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Bespoke concrete designs from Byron Bay

Care + Warranty

Warranty

Slabshapers warrant that the product will be free from manufacturing defects provided the product is installed and/or fabricated by a certified Slabshapers fabricator/installer. Slabshapers is not responsible for labour or installation charges, removal and/or disposal charges of existing benchtops or any other expenses associated with a defective product. Slabshapers sole responsibility is replacement, exchange, or repair of a defective product.

This warranty does not cover:

  • use of the benchtop for any commercial purpose

  • edge chipping, surface damage caused by wear and tear, cracking or discolouration due to the product being subjected to high heat or damage caused by improper use or abuse including damage from mishandling or misuse, cracking around voids and cutouts, exposure to ultra violet light, damage from physical or chemical abuse and damage from improper care and maintenance including, but not limited to, damage caused by cleaning with abrasive substances

  • scratches or stains

  • any chemical damage

  • damage to the product because it has been fabricated or installed in an improper manner or contrary to any specifications outlined by Slabshapers.

  • any failures to benchtops or cabinetry due to inadequate support or un-level cabinetry for the installation

  • the altering of any factory-applied finish

  • additional modifications such as plumbing, electrical, tile, cabinets, flooring, etc. that may be necessary to repair or replace the Slabshapers product covered under this warranty

  • chipping or pinholes occurring during fabrication or through ongoing use

  • seam appearance or seam performance

  • hairline cracking around cutouts during or after installation

  • products that have not been paid in full

  • routine maintenance and minor conditions such as stains, acid etching, revealing of pinholes, and water spots that are a function of proper care and maintenance and which may be corrected by following the techniques specified in the Care & Maintenance Guide

    This warranty applies only to benchtops that have been permanently installed in residences and that have not been moved from original installations.

    This warranty is not transferable during the warranty period to any subsequent owner of the residence in which the surface product was originally installed.

    The warranty does not apply where the defect is trivial or insubstantial and where the product is installed with known or visible manufacturing defects at time of installation, including but not limited to colour variance or flatness deviation beyond reason.

    Any claim under the warranty will not be recognised or accepted and the warranty does not apply if: 

  • the claim is not supported by proof of the purchase of the product from Slabshapers within one (1) year

  • the claim is not made within a reasonable period after the defect in the product would have become apparent to a reasonable person

  • the product alleged to be defective is not made available for inspection and testing by Slabshapers or its authorised representatives or consultants.

    Special Note:
    Concrete benchtops are poured in moulds, therefore when they are removed from the mould they will have some pinholes or bubbles along with other voids, "character markings", and discolourations. These will become more pronounced and increase in number as the benchtop is polished. These holes will be filled but with age some further pinholes may appear in the surface. These are not considered manufacturing defects; rather it is a reflection of the ongoing patina of the concrete product. Areas around voids and cutouts are a weak point and are susceptible to cracks. These are not manufacturing defects and due to the reinforcing used, these cracks are not structural rather aesthetic.

Caring for your concrete benchtop

We always recommend taking the best care, using trivets, coasters and food mats, and wiping any residue immediately to eliminate the possibility of marking. This not only helps to protect your benchtop but also extends the longevity of your concrete products. Some Ceramics may react to concrete benchtops so we recommend keeping your benchtops clear of any vases, pots, plates, bowls, ect for extended periods of time.

Cleaning

We recommend Lithofen Easy-Clean for easy every day cleaning. Contact us to purchase or visit our online shop. We also recommend a non abrasive natural cleaner/not citrus based. We are proud to note that our sealer is suited to both residential & commercial applications.

Maintenance  

Our concrete benchtops do not require much maintenance to stay looking great; and unlike other benchtops, over time they will form characteristic concrete features that we love. As this is a specialty product, depending on amount of use, you may need a buff & reseal. 

Food prep

To keep your benchtop looking like day one, never cut directly onto your benchtop. Our concrete is extremely strong, so it will blunt your knives and possibly leave marks. Our sealer meets the Green Building Council of Australia Green Star IEQ-11 & 12 and is completely food safe upon curing. 

Strength

It takes 28 days for our benchtops to fully cure. Although over time our benchtops are extremely strong, (minimum of 90MPa with over 12% flexural strength, comparing to traditional concrete which stands at 40 MPa), we do not recommend standing or putting an unnecessary additional weight as it may damage the cabinetry beneath, and sufficient reinforcing should always be in place to adequately support the benchtops and reduce hairline fractures.

UV & Heat Resistance

Our sealer is completely UV Resistant, and heat resistant to a maximum of 149'C comparing to other stone benchtops, which can only normally take around 100'C. A rule of thumb is that if your hand cannot touch the hot surface, then your benchtop should not. Although it is heat resistant, we recommend using trivets or coasters at all times to help protect the sealer and longevity of our products.

Chemical Resistance

Concrete benchtops and sealer may be permanently damaged with any exposure to strong chemicals or solvents or aggressive cleaning agents. In the event that they may come in contact, immediately rinse with water. We do not recommend testing, however the below chemicals have been tested on a 24 hour period with no effect. 

Tested for 24 hours with NO effect:

  • Tap Water

  • Coffee

  • Coca-Cola

  • Grape Juice

  • Tomato Sauce

  • Mustard

  • Clorox Bleach 10%

  • MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone)

  • Xylene

  • Mineral Spirits

  • 100% Ethanol

  • 10% Acetic Acid

  • 5% Sodium Hydroxide

  • 50% Sodium Hydroxide

  • 85% Lactic Acid

  • 50% Sulfuric Acid

  • 38% Hydrochloric Acid

  • 10% Sodium Chloride Solution

  • 28% Ammonia

We strongly recommend that you do not test your benchtop with any sort of chemicals or foods.

 

 

 

(c) Slabshapers 2018