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What caulk for counter-to-backsplash?

9 years ago

The countertop is quartz and the backsplash is tile. Both installed in 2011.

The caulk is ProSpec Tile and Grout Caulk. The caulk is cracking. The caulk sticks to the quartz and to the tile. The house is 35 years old, so I doubt if the problem is the house settling.

So far, the caulk has been replaced and/or refilled twice. That is, the first replacement involved digging out the old caulk and refilling. The last time I just refilled and "pushed" the new caulking in the existing caulk.

What should I use and do?

Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

Cabot & Rowe

9 years ago

www.ColorRiteInc.com has 100% silicone and latex caulking in sanded, unsanded, shiny and matte in over 300 grout matching colors. We always use 100% silicone as it never molds

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Comments (9)

PRO
Precision Carpentry
9 years ago
I like DAP Dynaflex 230.It stays flexible.
mike_kaiser_gw
9 years ago
You should definitely remove the old caulk regardless of what new caulk you use. I'd go with a silicone caulk. If you need more colors, Laticrete offers about 20 colors to match their grouts. The stuff isn't cheap though.
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It may be that the person installing the counters is worried about a good tight fit against all the walls where counters will run. If your walls are not flat and straight, the installers can cover a pretty good sized gap with that thick strip of countertop material laid a few inches up the wall ( the older style installations). But with good modern templating, you should expect a good fit even if your walls are a little bit off, then the tile can come right down to the counter and still meet with a small caulk joint at the change of plane. Perhaps you can ask them if they're worried about uneven walls, or you can take a yardstick to them yourself to see how they look. If it were my kitchen I'd certainly want the newer style installation.
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You absolutely don't want grout there for a reason - when the plane shifts and expands, as it will, grout would crack open. That's why you use a colored silicon caulk that matches your grout (all grout companies make it). Don't use grout and cover it with caulk as this defeats the purpose and you'll just have a caulk-coated crack. Hang the bottom row of tile the same distance above the counter as your grout joints, and that joint will just look like another grout line: I'd agree re. the quarter-round trim - I'd fear wood would get wet too often in that area, discolor and ultimately rot away, or else hide wipedown crud underneath it as it loosens over time. :-/
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Here's my thread, for when I was searching. Hags00 provided the best link for caulk. Your kitchen is just amazing, I love seeing your pictures! Do you happen to have any backsplash shots handy, or are you saving for a reveal? Best of luck, oldbat2be Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: Caulking today, need color advice
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Found the right search: "tile backsplash granite counter" and sure enough many people have asked. Here's one: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2696049/3-granite-backsplash-needed-if-plan-to-tile-backsplash-kitchen?n=5 Takeaway is that it is definitely not necessary and the majority of people don't like it with the extra granite piece. Someone observed that this probably ends up this way most often when the tile was added later over the original granite backsplash.
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PRO
Precision Carpentry
9 years ago
Cabot & Rowe probably has a better solution even if it is 90% spam.I like the Dynaflex where the colors will work but they are limited and you can buy it locally.
canishel
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks to all of you.

The current caulk is acrylic that has been "siliconized". So I'll look locally first (for color) to see which of your suggestions is available here.
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
9 years ago
SIliconized isn't the same, not nearly. Latex will catch and hold more dirt. Use only the 100% silicone.
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
9 years ago
@ Precision, yeah that does sound kindah spammy
bgeery
9 years ago
I hate silicone caulking. The stuff fails without being noticeable, a it's basically impossible to remove completely, to reapply next time.
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
100% pure silicone, first use a denatured alcohol to clean and prep.

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