops that take non been pre-oiled by ourselves) with at to the lowest degree three coats of Rustins Danish Oil (the stop grains will require more) in accordance with our aftercare guide. Once oiled, store your worktops indoors, away from any heated or damp areas, and lay apartment with battens separating each worktop.

If your worktop has get bowed, even so, then panic non! The damage is far from irreversible; some very unproblematic measures can be taken to restore information technology to its natural shape.

Well-maintained wood worktops are a beautiful feature in real wood kitchens.

First, let's explicate why your worktop may be like this, and then that you may accept the necessary preventative measures in futurity.

Kiln Stale Worktops

Our wooden worktops are kiln stale to reduce moisture content to 8 -10%; however this may fluctuate due to the nature and structure of wood (which reacts to its environment).
Wood expands and contracts with changes in the surrounding humidity and – to a lesser degree – temperature. More humid air will cause forest to expand and drier air will cause wood to contract.

Your worktops will acclimatise to the surrounding conditions and any changes in relative humidity and temperature may cause your kitchen worktop to warp. Worktops should be stored in the surface area of installation from the outset or, if stored in another area initially, should residue in the area of installation for at least iii days prior to installation. Worktops transported from a different surrounding and installed immediately are especially decumbent to motility and warping.

Bowing In one case Installed

On rare occasions timber worktops may bow once installed. Almost always this is as a result of wrong plumbing fixtures, which restricts the wood's natural wrinkle and expansion. The release of moisture in the room (from appliances such as tumble dryers) and insufficient protection may likewise cause damage.

If your worktop has been left for an extended period of time earlier installation, or it has not been stored correctly (laid out flat with battens separating each worktop), bowing can occur. If this is the example, there's no need to worry; the post-obit procedure should help yous to recover its original position.

Brainstorm the process by oiling your worktops with the recommended Rustins Danish Oil (delight run into our guide to worktop maintenance for more data). This volition seal the timber in preparation for installation. Ensure you apply at least three coats (with 6-viii hours of drying time in betwixt) to the faces, and 6 coats to the end grains.
Fix the dorsum end of the worktop to the supporting base of operations units sitting below it. Make sure you're only using the slotted angle brackets –any other fixing bracket will restrict the worktop'southward natural movement. Apply the slot that runs perpendicular to the direction of the grain pattern (across, non parallel with it).
Slowly and gently pull the worktop down using clamps and battens. It'south of import not to rush this stage – the timber will split if you utilise too much force – and be patient: this function of the process can take 1-2 weeks.
Once the worktop has been pulled down, secure the front edge, as well. Your worktop should exist back to its natural shape now.

If your worktop is warped rather than bowed or cupped, you'll desire to read how to correct information technology by visiting the following information guide:

Fixing a bowed worktop that has already been installed

Prime Beech kitchen worktop will last for many years if well treated and installed correctly.

Once installed cupping or warping can occasionally occur equally a consequence of the woods reacting to changes in relative humidity or temperature. For example, if the top (as it is more exposed to the environment) reacts more swiftly than the bottom (which is often more sheltered), the wood "cups". Furthermore, if your worktop has been installed incorrectly – if yous take used the wrong slotted brackets, for example, or if the timber does non take sufficient protection – it can bow during its apply.

If your worktop has cupped upwards: this may be fixed quite hands by placing a reasonable (but not excessive) weight on the bowed area, causing it to gently return to its natural flat shape.

If your worktop has cupped downwardly: this is often due to incorrect installation. Check and brand certain you've used the right slot on the slotted brackets that volition have fitted your worktops to the cabinets below it. If it doesn't run perpendicular to the grain width, you haven't fitted it correctly.

Furthermore, an overhang more than 200mm should not exist left unsupported. In some circumstances the but method for fixing a cupped worktop would be to uninstall the worktop and re-install according to the canonical instructions to a higher place.

If your worktops have been damaged in whatever other way, we recommend referring to:

And finally… Upon (re)installation of your worktop, make sure you lot have provided the correct protection: moisture barriers fitted above relevant appliances volition prevent changes in humidity from affecting your worktop, and sufficient oiling to the underside of your worktop volition besides reduce potential damage, too. You should get out at least a 30mm gap between the end cap and a heat source such as an AGA or freestanding oven to protect the end grain from exposure to excessive estrus.

If you require whatsoever further advice regarding your worktops, delight do not hesitate to contact us – we're always here to aid.

Please note: this guide was updated on 27th October 2014 to reflect recent changes to the products utilised in our pre-oiling procedure. For more information on the changes, delight visit our Improvements to our Pre-Oiling Service for Wooden Worktops web log postal service.

Please Note:This guide was originally posted on 20^thursday Nov 2013 and was updated on 28^th March 2018 to include boosted data.