How do I fix this kitchen counter..


  #1  
Old 12-05-19, 07:11 PM
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How do I fix this kitchen counter..

hi Guys,

I bought a home and i see that the kitchen counter has large gaps where it joins with molding and wall tile.. do I need grouting? caulking or jb weld?

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Last edited by PJmax; 12-05-19 at 08:00 PM. Reason: reoriented/resized pictures
  #2  
Old 12-06-19, 03:59 AM
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A color matching caulk would be the easiest fix. You'd want to clean the gap some prior to applying the caulk.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 07:01 AM
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Is that edge wood? Is it loose? If so, it would need to be refastened before you attempted anything! Looks like poor carpentry as those pieces on the corner aren't miterered and so they will never match up. Not sure if that's even worth saving.


And in your last pic it looks like that last backsplash tile came off the wall in the past and was just glued onto the wall with construction adhesive... It doesnt appear to be flush with the adjacent tile, it looks like it's been pushed back too far. It would need to be removed, set correctly, old loose grout removed from all edges and then regrout with the colored black grout.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 08:45 AM
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Thanks! that is what it is.
Wood trim on tile. Which is now loose/falling apart.

So i will try to caulk it ? Or grout it? What is the difference.?( when to use which?). for now.

Not sure where will i find same color/texture /size tile.

The home inspector didnt even mention it on the report.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 08:58 AM
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Caulk comes in a tube and will remain flexible after curing. It's good to use where two tile surfaces meet at a 90° angle and where tile meets a different material like wood. It's not as durable as grout so you wouldn't caulk between all tiles. Just use it in areas where grout cracking might be an issue.

Grout is a cement based product and like concrete when it cures it's hard and brittle. Used anywhere there is the slightest movement and it will crack. It can be very durable and can be walked on and scrubbed without damage so it's used between most tile.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 09:11 AM
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First I would fix the trim.
The times are probably mounter in 3/4 inch plywood though the trim does not look wide enough so it may be on thinner material. You have to find out what it is mounted on.
Then clean out any dirt/grout between it and the tiles,
Then glue it in place.
I would use mall countersunk screws to hold it.
Then fill the screws and repaint the trim.
Might be easier just to replace the trim.

The counter top looks to me as if it has pulled away from the wall.
So you will have to determine if I or XSleeper are correct before proceeding.

Calk is use to seal areas for water like showers, bathtubs windows etc.
Grout is used to fill the spaces between tiles, it is sort of like a very fine cement.

Not sure why you mentioned tile color and size as you do not show any damaged tiles.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 09:42 AM
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Thank you.

I mentioned tile color etc. B/c if it was glued to wall too deep as per suggetion , then i woukd i have to take it off and may break.

so now, i will try to fix the trim.. clean tiles and may be fill it with grout where there is too much space between two tiles
I will have to see grout video

what is sanded and unsanded grout? Which one to use?



 
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Old 12-06-19, 10:29 AM
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Un-sanded grout is a finer consistency.
It is use in grout lines that are 1/8 inch or less.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 10:41 AM
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I didn't see any spots in your pics where you would use grout. They do sell color matching sanded caulk if needed.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 10:56 AM
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@marksr,

Hi, the gap between wall tile and counter tile 3rd pic seems too wide.. therefore i was thinking to use grout over caulking.

do you suggest otherwise?
 
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Old 12-06-19, 10:59 AM
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If it's too wide to caulk and you can't draw the countertop closer to the wall you'd use a backer rod under the caulking. Grout will fail when applied to angles like that and I doubt caulking is stable enough to apply grout to.
 
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Old 12-06-19, 01:30 PM
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marksr his third picture does look like it needs grout on both the horizontal and vetrical tiles but it is hard to tell for sure.

If the grout lines are 3/16"wide then it is recommended that the grout depth be at least 2/16" deep.(two thirds).

Grout gets hard so any backing you use also has to be hard.

In the third picture it ;looks like the top of the cabinet itself has moved away from the wall, again it is hard to tell.
If this is true than the front of the cabinet kick plate may need shimming up.
 
 

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