About Stainless Steel:
What type of stainless steel does TopZero use?
All TopZero Stainless Steel Sinks are manufactured with top-grade stainless steel that is non‐porous, hygienic, rust-free, and extremely durable. It’s premium 304 series stainless steel.
What kind of accessories can I use with my stainless steel sink?
TopZero offers a wide range of custom-fit cutting boards, colanders, and stainless steel grids or rinsing baskets to protect the bottom of your stainless steel. DO NOT USE RUBBER COATED MATS, discoloration of the sink may occur after prolonged use. As well as wet sponges or cleaning materials left on the sink surface for long periods of time could stain the sink.
What is the finished surface of the TopZero Sinks?
All TopZero kitchen sinks sold in the North American market have a Soft Satin Brushed Finish.
What exactly does Chrome–Nickel content mean?
It is the percentage of Chrome and Nickel in the Stainless Steel. Chrome gives Stainless Steel luster and durability while Nickel provides hardness and strength. TopZero Sinks are 18/10 which is 18% Chromium and 10% Nickel.
Why should I dry my stainless steel after rinsing?
This is standard practice for all Stainless Steel Sinks. Unless distilled water is used, water from your faucet will have minerals and salts. As water evaporates trace minerals and salts are left behind, similar to what could happen on the surface of your car if not dried after cleaning. If you dry your sink after using it, hard water spot deposits are not left behind. If necessary white vinegar can be used to remove hard water deposits, rinse and dry your sink after spots are removed.
What chemicals are bad to use or get on the surface of a Stainless Steel Sink?
Construction chemicals, solvents, and many household cleaners contain chlorides and acids which can react with and damage stainless steel. Chlorine bleach or products containing Chloride as many household cleaners do contain Chloride can stain/corrode any stainless steel sink of any manufacturer. Muriatic acid is used by tile installers or tile cleaners and should not come in contact with a stainless steel sink. Plumbing PVC adhesive or solvents should not be on stainless steel surfaces. If a dangerous chemical does get on the sink surface you need to wash and rinse thoroughly with water and DRY THOROUGHLY with a clean towel or paper towels.
Does Stainless Steel rust?
Stainless Steel actually DOES NOT RUST although rust can form on the surface of any High Quality Stainless Steel and appearing on the surface only as orange or red rust marks. This surface discoloring can be traced back to one or a combination of three typical sources.
(1) Steel wool pads used for cleaning.
(2) Tin-coated steel cans or cast iron pots left in the sink while wet.
(3) Iron deposits found left behind from tap water.
Note: The rust stains are deposits on the surface only and can be remedied by scrubbing with a mild cleanser TAKING CARE TO SCRUB IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE FINISH SURFACE GRAIN of the sink surfaces.
What are the stains or residue at the bottom of my Stainless Steel Sink?
Multicolored stains or residue appearing on the bottom of sinks are again mainly traced back to minerals contained in water or salts from water softeners. These surface stains can be removed as described above in water deposits and surface rust spots or a STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER can be used as well. TAKING CARE ONCE AGAIN TO ALWAYS CLEAN with the GRAIN of the FINISH and to rinse and DRY to complete any cleaning process.
A magnet should not stick to stainless steel, I tried this, and a magnet stuck to my sink. Why is that?
All stainless steel metals have very low magnetic properties and should have no or little response to a magnet. However, Type 304 Stainless after substantial cold working, drawn, or heavy polishing could then have a magnetic response. All Luxe Series models are drawn sinks and could have a magnetic response.
About Installation:
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU WATCH ALL THE INSTALLATION VIDEOS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON www.TopZero.com or also available on YOUTUBE video as well as reading the TopZero Installation Manual on our website prior to the first TopZero sink installation.
Which countertop surfaces can TopZero sinks be installed?
The seamless-look TopZero sinks can be successfully installed in virtually any solid surface such as granite, marble, engineered quartz countertops, wood butcher block as well as engineered solid surfaces including porcelain slab or honeycomb/veneered natural stones.
Is a precise sink cut necessary or is a CNC or Waterjet equipment required?
TopZero seamless sink cutout shall be as precise as possible for the best look. Please follow the instructions on the installation videos and installation manual under the support link at topzero.com
Are DXF files available for automated systems?
DXF files are available to download from our website.
Support > Installation Support > Technical drawings.
[DXF drawings are meant to be guidelines and must be compared with the actual products which should always be present to ensure a perfect cut.]
Testing on a scrap piece before the final cut is always recommended.
TOPZERO IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY IMPROPERLY CUT COUNTERTOP OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION.
Does the TopZero Sink installation require shop installation or is onsite installation also possible?
The TopZero seamless sink installation can be performed successfully in a fabrication shop when project circumstances allow or in the field when required. The sink cutout can always be accomplished in a shop atmosphere and checking the cut out with a dry run pre-fitting of the sink before sending it to the field installation. By utilizing the TopZero engineered mounting brackets, along with mechanical fasteners to secure the sink in place during the acrylic applications both under and feathered and or knifed in on the top rim edge of the sink placed approximately 1/8” below the TopZero edge of the countertop sink cut out. Epoxy used on the top edges needs time to set prior to the final finishing of the edges and this time can be used while progressing in other areas of the project or returning for the final touches of the TopZero edge.
Can TopZero sinks be installed on any thickness of the solid surface?
Currently, the welded sink brackets are set 3cm (1 ¼”) below the top rim of the sink or also there is a custom-designed Spacer Conversion available that will convert the 3cm model sinks to 2cm or 1.2 cm if needed. Fine adjustments of the rim of the sink to the countertop cutout can also be made by utilizing the center hole of brackets with anchor holes under the countertop material and mechanical screws with wing nuts. This system or “shimming” will allow adjustments to any countertop cutout height requirements or material thickness variances prior to the top and bottom epoxies setting up. IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW YOUR COUNTERTOP MATERIAL THICKNESS PRIOR TO PLACING A TOPZERO SINK ORDER.
I Love the look but what stops the water from penetrating?
The hairline voids between the countertop material and the top rim of the sink are filled with a non-sagging acrylic that sets up and cures watertight and non-porous. The same process is applied for any countertop seams, mitered edge overhangs, waterfall applications, etc. We have been rigorously testing our seamless design installations and the TopZero edge stays watertight without exception if adhering to all recommendations on our INSTALLATION VIDEOS. The hygiene aspect of the TopZero sink is always superior compared to both top-mount and under-mount sinks.
Is TopZero sink installation costly compared with an undermount sink installation, what are the main differences?
TopZero seamless sink is an upgraded look to the under mount sinks, and could require more time to install. The fabricator could charge more for the sleek appearance and superior hygiene you will receive from this new innovative sink.
Are there any Certified TopZero Fabricators available for my TopZero sink installation?
While installation of a TopZero sink can be easy for an experienced fabricator who will pay attention to all the important details in a TopZero sink installation, we are certifying fabricators who have installed and adhered to the TopZero recommended installation process. Check our website www.topzero.com or any of our exclusive distributor websites for fabricators in your area. Of course, you can always use your favorite fabricator of choice and we can certify them upon your beautifully completed installation.
Does a fabricator need to use a specific brand of acrylic products?
TopZero highly recommends 10/1 non-sag seaming acrylic adhesive, which is also recommended by porcelain / quartz countertop manufacturers for countertop fabrications.
Can my existing undermount sink be replaced with the new TopZero sink?
It is possible to replace your existing undermount sink with a seamless TopZero sink. Of course dimensions need to be worked out and if cutting is required, which most likely will occur, it would need to be determined as to which would be the best way and place to perform the cutting. Nothing is impossible if all the details are worked out in advance and are acceptable to all parties involved.
TopZero retrofit applications are done on-site daily, by independent TopZero installers such as changeyoursink.com
If I notice damage on an installed TopZero Sink, what should I do?
Seamless installation requires a meticulous job in which the fabricator should pay close attention to every detail including inspection of the sink prior to the installation and protection of the sink from damage during the installation. Keeping in mind once a TopZero sink is integrated into a solid surface countertop with the epoxies used it is meant to be a permanent serviceable fixture. Triple-check your sink purchase prior to installation for defects. TopZero will accept no liability of replacement for damaged or defective sinks AFTER INSTALLATION.
Can you rely on an acrylic adhesive bond only or is the mechanical screw method required as well?
Acrylic adhesive bond is ultimately as strong and the solid surface it is adhering to and highly unlikely to break the bond. However, mechanical screws are to be installed for a strong support.
Comparing the undermount countertop edge chipping potential does TopZero Seamless Installation have any advantage against potential edge chipping?
Edge chipping around the sink hole is a potential problem for any undermount sink application and actually could be less for the TopZero Seamless installation because the edges are reinforced with the acrylic bonded stainless steel walls almost flush with the surface of the countertop material. Another advantage of the TopZero Seamless sink installation.
With the increased use of 12mm porcelain countertops, Porcelain manufacturers recommend TopZero Sinks to minimize the edge chipping on the sink cutout holes.
Are there any different seamless edge options around the sink?
Installation adjustments can be made up or down to allow a finer or thicker countertop edge at the sink rim. For example the sink rim set further down from the countertop surface edge could allow for a slight beveled edge or a larger round down edge to the rim of the TopZero sink edge. We recommend the sink rim be 1/8” below the surface edge. A personal preference and or fabricator recommendation should be considered for this type of decision.