7 Things Homeowners Should Keep in Mind When Carrying Natural Stone Countertop Pieces

Safety First custom cabinets Concord

Amateur homeowners upgrading their kitchen design Concord who have decided to take their stone kitchen installation into their own hands should first understand the safety risks that come with the trade. Stone countertops are slabs of mountains, after all; they’re heavy, hard, and sharp, and they can be a real hassle when dropped, to say the least. This is why it’s critical for amateur do-it-yourselfer to carry the safety equipment when lifting and carrying the pieces. These include steel-toe construction boots, padded gloves, and possibly a lower back harness. More importantly, the installer must envelop an efficient, completely safe mindset until the pieces are all safely installed.

Lift With the Legs, Not the Back

Many amateur installers make the mistake of relying on their backs when lifting the pieces. This is initially easier than lifting with the legs, though the installer will certainly start to feel it in his or her lower back if they insist on using the back to lift. It’s advised kitchen design Concord that installers squat down to position when preparing to lift the piece, the rely wholly on their quadriceps to bring the piece up to chest level. While carrying the piece, the installers must anchor their movements in the muscles of their legs rather than their backs.

Work Together to Hold the Balance

Whether it’s two people carrying the piece into the home, or six, all lifters must work together to maintain the balance of the piece. Any sudden movement or great pressure from one person in the opposite direction can give the piece enough momentum to topple over.

Call Out the Steps quartz countertops Concord

The person walking backwards while carrying the piece needs all the help they can get, which is why the other installer must call out the entry steps of a home as they come up.

Prepare Checkpoints

Since it’s feasible for an installer to run low on energy before reaching the kitchen, it’s highly advised that the installers place checkpoints along the path from the truck to the kitchen. Simply laying down a few planks of wood with a painter’s tarp will do. This way, installers can lay the piece down for a while and gather their strengths for the next lift.

Support the Piece on the Way Down cabinetry Concord

Once the piece finally reaches the cabinet, the work is still not done yet. The piece can still snap at any point, especially when it’s in an unsupported horizontal position. Installers must keep the piece supported as it is lowered flat over the cabinet.

Watch Those Fingers

No installer wants any of their fingers to be a casualty of the installation. As the piece is being brought down over the cabinet, ensure that there is significant clearance for every finger.