skip to main content

Sad backsplash help needed

13 years ago

Our backsplash was completed on Friday. We immediately knew there was a problem as our tile guy pointed it out to us, and was totally apologetic about it. He got smears of clear silicone caulk on the soapstone-not everywhere, but all along the longest perimeter edge. Where it's just the smear, with no actual caulk left, I can sand it out. But where it's caulk, we're stuck.

So-all you tile/soapstone helpers, can one remove caulk (without wrecking the soapstone or the tile), and then redo it (after I've sanded the "smears")?

I tried to be upbeat and just cleaned yesterday, but that's not cutting it today. Both DH and I are pretty upset; the soapstone has been our "baby" in the remodel.

Here's what it looks like:

And here's where he got it right:

Oh-and we have wanted to leave it unoiled as long as possible. Obviously oiling would solve the "problem".

Any ideas? TIA

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

pricklypearcactus
13 years ago
Do you have any scrap soapstone samples? There are chemicals that can be used to remove caulk. (They can be purchased from the big box stores - Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) If you have some scraps, you could test the products on them first and see if you could simply use the chemicals to remove the caulk.

You might also be able to use a razor blade to scrape off the excess. And then use your sanding technique to remove the rest.

If you do re-caulk, you need to remove everything. Caulk does not stick to caulk so you want a clean joint to redo. When you do redo the caulk, make certain to mask the area to protect your countertop. You'll want to remove the masking as the caulk is wet or sometimes it pulls the caulk and makes the caulk edge jagged.

(Disclaimer: I do not have soapstone. Nor have I ever caulked soapstone. However, I have caulked other materials and I always mask first to prevent smearing. I find caulking to be messy business.)
shaughnn
13 years ago
Hello Tia,
Contact your soapstone supplier to confirm this but I don't recommend you use any of the "silicone remover" solvents available. These will break down the silicone and allow the silicone to pass deeper into the stone. A poultice *might* draw the stain out of the stone, but that's a longshot and I'd consult with the very fine folks over at StoneAdvice.Com on this one. It's a discussion forum much like the John Bridge Tile Forum, but for stone fabricators.
Best of luck,
Shaughnn

Here is a link that might be useful: Stone Advice Forum
Related Discussions
Oh my, sad backsplash story.
Q
Comments (9)
There is another thread that may have some helpful information. I am not savvy enough to post the link, but the title is: diy venatino marble backsplash done - pics. Here is what jalsy6 said about his installation: I did seal it once before grouting. Then it said to seal it once after about a month...I still have that to do. I had kind of a panic attack when I was installing it, as I didn't realize that when the back of the tile comes in contact with the wet thinset it makes the marble look SOOO weird and splotchy! Luckily I did some harried research on the web, and it is normal, and once the thinset dried it looked fine. Just an fyi if you use these tiles. Make sure you use thinset for marble, not mastic.
...See More
Backsplash Help...small SS backsplash??? Pics?
Q
Comments (8)
Thanks prill...I'm leaning towards only doing tile in area to the left of the casing...then in the window area just doing paint and the casing down to the counter. I guess I'll just have to be more dilligent with cleaning. The Reef was the first tile that spoke to me...I really thought I was going to go for a more solid blue, but reef is so much softer....it allows me to play up the color of the walls more...not that I have a lot of walls...And, I found out that my designer can get it for about 12.50/sf where I was quoted around $15/sf.
...See More
Help! Will this back-splash work?
Q
Comments (18)
If your choice were only between to 2 you originally posted, I'd choose the one on the right--the cream one. From the photos it looks like it works very well with your quartzite. The gray one is "off" just enough not to look pleasing. However, as many have noted, either one is more difficult to clean than a smooth surface. What sort of cook are you--very neat or more devil-may-care? If you are very neat and do not splash much when you cook, then you may get away with the split-faced marble, but if you are a more exuberant cook, you may find it a challenge to clean. The mother of pearl is very formal and quite busy, so it's going to compete with the counter tops as well. Personally, I would use a smooth crackle tile in a tan/beige tone to work with your quartzite. Simple is always good.
...See More
Help with Back-splash
Q
Comments (3)
OH BOY. I'm sorry I know you must be unraveled, but realistically it looks more like the counters dont go with your kitchen as they are brown tones and everything else looks black white and gray. Why did you leave the granite backsplash up? that would help minimize it a bit I think.. We need to see the whole room.
...See More
leela4
Original Author
13 years ago
prickly-I did google silicone caulk removal and came up with suggestions similar to your. Thanks.

Shaughnn-Almost the first thing I did (after "almost" crying) was to contact our soapstone fabricator. They did such an awesome job for us (you can see their silicone caulk joint in the 3rd picture above along the cherry panel). He also suggested a poultice.
I will also check into the StoneAdvice Forum-I'd forgotten about them. Thanks to you as well.
Lee
bmorepanic
13 years ago
Razor first. Single-bladed, held in your hand and scrape everywhere you see darkness.

They have an all-natural caulk remover at the Home Depot (near the paint removers) that works pretty well. It doesn't liquefy the silicon, it helps break the bonds holding it to the surface. I had very good success by razoring off what could be razored, applying the remover, waiting a few minutes and washing with a scrubby.

Soapstone is pretty impervious to chemicals. but do try a dab if you have any scrap at all or in an inconspicuous place.

Get the color-matched caulk for your grout and use it instead of silicon.
gorillakilla
13 years ago
Straight razor to remove the adhesive on top then sand the rest.

The beauty of soapstone is its dosent abosrb anything and is chemical resistant.

dont worry, easy fix
Michael Murray
3 years ago
A reply for future soapstone lovers facing the same challenge. Scrape off the excess with a razor blade. Hold it on a nearly level horizontal angle. If needed, push blade down vertically and gently at the point between the silicone you want to keep and the smear you wish to remove. Then continue with the horizontal scraping. I have personally fabricated and installed over 100 sqft of soapstone in my home and have used silicone for 2 decades as well. Not that it helps, but I’m shocked that your tile contractor didn’t/couldn’t resolve this.

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

KITCHEN DESIGN Design Dilemma: My Kitchen Needs Help!

By KitchenLab Interiors

See how you can update a kitchen with new countertops, light fixtures, paint and hardware

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight

By Mitchell Parker

In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better

REMODELING GUIDES Wisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey

DECORATING GUIDES Slow Design: Today's 'Wabi-Sabi' Helps Us Savor the Moment

By Robyn Lawrence

Learn about the design movement that's aiming to satisfy our real needs, leaving materialism in the past

ORGANIZING 7 Habits to Help a Tidy Closet Stay That Way

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Cut the closet clutter for a lifetime — and save money too — by learning how to bring home only clothes you love and need

DECORATING GUIDES Interiors Need Energy? Look to Mondrian’s Paintings for Inspiration

By Karen Egly-Thompson

The Dutch master of abstraction can help you return to basic colors, create zones, highlight function and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

Nuage Quartzite - any water issues?

12

hello , what are your thoughts on two tone countertops?

5

kitchen countertops

2

Need help with kitchen remodel

1

Kitchen remodel in my future

0