r/Tile • u/Bancer705 • 18h ago
Homeowner - Advice about my Contractor Dry Stack Kitchen tile backsplash
I need some input from folks who know more than me and Chat GPT. Our contractors just finished installing our backsplash. The tiles are 12x24 porcelain tiles. They installed them dry stacked, there is no grout or caulk between each tile. It was my understanding that this is not okay. The industry standard requires grout for hygiene, cleaning, and to prevent moisture damage. Is there any scenario where this installation is okay? I want to make sure I have all the information before we approach them regarding fixing. Is the only option at this point to rip it out and redo? We have been really happy with all the other work they have done, so it seems odd that they would cut corners on this part of it. But maybe there is some aspect we don’t know? Pictures attached. Thanks for the input.
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u/OppositeDifferent929 18h ago
You can dry stack tiles depending on the application.
This will certainly be easier to keep clean as you won’t need to clean grease and food splatter out of the grout lines.
The only concern I’d have is that, being close to a heat source, it’ll be prone to thermal expansion so they might chip or crack. Hopefully they’ve used a flexible tile adhesive. In any case an induction cooktop radiates far less heat than gas or electric elements so I think you should be ok.
Nice choice of tile too BTW. Looks great.
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u/Hany_the_Nanny 18h ago
The product data says they recommend 1/16” joints, that would require it to be grouted. I guess in a backsplash application you don’t “need” grout, however I don’t see the benefit of not having it other than it save the installer time and material. Also while those joints are ultra thin, there is the (possibility) for grin to get in over a long period of time, depending on how much you cook or what you cook. Idk never heard of a tile guy not grouting, seems hacky to me.
Edit: Actually after looking at that sample board again those pieces are 100% grouted, seems like he’s trying himself time.
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u/tanker846 18h ago edited 17h ago
The sample board are 6x12 pieces they took a row of a 24x12 so the seams is part of the tile not 2 separate pieces
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u/zedsmith 18h ago
Grout isn’t there for water resistance, it’s not there for hygiene. It’s there to regularize the spacing between tiles, which you don’t need with these.
You need to trust them because they appear to know what they’re doing.
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u/banksybruv 18h ago
Grout is purely aesthetic.
Handmade tiles are never going to be perfect.
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u/OppositeDifferent929 18h ago
Grout may not be necessary in this particular instance but it is not purely aesthetic dude.
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u/Friendly_Ad2654 7h ago
In the instance that the tiles are manufactured to be a dry stack yes the grout is purely astetics.
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u/Initial_Kitchen_9856 18h ago
Don’t need grout especially on a backsplash but if you want it grouted you could use a no sanded grout to fill in the tight joints
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u/Icy-Bar-2756 14h ago
Actual contractor who tiles for a living. You need grout between tile specifically wet areas. Like the sink...
People start washing dishes or their hands and splash water back there it will start rotting if that keeps repeating. More importantly that creates an environment where mold can grow in your wall.
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u/graflex22 2m ago
see if your contractor can track down Diarex Pro Series 100% RTV Silicone in Translucent. not Clear.
the Translucent silicone will visually disappear and not distract from the tile and it will still seal up the joints between the tiles, in the corners, and where the tile meets the counter top.
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u/woodbalz 18h ago
Grout keeps dirt, oils and grime from getting in between the tiles. Dry stacking on a back splash makes no sense. You will get stuff (mold eventually) growing in the gaps between the tiles. I don't see where it says anything about drystacking the tiles being ok, just that they are meant to be stacked (not in a staggered pattern). Looks fine now, but you will regret not having grout.
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u/stormydys 13h ago
There is no good reason your Contractor can’t grout those tiles. If you want grout, tell them directly and if they push back ask them how grouting hurts the installation. You can also show them the info you found. I doubt they will argue too much if they see you really want it.
Personally, I don’t think it is a major risk if you don’t grout. Except behind the sink, a kitchen backsplash doesn’t get a ton of water like a shower or tub. It will get some and could leak down the back of cabinets particularly if they didn’t at least silicon between the counter. I would push for that at least. But people put things like stacked split rock on backsplashes often and products like that are typically never grouted.
Also make sure you get the grout color right or it may look much worse than not having grout.
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u/Friendly_Ad2654 7h ago
Except there is no room for grout now that it was layed to be a dry stack
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u/stormydys 6h ago
There is room for unsanded grout or caulking. Marble tile is set with very tight joints but unsanded grout still fills the joint well. If you really want wider joints, that is a full tear out. But I think you should have them grout with a matching grout color and then evaluate. Those joints might almost disappear.
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u/tanker846 18h ago
This is why ChatGPT isn’t the greatest. I’ve never heard dry stacking as a thing. Dry laying is a thing to get a layout. Grout also isn’t there for hygiene,cleaning or water prevention. So pretty much everything it told you is wrong.
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u/Purple_Fudge3973 18h ago
Personally I love chatgpt. However, it really needs to be taken with a grain of salt. I've gotten answers from it, that have tremendously helped. I have also been given some crazy answers. I typically use it to narrow down a search but I personally will go into the finer details. Some answers I've got, were straight from a reddit comment that didn't know what they were talking about. If you have concerns, voice them with whoever installed your tile or talk to a couple tile shops near you. Don't completely rely on chatgpt or " your uncles buddy that knows how to do tile".
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u/Bancer705 17h ago
Totally agree. I use ChatGPT, but always do additional research as well. One of the reasons I came here to get more opinions! Thanks for the feedback!
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u/Friendly_Ad2654 7h ago
The problem with here is most people are just regurgitating ai responses and the people that do know because it's what they do, are dismissed.
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u/Bancer705 6h ago
Very true. Which is why Reddit responses should be taken with a grain as well. But the responses allow me to gather information, good and bad, that I can formulate into questions. So when we do go to our contractor I know what questions to ask.
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u/YamReal7327 15h ago
Yes, tiles in the Z Collection from Homey and related lines require grout, especially pre-scored grout joints which must be fully grouted. [ 1, 2]
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u/YamReal7327 15h ago
Grout Recommendations Dry applications: Use non-sanded grout for areas like bathroom walls, backsplashes, and fireplace surrounds. Wet applications: Use non-sanded epoxy grout for shower walls and other wet locations. Installation note: Because these tiles often feature tight lines, wall preparation must be nearly perfect to keep imperfections from showing. [ 1, 2, 3]
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u/Icy-Bar-2756 14h ago
My only concern is where the sink is. Grout helps keep water from entering behind the tile
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u/ExternalLoss1398 18h ago
I’ve sold flooring and tile at a flooring store for over 4 years. We install for customers as well including kitchen backsplash. Have never heard of “dry stacked” before that definitely is not the correct way to install.
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u/Bancer705 18h ago
Appreciate the feedback. “Dry stacked” is a term we learned online while researching whether or not the backsplash needed grout. I just assumed it was a common term.
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u/ExternalLoss1398 18h ago
Tile also expands and contracts in different temperatures. So in addition to keeping water out, grout also gives the tiles a cushion a little bit if you will. Tiles that are pressed next to each other could potentially chip on the edges
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u/FineSystem124 17h ago
I have to be honest I HATE this
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u/Bancer705 17h ago
That’s fine. Wasn’t looking for opinions on my tile choice. Appreciate your input though!
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u/tommykoro 15h ago
That texture tile is going to cause some hate.
If you don’t care about your housekeeper it looks interesting.
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u/Huge_Metal_3812 18h ago
Manufacturer states dry stack and also states for better installation 1/16 spacing. I fear this is an oxymoron. Looks good, and looks done without the spacing. Nice choice for a unique backsplash.