Need Help! Silicone On Backsplash Turned Yellow

last year

If possible, please do not ignore my question and suggest an expensive, unnecessary change/project.

Context:
This bathroom was remodeled on a budget 2 years ago, which included installing the new bathroom vanity + backsplash. The person we hired used a clear silicone and it’s turned yellow (pretty quickly after the work was done). This bathroom isn’t used often. The guy is able to come back today to either do new silicone or caulk, whichever we want.

Any idea why it turned yellow?
Should we have them do something besides clear silicone?
Where the sidesplash meets the backsplash there is a gap (which the silicone is sitting in)… that’s incorrect, and shouldn’t have been done like that, correct? I’m honestly unsure why they did it…

Featured Answer

millworkman

last year

Have him remove the clear and replace it with white like it should have been from day one.

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Comments (13)

Zach
Original Author
last year
@millworkman, thank you, just plain white or are there various shades and I should try to find one that matches or anything like that?

Not trying to over think it either, just want to avoid redoing it again later…
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PRO
Minardi
last year
last modified: last year
Clean with denatured alcohol after the silicon is removed, and before it is replaced with white. Then never ever use bleach.
dani_m08
last year
last modified: last year
It's odd because I had a contractor who installed a vanity with a similar backsplash (it's real marble - not quartz). He never asked me about installing it or what color to use. He used clear - it's as clear as it was the day it was installed - that was 3 1/2 years ago.

There must be different types of silicone caulk - unless mine hasn't changed colors because the room barely receives any natural light?
Zach
Original Author
last year
Yeah that is odd. The guy who did this says he’s always used crystal clear and never seen this happen. Must have something to do with the quartz top or something…

Thanks for the help and insight!
Zach
Original Author
last year
@Minardi what will happen if we don’t clean with denatured alcohol after removing?

Only asking because I’m unsure if the guy doing this has that, and I’d prob need to run to the store to get it if he doesn’t…
millworkman
last year
" There must be different types of silicone caulk "

Dani, your guy may have used a Water Clear Silicone which is Ultra-clear. OP, possible he used a crap silicone or a cleaner may have effected it. It must be cleaned well or the contaminants will remain if that was the issue and the new silicone may discolor or not adhere properly.
PRO
Minardi
last year
The silicone doesn't like to stick unless the pieces are absolutely fully wiped clean with denatured alcohol. You will end up doing it again as it will end up peeling.
cat_ky
last year
Have him remove the white caulk that is there at the top too, that is not a good job of caulking and looks bad.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Waht do you use to clean with ? Do you have well water that has lots of iron in it those are IMO the first things I would check.
Zach
Original Author
last year
No well water and normal cleaning supplies. It should also be noted that based on my research, this isn’t extremely uncommon and I believe it’s related to the quartz material. No amount of cleaning would impact the coloring, it’s not dirty, just a different color.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I guess one more reason I never use quartz hope you get a solution .
Jenny Erickson
last year
@Minardi what brand do you recommend?