Santa Fe Floor Care

Why is Caulk So Important in Your Kitchen? - Santa Fe Floor Care

Countertop Caulking

One of the biggest investments in a home is the kitchen. The right flooring, along with the paint, cabinets, appliances, and countertops can result in a hefty price tag. And yet, one of the smallest and easiest things to fix can be the cause of costly damage to your investment. You need to fix those cracks and gaps in your kitchen caulk.

When your stone countertop was installed, several areas were caulked. The bottom of the backsplash where it meets the countertop. The top of the backsplash where it meets the wall or tile. The gap between the sink and countertop, and the seams where two pieces of countertop come together. If you don’t have a backsplash, then caulk was used to fill in the gap between the countertop and wall.

Why does my countertop need caulking?

  • It looks better than leaving a raw edge.
  • It looks better than having a noticeable gap.
  • It’s an extra step to help hold the parts and pieces still.
  • Filling the gaps helps to prevent water and other spills from running behind or through your countertops to your walls and cabinets.

What causes caulk to crack and gap?

  • If your home is new construction, settling may be the reason you are seeing cracks or gaps in your caulk lines.
  • Change of the seasons is another culprit, especially if your countertop rests on an outside wall. Cabinets and walls shrink and swell with seasonal changes, and heat and humidity.
  • Maybe your cabinets were not level, square, and plum when the countertops were installed so there is undue tension on the countertop causing it to minutely shift.
  • Overscrubbing can also be an issue, especially since latex caulk can get moldy.
  • Normal wear and tear can be a key factor in causing gaps and cracks, as well.

What kind of damage can happen?

No matter how it happened, once you see those cracks and gaps, you should have them taken care of promptly to prevent any type of cabinet or wall damage. Gaps in the seam between two pieces of stone countertop can allow water or other liquids to run into the cabinets below. The same is true of gaps in the caulking material that helps adhere your sink to your countertop. Leaking water can damage your cabinets. Gaps and cracks at the backsplash can allow water and other liquids to seep through and run down your walls, damaging the drywall over time.

If you decide to take care of this yourself, be aware that different joints require different material.

  • The gap between the sink and countertop requires 100% silicone.
  • The joint at the bottom of the backsplash also needs 100% silicone.
  • If the stone meets a tile backsplash, you should use either 100% silicone or sanded color caulk to match the grout as closely as possible.
  • The gap at the top of the backsplash where it meets the drywall should have either 100% silicone or paintable caulk.
  • If the issue is between two pieces of countertop, a two-part epoxy, custom tinted to match the countertop color is needed.

Caulk is a little thing that most people tend to ignore. However, caulk can play a key role in protecting one of your biggest home investments: your kitchen. Make sure your caulking is in good condition. If your caulking needs to be redone, don’t put off taking care of it. If you aren’t exactly sure what you need to do, then give us a call. It’s best to take care of the small things now so they don’t become big problems later.

Santa Fe Floor Care
5.0
Based on 167 reviews
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Bryant W.
19:58 07 Jan 25
Brian did a fantastic job. Looks new like the day we built our house. He was friendly and professional and I would highly recommend Santa Fe Floor Care to anyone!
Kenny K.
23:09 30 Dec 24
We’ve used these guys twice to seal our tile grout. Professional, reasonable in price, easy to work with.
Rachele B.
18:09 23 Dec 24
We’ve had Santa fe floors come do surface repairs a few times. They are quick, reliable, reasonable and have excellent customer service! I highly recommend them!!
andrew N.
15:21 13 Dec 24
I was absolutely blown away by the exceptional hardwood floor and limestone cleaning service I received from Sante Fe Floor Care for my new construction home. Rodrick, our technician, was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also incredibly professional and courteous. He took the time to explain the entire process, the type of solution they use, and the best practices for future maintenance.The results were nothing short of spectacular. My floors look brand new! The attention to detail and the care he took in cleaning every nook and cranny was truly impressive. I highly recommend Sante Fe Floor Care to anyone seeking top-notch cleaning services, especially for new construction homes. They exceeded my expectations in every way.
Candy C.
16:48 12 Dec 24
We have been using the services of Santa Fe carpet and floors for almost 10 years. We have always been very pleased with the results. The team does excellent work and I'm always very comfortable with them in our home. This visit included tile floor and grout cleaning, and the results were amazing. Thank you, Santa Fe for your excellent work and commitment!
Bo Z.
18:14 11 Dec 24
We recently used Santa Fe Floor Care to clean our tile floor and seal the grout. Both Roderick and Brian were very professional and did a superb job at a reasonable rate. I would highly recommend Santa Fe Floor Care.
Stefania Rigo de R.
20:21 07 Nov 24
Bryan was very professional. He called to inform me he was on his way. Arrived on time and answered all my questions in detail. The carpet had some heavy traffic areas the were quite dirty. They all came out and it looks and smells terrific. I also had grout cleaned and I am very happy with the work. A visible difference in the kitchen and bathroom. I highly recommend Santa Fe. I have used them for over 15 years and they are consistent in their high quality service.
Shannon A.
23:02 27 Sep 24
Very knowledgeable, professional and punctual! We purchased a nine year old home in Sun City, all tile floors with two carpeted bedrooms. The home had been well cared for but the floors needed attention. Mr. Young came out, measured everything and visited with us, made suggestions and then clearly explained the process. We received a very fair quote and all the work was done well within a tight time frame. The floors are stunning! He also did a lovely job on a huge, 40 year old wool oriental carpet. We highly recommend Santa Fe Floor Care!!!Mr. and Mrs. James Armstrong
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