Thermal Stress. One of the most common causes of hairline cracks on porcelain sinks is thermal stress.
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.
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.
Abrasive cleaners: Abrasive cleaners that contain harsh chemicals can stain, scratch, or damage the finish on porcelain sinks.
Do not use cleaning products that contain acids or ammonia (and other harsh chemicals) as these can damage grout and glazed surfaces of the tile. Choose products that are compatible with your grout to avoid damage or discoloration of the grout. Always dry your porcelain thoroughly after cleaning.
Porcelain is susceptible to scratches and chips that might expose the surface beneath, which makes it vital to avoid dropping heavy metal objects in it or using sharp metal around it. It's recommended that people use silicone pads or a stainless steel rack to help protect it.
Porcelain sinks have an average lifespan of 20–25 years. While all materials take on wear and tear over time, porcelain sinks can be refinished to keep them looking brand new and gorgeous for decades.
The average cost to refinish a porcelain sink is between $100 and $200. The process generally includes sanding down the existing finish, applying a new finish, and polishing the sink to a high shine. The type of finish will affect the overall cost, as well as the type of sink.
These can appear for a number of reasons, but ultimately time will be what makes them worse. It could take months, years or even decades for a crack to really become pronounced in your porcelain! In kitchens (and some bathrooms), temperature changes can be a major culprit in the formation of porcelain cracks.
For chips, use a putty knife to apply spot epoxy to the damaged area. Use thin coats but cover the entire chipped area. Give the damaged area about 45 minutes to dry before sanding and applying another coat, if necessary. The repaired areas will have a slightly glossy finish.
Sink cracks and chips can usually be repaired easily. If, however, your sink is leaking because it has structural cracks, it is time for a replacement. Although the process of fixing a cracked porcelain sink is relatively straightforward, it's not a project you want to do more than once.
A porcelain sink is typically solid with no frame underneath, an enamel sink will have a frame usually made of steel or iron – as a result, a porcelain sink will be much lighter than enamel. Visually, the two sinks are very similar.
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.
Porcelain must be sealed for the same reasons you seal shower glass doors. Our sealants are also effective on baked enamel bath fixtures.
To tell the difference between a ceramic and a porcelain sink, try placing a magnet near it. Most porcelain sinks are metal with a porcelain finish. As a result, magnets usually stick to their surfaces. Ceramic sinks are usually entirely ceramic and not magnetic.
Porcelain sinks are more fragile than their stainless steel counterparts. And porcelain sinks are made up of a cast-iron center and coated in a porcelain finish that is baked on. While durable, the finish can be chipped off.
The average cost to replace a kitchen sink is $380 to $1,400, including old sink removal and disposal, a new sink, and installation labor.
Porcelain kitchen sinks are durable
While porcelain is incredibly durable, it can chip or stain under certain conditions. If you drop a heavy item in your porcelain sink, such as a cast iron pan, it may chip and require resurfacing.
A stainless steel sink is the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen sink as they are resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. What's more, they are also some of the most versatile sinks coming in a variety of styles and sizes meaning they fit in most kitchens easily no matter the size or style.
Stainless steel is easily workable and has a long service life that will retain its clean finish look, with little to no maintenance costs. Additionally, due to the special high chromium and nickel-alloyed grades, it can resist scaling and retain strength at extreme temperatures better than porcelain.
Is Comet safe to use on Corian, Formica, porcelain, fiberglass and stainless steel. Yes. Comet Cleansers, Comet Soft Cleanser and Comet Bathroom Sprays are all safe to use on these surfaces.
Our cooktop cleaner easily restores glossy induction surfaces, and does double duty on other tough cleaning problems from sinks to cookware to countertops. Bar Keepers Friend even removes food buildup and knife marks from porcelain, ceramic, glass dishes, and serving ware.