Performance Standard: Counter tops shall be no more than 1/4 inch in 12 feet out of parallel with the floor. If the floor is not level, the counter top may be installed proportionately out of level.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will make necessary adjustments to meet the performance standard.
Discussion: This defect can be functionally bothersome since liquids spilled on top will flow to a lower point. Counter tops are almost always on a plane parallel to the floor and ceiling because the cabinets supporting the top are exactly the same height. Shimming and leveling the tops when the floor is out of level can be time-consuming and expensive, and the difference between the lines of the floor and the tops may be aesthetically unacceptable to the owner. Prior to construction, the remodeler should explain the problem and allow the owner to decide between tops that are out of level or not parallel to the floor.