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lovlilynne

Caulking the countertops?

lovlilynne
14 years ago

Soapstone was installed today (yea!!!), but *after* they left, I noticed that they didn't caulk between the countertops and the wall (I'm not having a backsplash). I'll call M. Tex tomorrow, but I assume that this is our responsibility? (at least, it certainly is now). I can't wait to have that conversation with contractor.

Anyway, has anyone done this? It it as simple as applying the bead of caulk, following the caulk directions, etc.?

TIA,

Lynne

Comments (17)

  • billandterry
    14 years ago

    It really is not that bad. If you have a sample of your counter top take it to the store with you to buy the caulk. I went to lowes and purchased a paintable caulk and a caulking kit and followed the instructions. It was really easy.
    You can also ask one of the guys to explain how to use the scrapers but once you see them you will totally understand.

    Good luck

  • Buehl
    14 years ago

    Yes, it should be the coutertop installer's task, at least it is around us. Our installer forgot one wall and rather than call them back, we had our new general contractor do it...and they did a much better job than the countertop people!

  • Stacey Collins
    14 years ago

    Our installers did not caulk, but they did ask me if we we were tiling to the counter (we are) and I assume they figured it would get caulked after tiling.

    Are you tiling the backsplash? I guess it's possible that caulking beforehand would interfere with the bottom row of tile. However, I am having such a hard time choosing my tile -I know it'll be months before that's in- so I am going to run a small bead of caulk behind the sink, just to keep splashes out of the base cabs.

    But- as far as DIY level of caulking: its easy! You might want to practice on some cardboard so you get the idea how much pressure you need to run a nice clean bead. But it's easy to tool with a wet finger if it's not totally smooth.

  • lovlilynne
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Is there any restrictions on what kind of caulk? What color should I get? Or should it be clear? Billandterry, you mention paintable - but I wouldn't be painting this. I thought I had read here someone saying not to get clear because it yellows.

    TIA,

    Lynne

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago

    Lovlilynne-

    check with your Fabricator and look over your contract language - they may
    have forgotten to caulk if it was specified in your contract with them.

    If not, and you are the caulk guy - I'd use an accrylic type of caulk that IS
    paintable - as silicone is not, and you may regret this down the road.

    This is not a big deal if you have to do the caulking - just use some
    3M Blue Tape and mask everything off first, then squirt the caulk in, wipe
    down with a wet sponge, then pull the tape off and your done!!!

    Easy Peasey!!!

    HTH

    kevin

  • lovlilynne
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Yes, my installer was supposed to do that, but given that they are 4.5 hours away, I doubt that they are going to come back to do it. I asked my contractor (in a note) if he would do it, and he still hasn't responded, so I'm guessing it's on my dime. I bought black caulk already, but I was checking to see if that's what I really needed to use.

    Ok, so taping off everything does not sound "easy peasey" to me. It actually sounds like a 15 minute job just turned into a 2 hour job (masking both sides of the joint??).

    Why would I ever want to paint my countertops (soap stone)? I must be missing something.

    Lynne

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago

    Lynne-

    the reason that people WANT paintable caulk, is so that IF you decide
    to paint the area above the splash you can, and paint the caulk joint too.

    Remember tha you have Soapstone - which is a soft and porous material -
    IF you get any caulk residue on the stone - it may show and be difficult to
    remove after you (or the Fabricator) are done doing the actual caulking process.

    As far as masking off the joint prior to applying the caulk - just run a band
    of tape above where the joint is, and another below on the soapstone. Rub
    the tape so it bonds well to both surfaces, then apply the caulk.

    once the bead of caulk is in the joint, "strike" or "draw" over in with a finger
    or wet sponge - this will give you a nice - smooth finish. When you're happy
    with the look of the caulk, it will start to "skin over" as it dries - you'll need to
    pull off both strips of tape PRIOR to the caulk starting to skin over, but trust me
    this is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, and Yes, it IS "Easy Peasey".........

    I'll see about posting a podcast on how to do this on www.naturalstone101.com
    for folks to use as a guide..... sometimes it's way easier if a person "sees it"
    rather than just reads about it......

    hope that puts your mind at ease... just tryin to help ya!

    kevin

    Here is a link that might be useful: Natural Stone 101's website

  • weedmeister
    14 years ago

    You may not paint your countertop, but you may paint the wall behind it.

    Pick a color that matches either the soapstone or the wall. (I would pick the soapstone color.) If you use your finger to smooth it down, keep your finger wet (water) so the stuff doesn't stick so much.

  • sfcitydweller
    14 years ago

    lovlilynne-

    I work for a caulking company, I know strange occupation. I agree you should use paintable, in case you decided to paint the wall behind the soapstone. However, make sure you pick a high grade latex and not the cheapest white caulk available, this will prevent cracking and having to caulk in the future.

    If you decided to go clear, latex caulk dries a cloudy clear and the only true clear is Lexel, which is paintable. If you are going white I would use Big Stretch. The website for both is below!

    Cheers!
    SF

    Here is a link that might be useful: Sashco Products

  • nursetammi
    14 years ago

    Quick question. Do you caulk where in my case the granite butts up to wood? My installer did not caulk there but everywhere else.

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago

    We caulk wherever the stone butts up to a wood structure, as wood and stone
    will expand and contract at different rates. Especially here in Arizona, the wood
    at certain times of the year will be tight up against the stone, and then at
    other times - that same wood will shrink up and there'll be a gap between
    the stone and the wood - so the caulk helps to eliminate that issue.

    It's a personal prefence, but in 99.999% of the time we'll caulk it and never
    have a call back or a problem - happy customers make for sleep filled nights
    at my house!!!

    HTH

    kevin

  • nursetammi
    14 years ago

    Thanks Kevin,
    Do you caulk with clear when you are caulking granite to wood. Both my granite installer and my builder both said they would not put anything there.

  • azstoneconsulting
    14 years ago

    We'll use clear most of the time - but every now and then, we'll get
    a client that wants a color...... Either way - we DO caulk

  • sfcitydweller
    14 years ago

    Be careful with what caulk you use on Stone, because certain types of Silicone will etch the stone. Acetoxy silicone will definitely hurt your stone.

  • lovlilynne
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Ok, so I already painted the wall behind the soapstone, so would this be when/if I ever decided to change the color of paint? The reason I ask is that I don't want to have to paint the caulk now since I already painted the walls, and I don't want a big strip of white caulk if I don't have to. I'm thinking the black is the way to go???

    I bought whatever Lowe's had, but certainly I could return it. They didn't have much choice in brands at all.

    Here's my thing about the taping - I'm the worlds slowest taper. I cannot tape a straight line to save my life. I just painted my whole kitchen, dining room, and 1 living room wall without taping one thing - I rather cut in than tape :-) I don't have a lot of linear feet - maybe 12? - but x2 for each side is 24' and it will take me at least an hour to get tape on each side nice and straight and an even amount apart - which is the goal, right? To have it be a perfect bead of caulk?

    Lynne

  • rubyfig
    14 years ago

    Lynne,

    The clear will pick up the color of the SS and not show as much as the black. I have used Lexel and it is, by far, my favorite caulk (did I really type that?).

    Use the tape, but don't drive yourself nuts (If you pull off a big section, "stretch" it out and then lay it down, that will give you a pretty straight line). This is cleaner than trying to "smooth" a straight line with your finger.