How to Salvage a Scorched Formica Countertop

The kitchen area is a focal point of the home and is the common area where both family and guests congregate for conversation, good food and fellowship. No matter how one tries to direct everyone to the living/dining room area, it seems inevitable that everyone ends up in the kitchen. Home decorators have noted this trend and kitchens now have an inviting appearance combined with beauty and functionality. Counter tops are an important and necessary feature in every kitchen. Formica is a popular countertop material; it is easy to keep clean and wears well under continuous use. When the inevitable happens and the countertop is damaged by a hot pot placed on its surface, replacing the damaged section or the entire countertop can be expensive.

To avoid a costly repair, a decorative trivet or place mat strategically placed over the damaged area can be used as a temporary cover up to conceal the damage. To help you stay within your budget, we recommend this repair project that is light on your wallet and does not require endless hours to complete. Carefully measure the burned area and then square off the area. In other words, if the pot has left a circular burn mark, measure around the circle and square off the irregular edges. It makes for an easier method of repair. Once repaired, you now have a permanent hot plate installed on your formica countertop. All hot dishes and pots can be placed on this designated hotplate area and future damage from excessively hot items is ingeniously avoided.

Materials needed
A square tile to set in the damaged area. Suggested sizes are a 4x4 , 8x8 tile or whatever size is needed to cover the damaged area.
Utility knife
Ceramic tile glue
Measuring tape
These materials can be readily purchased in a local hardware store or hardware departments of large retail home decorating stores.

Prepare the surface.
Thoroughly clean the damaged area and allow it to dry completely. Select the size tile needed to set inside the damaged counter surface.

Suggestions

The tile can be inexpensively purchased at large retail chain stores or local hardware stores in the "do it yourself" or home improvement section. Often, there are remnant pieces or odd lot stock available in every imaginable decorative style. Purchasing the exact style and color you desire for your repair job should be easy to accomplish. Be sure to consider any discontinued styles that are available for further cost savings.
To avoid the frustration of purchasing the wrong size tile for your project, be sure to measure twice.

Instructions to inlay the tile

Lay the tile carefully on its face (cushion it by placing it on a soft towel or cloth) and apply the ceramic glue adhesive to the back of the tile.
Press the tile into the prepared area of the counter
Firmly press down the tile; gently remove any excess glue residue from the tile
Allow the tile dry for two days. If desired, apply colored grout around the edges to fill in any spaces to match the tile or countertop.

The scorched/damaged area of the countertop is now repaired and as good as new. The repair cost is considerably less expensive than replacing the entire countertop. A damaged countertop is salvaged and the installed tile now serves as a permanent hot plate. You now have an area that can be used to place hot pots and pans. This project is simple, easy on the wallet and with the money saved you can now invite friends once again into your kitchen for a time of good food and fellowship amidst a shower of compliments acknowledging your do it yourself kitchen decorating skills.