Tile is often used with countertops either on the wall surrounding the counter as a backsplash, or sometimes inlaid into the counter itself. Whenever there is a change in angle from the wall to the counter, or a change in material, such as tile to laminate, the space between the two areas must be caulked with a flexible joint filler to help seal the area and absorb small movements that could damage the tile job. If this gap is oversized, it can still be filled with caulk, but the caulk should be modified with sand, like grout, to help fill the area. Things
You Will Need
- Utility knife
- Sanded caulk, matched to color of grout
- Caulk gun
- Cut the tip off of the tube of caulk with a utility knife. Try to cut off enough tip so that the resulting hole is just slightly smaller than the gap you are filling. If this is not possible due to the gap being larger than the widest spot on the tip, cut to the center of the tip to provide some control over the placement of the caulk.
- Insert the tip of the caulk tube into the caulk gun. Push the plunger on the gun into the back of the tube and squeeze the trigger a few times to prime the tube and help get the caulk up to the tip.
- Insert the tip of the gun into the gap between the counter and the tile in a corner or end of a row. Hold the gun close to upright rather than at an angle. Squeeze the trigger and slowly move the gun along the gap toward the other end of the row. Try to move the gun slowly enough that the resulting bead of caulk completely fills the gap; the faster you go the less caulk will be left behind.
- Wet down your index finger with water and smooth the top of the caulk into place against the tile and the laminate. Let the caulk dry for 24 hours.
Tip
Most grout manufacturers make a matching caulk in both sanded and unsanded varieties. Purchase the matching color caulk to the grout, but get sanded no matter what was used on the tiles. The sand will add bulk to the caulk and help it fill the bigger gap.
Source: HomeGuides.sfgate.com
