Formica Counter Top

Posted by marybeth on November 21, 2006, 1:08 pm

My new (1 yr old) formica counter top is seperating along the brown
seam line. The seam line is on the top of the backsplash, - where the
upright or vertical backsplash meets a finish strip of formica laid
across the top of the backsplash.

The seam is opening up, apparently from water, and I'd like to know how
to seal it to prevent any further damage. I don't see how it could be
squeeezed back together again, unless it was removed and then put in
glue clamps, which is a lot of work. A backsplash should not be so
easily affected by water.

Thanks for your help.

Posted by on November 21, 2006, 1:32 pm

marybeth wrote:

> My new (1 yr old) formica counter top is seperating along the brown
> seam line. The seam line is on the top of the backsplash, - where the
> upright or vertical backsplash meets a finish strip of formica laid
> across the top of the backsplash.
> The seam is opening up, apparently from water, and I'd like to know how
> to seal it to prevent any further damage. I don't see how it could be
> squeeezed back together again, unless it was removed and then put in
> glue clamps, which is a lot of work. A backsplash should not be so
> easily affected by water.
> Thanks for your help.

Heavy duty Liquid Nails and something heavy on top of it while it
cures. A weight, or dumbell, etc.

Posted by HeyBub on November 21, 2006, 1:44 pm

marybeth wrote:

> My new (1 yr old) formica counter top is seperating along the brown
> seam line. The seam line is on the top of the backsplash, - where
> the upright or vertical backsplash meets a finish strip of formica
> laid across the top of the backsplash.
> The seam is opening up, apparently from water, and I'd like to know
> how to seal it to prevent any further damage. I don't see how it
> could be squeeezed back together again, unless it was removed and
> then put in glue clamps, which is a lot of work. A backsplash should
> not be so easily affected by water.
> Thanks for your help.

Rig something to apply pressure while the glue sets. Me, I'd use a 2x4
(maybe more than one) from an opposite wall and a couple of shims. Maybe
some supports to hold up the 20-foot long 2x4 concoction. It only has to
work for an hour or so.

Suppose the opposite wall is ten feet away. Two 2x4s, held together by a
couple of C-Clamps can give you the length need to bridge the glue-area to
the opposite wall.

Posted by Goedjn on November 21, 2006, 3:47 pm

wrote:

>marybeth wrote:

>> My new (1 yr old) formica counter top is seperating along the brown
>> seam line. The seam line is on the top of the backsplash, - where
>> the upright or vertical backsplash meets a finish strip of formica
>> laid across the top of the backsplash.
>> The seam is opening up, apparently from water, and I'd like to know
>> how to seal it to prevent any further damage. I don't see how it
>> could be squeeezed back together again, unless it was removed and
>> then put in glue clamps, which is a lot of work. A backsplash should
>> not be so easily affected by water.
>> Thanks for your help.

>Rig something to apply pressure while the glue sets. Me, I'd use a 2x4
>(maybe more than one) from an opposite wall and a couple of shims. Maybe
>some supports to hold up the 20-foot long 2x4 concoction. It only has to
>work for an hour or so.
>Suppose the opposite wall is ten feet away. Two 2x4s, held together by a
>couple of C-Clamps can give you the length need to bridge the glue-area to
>the opposite wall.

If you've got C clamps, why not clamp one of the boards to the
fron lip of the counter, and thus avoid having 2x4s across your
room? Out of curiosity, is the substrate under the formica
plywood, press-board, or wood?

Posted by Norminn on November 21, 2006, 1:45 pm

marybeth wrote:

> My new (1 yr old) formica counter top is seperating along the brown
> seam line. The seam line is on the top of the backsplash, - where the
> upright or vertical backsplash meets a finish strip of formica laid
> across the top of the backsplash.
>
> The seam is opening up, apparently from water, and I'd like to know how
> to seal it to prevent any further damage. I don't see how it could be
> squeeezed back together again, unless it was removed and then put in
> glue clamps, which is a lot of work. A backsplash should not be so
> easily affected by water.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>

Probably should run a thin line of silicone caulk on the seam, or keep
water off of it. I have the same problem with a very old counter in
bathroom. I painted the exposed particle board and put sil. caulk over
it. It doesn't seem to take much water to start particle board
expanding, so no seam should be allowed lengthy standing water. I used
to have a kitchen countertop that sloped ever so slightly lower toward
the back, so that spills could run and collect under stuff standing on
the back of the counter. Eventually caused the mitered seam on the
corner to start bulging.

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