Do you silicone edges at backsplash?

11 years ago

We just had our kitchen remodeled and the backsplash was just put in. We have beige quartz countertops with a ivory/cream ceramic subway tile type backsplash. The installer put white silicone along the edge of the tile where it meets the countertop and in each corner. I hate it. I was told we needed this for water, but I don't remember ever noticing it in other kitchens. Is this a something that needs to be done? Can I take it out or do anything so it blends in more and it's not so noticeable? I'll attach a few pictures.

Featured Answer

PRO

GoodHouse Flooring LLC

11 years ago

The inside corner where the c top meets the backsplash should be a flexible sealant for water and expansion/contraction. Traditional cementitious grouts will crack there and not remain waterproof.
However....
Using WHITE silicone is totally incorrect and ugly in this particular situation.

Grout manufacturers make specifically grout caulks for this reason. They match the grout used and can be ordered in sanded or non sanded just like the grout in the field of the tile.
If for some reason the grout you purchased doesn't offer a coordinating grout caulk I'm sure you can match up close enough to another manufacturers that it available. Just an FYI depot and lowes all stock various grout caulks in tile aisle.
In your situation, from the photo, the installer could simply use almond silicone or caulk and it would have been much better.
I would have it removed and re sealed with correct color. About 1 hour of work and 10$ in material.

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Comments (17)

Carrie
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you. What about up the corners? I don't see a reason for that, maybe because they will crack as well?
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Tina
11 years ago
Is there not a clear sealant that could of been used?
emilyam819
11 years ago
I used clear silicone.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
All changes of plane should be caulked with a sanded caulk that matches the grout chosen. Cracks will occur where different materials or walls meet.
Carrie
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the help. I went and bought the matching silicone from the grout manufacturer. I bought all the materials and I wish I knew about this before.
PRO
TheGrouStore
10 years ago
Your kitchen turned out beautiful! Yes, you can replace the silicone where it meets your countertop/splash with Epoxy Bond. I do it all the time. Use any color sanded grout for a more professional finish. See what it looks like on one of my blog posts.

https://ceramictilepro.com/blogs/news/87504833-epoxy-bond-works-on-countertops

have some Youtube videos with mixing and applying instructions too!
Carrie
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you Jason, I will have to look into epoxy bond. I know I've heard of it but I don't know much besides the name.

We did have our grout replaced with matching grout and I think it looks great. But the one area I am not satisfied is around the windows. As a professional what do you do around the windows if the backsplash goes around them? It looks weird to me and it even goes around the cabinets. I'll try and post a new pic.
Donna Hurst
10 years ago
I have the same problem where my back splash meets my counters, and though this was really odd. Wish I'd known about this before my contractor started grouting the tile. Looks like another DIY project for this spring.
PRO
TheGrouStore
10 years ago
Epoxy Bond works very well for areas where tile/grout meets wood such as your window. Just scrape and clean the existing grout/caulk, and apply. super easy and have Youtube videos to help with repairs such as this :)
User
10 years ago
I think the tile height is right. It's actually level with the bottom of the cabinets from what I can tell and that's normal as is the window. The under cabinet molding comes down lower and it gives the appearance that tile is wrapping the actual cabinets. Not very detailed cutting around the moldings though. Need some new caulking though..Those color matched acrylic caulks need to be addressed every couple of years if you're lucky. They're not as flexible as one would wish.
PRO
TheGrouStore
10 years ago
care76, looking at the pic where the tile meets the wood trim at your upper cabinet, I am asking myself why didn't the tile guy cut the wood trim to allow the tile to "tuck into the trim" and have the wood "finish to the tile". Hope that makes sense. - jason
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
That's a good idea. Maybe some careful cutting and slide the tile right up. To be fair, some tile guys aren't to be expected to be doing detailed cutting on wood. If that's a solid maple molding, you're talking some decent wood skills to cut that while the molding is in place.The wood could turn out bad and you'd have a different aesthetic issue. I'm betting the tile cut on the other side of that molding doesn't look much better either. White caulk? UGH...
Carrie
Original Author
10 years ago
I know exactly what you mean. Similar to cutting the door jams so the floor can go underneath instead of cutting the floor.

The guy we had install the tile is the only non kitchen person we used. He normally does flooring/bathroom and he's a good friend of the family. So I'm sure he wasn't comfortable cutting the maple (yes it's solid wood not mdf).

I'll probably eventually redo around the windows with that epoxy stuff. After watching lots of videos lol.

Thanks so much for all the tips!
Carrie
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh and the silicone is fixed, it's no longer white. I just bought everything for the backsplash myself and asked the guy at the store what I needed. He never said anything about caulking or silicone so I didn't buy any. the guy doing it just used what he had instead of stopping and asking me. I guess that doesn't bother some people. My husband thought I was crazy when I said it looked horrible with the white. I just shook my head.
simmslove
8 years ago
Hello! we just installed this marble-brick herringbone tile backsplash in the kitchen and use non sanded grout, as recommended. Then for the caulking where the countertop meets the backsplash we used, as shown in the picture, this ceramic tile caulk by polyblend.. Does this have to be now sealed with silicone? As the label does not suggest anything about it being waterproof, it actually states do not use an area with a constant water exposure.. It's behind my sink! it has a sandy type texture and I'm concerned that the water will penetrate it.. so what would be the advisable solution?
simmslove
8 years ago
Sorry wrong thread :(