A: First off, Sal, you are a lucky contractor to have such an understanding customer. I have had clients that put up a stink because they felt that the color of the caulking was a shade off from the color of the fixture. No matter how I tried to explain that different materials will reflect slightly different colors, it didn't matter; they still complained. So, if you have a customer that is willing to forgive you for dropping a hammer, I would do anything I could to keep that customer!

Another lucky break is that it was not a porcelain or a china sink. Once a fired-clay-based sink is cracked or chipped, usually there is no way to fix it and it will have to be replaced. More good news is that yes, cast iron sinks can be repaired as long as the cast iron frame is not damaged. Chips in cast iron can be filled in with special resins and fillers that can be colored to match the sink and buffed to a smooth finish.

This does two things: First, it restores the sink to a normal-looking finish, and second, it covers and protects the exposed cast iron from rusting. However, this is not a job for the normal homeowner or contractor. Usually this job is done by a professional fixture-repair person that is more of an artist than a service person. If you call your local plumbing supply house they can usually recommend the right person for the job.

Or find the make and model of the fixture, and see if the manufacturer has a service rep in your area that can also make the repair. This is a service that you will have to pay for, since it was not a factory defect.

But, all in all, that was a pretty lucky chip shot you took in the sink. In this case, it sure beats a hole in one.