You can't dent a ceramic kitchen sink, but you can chip and crack it if you try hard enough.
Cracks in ceramic sink: Assess the situation and the sink
Porcelain sinks are both beautiful and easy to clean. On the down side, it's a brittle material and easily cracked. One drop of a heavy object can leave you staring at a major chip in your porcelain.
The disadvantages of ceramic sinks are much smaller, but they should also be considered before buying. First, sinks made of this material are quite heavy and difficult to install them yourself. Secondly, the ceramic surface is not resistant to strong shocks. If you drop something very heavy into the sink, it may crack.
Best for: Affordability, durability, and low maintenance. The most common option for a kitchen sink material is stainless steel. This material is well-known for its water-resistance, durability, and scratch-resistance, and is also often recognized for superior rust-resistance and antimicrobial properties.
Durability: The durability of ceramic sinks and their heavy frames, make them sturdy and reliable kitchen centerpieces. Heavy duty glazing and layered clay composition makes this sink chip proof as well as resistant to many household chemicals.
You have to remember that the aesthetic beauty of a ceramic sink is its main selling point so a little care is required in its maintenance. If you want longevity and durability combined with a sleek modern style, look no further than a granite-made composite sink.
Drastic temperature shifts
Like a lot of household objects or fittings, drastic temperature changes cause damage to bathroom sinks. Repeated temperature shock can lead to swelling and cracking of your porcelain and enamel.
'The easiest kitchen sink material to maintain is going to be one made of stainless steel, copper, cast iron or enamel because they will not support microbial growth as they are not cellulose material,' says Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean.
Stainless steel is the most popular kitchen sink material for ease of use/cleaning, installation, and to achieve a modern kitchen design. They provide a contemporary look with a sleek profile, especially when paired with composite stone, granite, or wood countertops.
Porcelain Kitchen Sinks
Strong and durable, porcelain sinks hold up well over time when cared for. Porcelain sinks are available in a wide range of colors. Porcelain can mimic the look of natural stones, like marble. It's a low maintenance material that's easy to clean.
Hazards. There have been known cases of silicosis, or "potter's rot, from chronic inhalation of large amounts of free silica during clay mixing. Symptoms of silicosis include: shortness of breath, dry cough, emphysema, and high susceptibility to lung infections such as tuberculosis.
Just putting some warm water and washing-up liquid on a soft sponge and cleaning your kitchen sink with it every day will do the trick. Limescale is best avoided by rubbing your sink dry with a microfibre cloth afterwards.
Ceramic sinks can also withstand very high temperatures so you don't need to worry about pouring boiling water on them and are resistant to chemicals so no need to worry about keeping household cleaning products away from them.
Porcelain is considered the hardest clay available today and it starts out as... ceramic. It is heated in a kiln at an extremely high temperature (higher than ceramic), so it is less porous and dense. Porcelain is very strong with a smooth finish.
If you have identified a small chip or crack in your ceramic sink, you may be able to repair it yourself using a DIY kit. These kits typically contain a special adhesive and filler material. You can use this to fill in the damaged area and restore the sink's appearance.
Acrylic
This easily moldable plastic is one of the most affordable and versatile kitchen sinks you can find. It's easy to clean, strong, sound absorbent, and the nonporous surface is resistant to mildew and dirt buildup.
Durability - It's nearly impossible to scratch or chip fireclay, and they're much less likely to crack or scratch compared to cast iron. Because of the finish, fireclay sinks are unlikely to discolor, rust, or fade over time.
Stainless steel sinks are very low maintenance; they are corrosion and rust resistant, and as long as they are cared for properly and wiped down after every use, they should not stain. Find out more about how to clean a stainless steel sink by reading our guide with handy tips and tricks from our experts.
While stainless steel sinks are durable, they do tend to scratch if abrasive cleansers are used. You might notice tiny scratches on an older stainless steel sink if you look closely. Most stainless steel varieties have a grain or pattern to them.
Clean your ceramic sink regularly with a mix of hot water and washing up liquid along with a soft cloth to keep on top of small stains. Removing small marks will ensure you won't have to deep clean your sink as frequently. You can also remove use our Cramer ceramic polish to brighten up your sink.
Try to avoid placing extremely hot or cold substances into your ceramic sink, or these can cause it to crack. If you do need to pour boiling water in your sink, make sure the cold tap is turned on first.
Getting a proper seal around your bathroom sink prevents water penetration. Here's the best way to ensure a complete seal around your sink area to make it easier to clean and less prone to water damage and dis-colouration.
› You must not pour strong chemicals down the sink such as bleach, ammonia, caustic soda, white sprit and sterilising solutions. If this should accidentally happen, quickly wipe the spill away and rinse with plenty of water.