New sink-top covering required

[popotla]

Our motorhome was new in August 2018. Well within the guarantee period of two years the sink top deteriorated to the state its in now (as in the photo), and it has to be fixed. The seller (whom we informed about the problem some months ago) is saying it's "our fault", a point there's no purpose in discussing here because the fact remains that it has to be fixed before it gets any worse.

Although, in the photo, the wooden surface doesn't look good (!), we do not believe it needs replacing (it is not rotten/damaged, just stained). The surface area affected, which will need replacing, is approximately 106 x 52 cm. Only this part of the top, here round the sink, including further forward, out of the photo, is in the state. The rest is intact but of course must also be replaced.

I have, then, two questions I'd like to ask here.

1. For the surface, what material would be best? We think the original was too thin; we want whatever is used for repair to last "for ever".

2. In fact we are in Germany but supposing we had this work done in the U.K., what might a "ballpark figure" for the total cost of materials and labour be? Or to put it another way, what might one expect the minimum and maximum cost to be?

Any other useful advice will be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[M-J]

I’d be inclined to change the whole worktop.

 

[JFD]

Agree that the whole worktop will need to be replaced - any patch is always going to look like a patch! I can’t see how you could have caused this - the dealer is saying it’s your fault, perhaps he could explain how you could have caused the damage shown which, imho, seems to be a result of the top layer of the worktop breaking up, presumably because of some sort of manufacturing fault.

May be worth asking the dealer just why they believe it is your fault - what do they think you have been doing to cause such a dramatic breakup of the surface, a surface which is designed to take a lot of wear and tear over many years. I also wonder if any other owners of like dated models from this factory have similar issues? Is there an “owners club” for the make/model, or is it a custom conversion?

I would suggest you do the asking in writing, so you can establish and keep a paper trail, in case you need to recover costs via court action in the future!!

Good luck!!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

What has been standing on the surface?
A hot teapot or pan?
How much use has the worktop had?

 

[Just smiffy]

As above, whole worktop needs replacing...

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Looks as though it's de-laminating, from the picture.

 

[popotla]

(JFD) May be worth asking the dealer just why they believe it is your fault - what do they think you have been doing to cause such a dramatic breakup of the surface, a surface which is designed to take a lot of wear and tear over many years.

There was a great deal of animosity between myself and this small German company. I was truly shocked by aspects of management attitudes and responses (or lack of the latter, so often) and told the Sales Director that in Britain he would be out of business within a day (which I believe to be true). Things had been so bad that I would have cancelled delivery and forfeited my substantial deposit but was told that I might then be sued for breach of agreement/cancellation.
After that, I arranged with the workshop manager to get the top replaced under guarantee, and had an appointment for this work. Then I was informed that the work would not be done under guarantee (said Sales Director had informed the workshop manager of this) and then they cancelled the appointment anyway. The reason given for it being our fault was that a surface such as this ''has to be properly wiped down'', something they assumed we hadn't done.

(JFD) Is there an “owners club” for the make/model, or is it a custom conversion?

There is some sort of Owners' Group on Facebook but I have not been involved and in any case have nothing to do with Facebook. It's not a custom conversion.

There is a lot of break-up of other surfaces. I already have photographs of this and will put them on here and ask for comment.

 

[Scotch mist]

how old is the MH ?, looks like delaminating due to water ingress , the water has probably been seeping in from under the tap or the seal round the sink & for some time , being a plumber I’ve seen similar many times

 

[Trev45]

Reading your thread has certainly destroyed the myth that German converted vans are better than UK converted . That looks horrendous for a two year old van and the company should be ashamed of their work and how they have treated you . I notice you have not named the company but you certainly need to persue them through the courts if you do not get a satisfactory outcome. I cannot help but think you would have been better buying British .

 

[Minxy]

If you're not going to get it sorted under warranty I'd be inclined to remove all of the surface and then sand and seal/varnish it and leave it with the wood finish.

What make/model of MH have you got?

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Along with the delamination post you put up, I suspect your van has had some serious leaks around the sink area and has damp issues generally.
Can you advise what van it is please. Maybe someone who has this type of van can advise if they have had any similar issues.

 

[JFD]

Might be worth either joining Facebook, or asking someone who is already a member, to have a look at the Owners Group, to see if anyone else is suffering from this issue. That might give you some extra leverage to get them to fix it.

The type of damage you have should not be possible (IMHO) in two years, even if the tap were leaking regularly. Have you noticed any other damp issues? Is the cupboard under the sink wet? If this were caused by a leak, rather than faulty materials, you would, surely, have some evidence inside the cupboard/drawer under the sink.

Perhaps a ‘name and shame’ on t’internet might persuade them to re-assess their position??

 

[TerryL]

Is this related to the other thread you've started about condensation? Looks like the same problem.

 

[GMLS]

You could get a chippie to stick a new layer of laminate on and trim it all with a router. If you remove all the sealant to the back and sides and its nice and square, you should get a really good finish once resealed

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Is this related to the other thread you've started about condensation? Looks like the same problem.

I was thinking the same myself? . Surely if it IS the same problem...there is something seriously wrong with the truck!

Kev

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[The Coops]

Where are you based at the moment? I would photograph and replace the worktop and if in Germany and can find owners of the same model with the same problem look at using the collective problem redress procedure , Its a long time since I used it but of you can find 3 more people with the same problem same age you stand a good chance of winning ( No idea for current situation but used in past)

 

[Keith777]

Poor quality tops or bad plumbing or both, certainly a manufacturers problem