ᐅ IKEA Hammarp countertop crack – what to do?

Hello everyone,

About a month ago, we received our new IKEA kitchen. I assembled it myself and oiled the countertop three times as recommended. However, today my wife pointed out this spot on the countertop that looks like it has cracked, see the pictures.

Is this a material defect or what could cause something like this? What should I do now? Of course, this is the section where both the sink and the cooktop have been cut out, so replacing it won’t be easy.

A little further up, there is a spot that is slightly raised, as if something is stuck underneath.

What’s the best way to repair the countertop? I was thinking of lightly sanding it and then applying another coat of oil. Is that advisable or do you have other suggestions?

Hello Loby,

out of curiosity: was it HAMMARP (solid wood) or Karlby (thick veneer on particleboard)?

Regards,
IKEA-Freund

It is a Hammarp slab, but it cannot be a solid slab because, looking at the picture, the underside does not appear to be solid.

You should have been able to tell from the cutouts for the cooktop and sink whether it is solid wood or veneered particleboard.

It is solid, but that makes the crack all the more surprising because the way the wood has split is very unusual. It didn’t split from top to bottom but rather across the grain. Anyway, I’ve now sanded it down and will oil it again.