I recently hired someone to install a ceramic tile backsplash in my kitchen. I suggested that he leave a 1/16″ gap between the tile and the counter without grout. My thinking was that I could caulk this joint so that any movement in the countertop would not crack the grout. He talked me out of it and grouted all the way down to the counter. Two weeks later it is cracking on this joint slightly. I am going to clean this up as best I can and then caulk the joint over the grout that remains.
I have not sealed the grout yet and need to know if I should caulk before or after I seal the grout. If I seal before the caulk, will it stick properly? If I caulk first, could water get in there anyway and then mildew? Was my original idea a good one about leaving a gap for caulk only?
Thanks for your help.
Replies
the tile installer was right, grout between a c'top and tile backsplash cannot be grouted, it wont work period
after grouting the seam between the tile and top must be caulked either with silicon or acrlic latex
before or after sealing doesnt matter
caulking is not a piece of trim
re-read Steve. (but ya got the answer right)
(unless I got this backwards)
The installed grouted the tile to the countertop.....the HO wanted it open.
HO was right.
only tile to tile get grout.
even corners should get matching grout caulk
and all dissimilar material joints should get matching grout caulk....
as in .....tile to counter top.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite