Backsplash in 13QBB poor design.

[jtelles3993]

Looks great!

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/8476/thread" author="@gmalala" timestamp="1427381020"][p]Here you go.  Since counter space is so limited, we took the opportunity to extend the countertop out in front a bit.[/p][p]
[/p][p]

[/p][/quote]That looks really nice!

[hdrehder]

Very nice! Thanks gmalala

[peislander]

[quote source="/post/7924/thread" timestamp="1426536029" author="@dave"]Just got back from a winter long stay in Key Largo backed by a week in St. Joe's Peninsula State park.  I knew that I had a problem to address when I returned home since the countertop backsplash had warped and pulled away from the wall.

The problem begins because the faucet barely reaches into the sink.  The spout only reaches 3 1/2" from the center of the faucet.  Anything rinsed under it creates a splash that accumulates around the base of the faucet.  The backsplash laps it up because there was no caulk bead under or in front of it.  The only bead was at the top of the splash (the only attempt toward adhesion!).  

Worse than that, the backsplash is styrofoam sandwiched between a laminate front and a very thin backer sheet of Masonite.

i'm thinking of leaving it off and caulking the deck of the counter to the aluminum wall.  Any opinions?

The only alternative is to rest weight on each end and try to straighten out the warp.  Then, I'm still left with a backsplash whose front laminate is bubbling up from the styrofoam substrate.  What poor execution of a countertop build.  It's possible to get too carried away in the pursuit of "lightweight".


[/quote]Dave - Sorry to read about your backsplash problem. I thought I'd clarify a small mistake in your original description of how the splash is constructed. The thin backer laminate is not "masonite". It is a phenolic laminate backer sheet commonly known as the backer (non-exposed) grade of 'plastic laminate' or 'Plam'. Phenolic laminate backer sheet is the same as the decorative face sheet except it doesn't incorporate the printed decorate layer. All phenolic laminates, whether decorative or backer grade, are typically manufactured with multiple layers of kraft paper and phenolic resin that have been laminated under heat and high pressure. There are versions made with linen, nylon, and cotton fibers but they aren't common. Phenolic laminates are not damaged by water. Incidentally the 'Paperstone' product mentioned in this thread is also a phenolic laminate but much thicker than your typical 'Formica' or 'Wilsonart' plastic laminate. The kraft paper used in phenolic laminates is made with wood but it is so impregnated with the phenolic resin that it no longer can absorb water. Bakelite as was used in old distributor caps etc is basically the same resin but molded typically with wood flour instead of kraft paper.  ---- At this point you are probably asking how does this guy know this stuff? -- or thinking "Jeesh, I bet this guy is the life of the party"! 

Plastic laminate sheets will naturally curl. When used in furniture a 'sandwich' with a decorative face sheet, a core material, and a backer sheet are used to reduce warping. It would seem from your experience with the backsplash that with foam used as the core it isn't as stable as the manufacture likely intended. I don't think your warping had anything to do with water -- it may have more to do with the Florida heat. That said it is possible that the expanded polystyrene foam absorbed water but I won't get into that or you might fall into a deep coma!  

[runningwriter]

[quote timestamp="1426536029" author="@dave" source="/post/7924/thread"]
"The problem begins because the faucet barely reaches into the sink"


[/quote]Fixed that, today.  Replaced the factory faucet, with this one from HDepot.  A much improved 'reach' into the sink.

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/9890/thread" timestamp="1429900048" author="@dave"][quote source="/post/7924/thread" timestamp="1426536029" author="@dave"]"The problem begins because the faucet barely reaches into the sink"


[/quote]Fixed that, today.  Replaced the factory faucet, with this one from HDepot.  A much improved 'reach' into the sink.[/quote]You might want to install the other way so the water doesn't fall out.