Some kitchen and bathroom sinks are coated with a glossy, protective layer of enamel. The enamel finish makes the sink more durable and gives it a beautiful sleek look. Unfortunately, this layer can become damaged over time with cracks and chips.
When the enamel on your sink is peeling or chipping away, it can be an eyesore and leave your sink more vulnerable to damage.
This article discusses what will cause your sink’s enamel to peel away, and offers tips to fix or prevent further damage.
Types Of Enamel Coates Sinks
Sinks with enamel coating are not completely made with enamel. Nothing like that exists. Instead, the enamel is applied to a cast iron or steel surface. This means there are two main types of enamel-coated sinks: cast iron and steel.
Cast iron sinks are made from molten iron that is poured into a mold and then coated with enamel. These sinks are extremely durable and heavy; they are also very resistant to scratches and damage.
Steel sinks, on the other hand, are made from sheet metal that is formed and then coated with enamel. Due to their composition, steel sinks are lighter than cast iron sinks.
Enamel-coated sinks are generally more durable than uncoated sinks, and they are available in a wide range of colors and styles. However, they are also more expensive than uncoated sinks.
Reasons Why The Enamel On Your Sink Is Peeling?
Though durable, enamel can still suffer from wear and tear due to the following reasons.
1. Old Age
The underlying cause of peeling enamel is usually due to age. Sinks made with enamel are designed to last many years, but the material can weaken and wear down over time. Peeling, cracking, and chipping are all signs that your sink’s enamel coat is aging.
Therefore, even if you buy a new enamel-coated sink to install, know that it will not last till eternity.
Though the age of your sink is the primary reason why the enamel may be peeling, other factors could speed up the incidence of that. One such factor is what I will be discussing next.
2. Using Harsh Abrasive Cleaners
Frequent use of cleaning chemicals, especially abrasive cleaners can degrade the enamel coating and cause it to peel.
For your sink to last and look good, you will need to have a maintenance and cleaning culture for them. In cleaning and maintaining the sink, people usually use store-bought cleaning products or homemade cleaners.
Unfortunately, some of these cleaning solutions may be too harsh for the enamel surface and can cause it to peel. This is the same with abrasive scrubbers.
For example, using steel wool for scrubbing the sink will cause scratches and damage to the enamel layer, leading to peeling.
3. Dropping Heavy Objects On The Sink
Anytime there is a heavy impact on your sink, there is a huge chance of the enamel coating being damaged. Just as heavy drops can cause hairline cracks in sinks, they can also cause cracks and chips in the enamel coating of the sink. If these damages are not addressed early enough, the enamel on your sink will start peeling due to oxidation.
4. Pre-owned Sink
Since the main reason why the enamel on your skin is peeling is the fact that it has aged, you would want to be in the know if someone has used the sink before you. If there is a previous owner, it may bring into perspective why your enamel-coated sink is peeling.
The combination of the number of years the enamel-coated sink was used by the previous owner and how long you have used it, may largely inform the decision you take to either fix or replace the sink.
How To Fix A Peeling Enamel-Coated Sink
Fortunately, this issue can be easily addressed with a few simple steps. You have the option of using a professional to fix your sink or doing it yourself. If you prefer the latter, follow these steps.
What You Will Need:
- Sandpaper
- Enamel repair kit
- Small paint brush
- Microfibre cloth
Procedure To Repair A Peeling Enamel-Coated Sink
- Ensure the room with the enamel-coated sink is well-ventilated. Keeping the place well-ventilated will ensure that you do not inhale any particles from the repair work. You can also wear gloves to protect your hands.
- Using paper and tape, cover the faucet of the sink to prevent it from being damaged or ruined.
- Begin fixing the problem by using detergent and a sponge to wash your sink properly. Then rinse and use a dry cloth or towel to wipe the sink. Allow a few minutes to allow the sink to dry completely. This helps give you a clean surface to work on.
- Next, identify the portions of the sink that are peeling and use sandpaper to sand them. This helps smooth the surfaces and prepare them for repairs. Once you are done, just wipe the sink once again to clean off all the particles from sanding.
- In your enamel repair kit, you will find a package of epoxy, read the instruction and mix it accordingly.
- Now, using a small paint brush, apply the epoxy on the portions of the sink you sanded. The small paint brush will make it easier for you to even spread epoxy and properly fill out the portions of the enamel that have peeled off. Then, leave to dry completely according to the drying time stated on the repair kit.
- Apply the glaze that comes with the repair kit. This will give the sink a shiny and new look like the rest of the sink. Note that in the next week or so after this repair, you should never use abrasive cleaners on the sink as it will ruin your hard work.
That is it. You should have your peeling sink looking good as new and you can continue using the sink happily.
I must however state that reglazing a peeling sink is only a temporary solution. The new coating will eventually start peeling off due to wear and tear, and this may be sooner than you think. The fact that the original sink started peeling off after let’s say 7 years doesn’t mean that the new coating on your sink will last that long. It may start peeling off after 1 year or less.
If your enamel-coated sink is peeling because it is too old, you must as well buy a new one if you have the means. Perhaps, you may even want to install a sink that is not enamel-coated. The choice is essentially yours.
How To Prevent Your Sink From Peeling
Age is one of the main reasons why the sink peels and this mostly cannot be controlled. But if you have a new sink, you may want to take some steps that will help extend its life and prevent it from peeling.
Firstly, you need to use cleaning products that are not abrasive when cleaning your sink. Abrasive cleaners contain particles that are too harsh for the coating of your sink.
Secondly, you should avoid dropping heavy items in the sink as this can chip off the enamel coating.
Final Thoughts
Fixing a peeling enamel-coated sink is doable but it still may not last for long. If the sink is too old, you may choose to buy a new one. If not, take some steps to prevent your sink from peeling and extend its life.
Regardless of the type of sink you have, basic maintenance is always necessary to keep it looking nice and operational. With the right care, your sink should last for a long time.
If everything fails, you can always resort to getting a professional’s help. Good luck with fixing your peeling enamel-coated sink.