Seasonal changes open-up gaps between counters and backsplashes or cabinets and walls. Caulking is often the go-to remedy, but frustratingly, the caulking may split or pull away within a year. Fortunately there is an easy solution- only caulk when the gap is widest!

Why? Well, most caulks (especially old beads) cannot stretch more than about 20% of its length before failing. So, if the seasonal gap grows by as little as an 1/8”, the caulk bead would have to be more than a half inch wide to stretch without tearing! But caulking can compress without damage. I caulk in whatever season opens the gap the widest; in the opposite season it will compress and bulge out slightly, but not fail.

More details in this blog posting https://genuineideas.com/ArticlesIndex/caulk.html