Huge Gap in Vanity Top Backsplash

[shorty]

Hi, We're redoing a little bit of our bathroom putting new fixtures and such in. We have found out the wall is not square. We took the old vanity out and went to put the new one in and it doesn't sit square. We got it in okay, but the vanity top (made out of marble) is will not sit flush. The only way it will sit "straight" is to NOT be against the wall, hence we have a large gap between the backsplash and wall (tiled). What would be the best resolution? We thought about grouting it, but we'll have a huge (about 1 Inch) grout line. But that' the only thing I can come up with. Tearing the entire wall and tile down is NOT an option at this time. We've got to figure out some way to work around the crookedness. Any suggestions would be appreicated. Thanks!

Here's a picture so you can see what I'm talking about.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dabbs4/si...countertop.jpg

[John Bridge]

Hi Shorty,

Welcome to the world of the un-square.

So you're saying that with the top setting the way it is in the picture, it's straight with the front of the cabinet? Usually, the fix would be to "scribe" the left end of the top to agree with the wall -- so that the back splash portion would go up against the back wall. That's what would look the best, but I can't see the cabinet front.

[Davy]

It's hard to tell by your picher but is it possible to trim the countertop on the left end to fit the wall? Push the countertop against the back wall and trim the left end to fit the wall.

John's fast with those rested retared fingers.

[shorty]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

What would I need to use to cut cultured marble with? I was afraid any type of cut would ruin it.

The way it is on the front of the vanity is fine. We have a slight overhang on the front and it is on there level (as far as.. same overhang all around) except this leaves a gap in the back. If we try and push it back against the wall, it will fit in the left hand corner good, but then on the right hand corner, there is about a 1 inch gap. We'd rather have a even gap all the way down the backsplash than none on one end and 1" on the other.

Everything else is even and level. Just the back has the big gap in it.

[John Bridge]

Can you buy the end splash pieces? Usually there is a splash on both ends, too. It covers the gaps.

[shorty]

I'm not sure, I haven't seen them. This backsplash is made onto the countertop. But they might sell something extra that could be added.

In case they don't, what would you recommend? Grouting? Or trying to cut the top at an angle that will sit flush? What would I use?

[Davy]

If the cabinet is against the back wall and the C-top is against the back wall as well, the over hang on the front should be the same. Scibe the left wall to fit. Normally a carborundum blade is used but I'll bet a diamond blade will work as well. Like JB said, a splash on the end would work even better.

[John Bridge]

Sounds to me like you're going to have a gap no matter which way you set the top, so pick your poison.

You could maybe find some really decorative tile to use on the ends and maybe even up the back wall above the built-in splash. Maybe you could fur it out a little on the ends to cover the gaps.

[shorty]

Thank you very much for the help. Before we do anything, I'll check and see if they have any tiles or some backsplash additions we could use there.

Unfortunately, this is not the first problem we've run into with this house not being squared.

Thank you again!

[Rich Turley]

Looks to me like taking a little off the front-left side of the counter would do it. I've done this before using a belt sander on cultered marble. Takes a little time, but with a little patience you should get a good fit. If you have less patience you can usually get it close enough for caulk to hide imperfections.

Rich