Sealing the gap between kitchen worktop and wall

[mrochester]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of buying my first house, and I know there are a few little tasks to be done here and there.

In the kitchen, there is currently a gap between the back of the worktops and the wall which I guess would usually be filled by tiled splashbacks (which obviously aren't there). I won't have a lot of money when I move, so probably can't afford to have someone come and tile it, so I was wondering if there was any other solution to closing this gap? If so, is there something I could easily fit myself?

TIA,

Michael.

 

[Bobbler]

1. Fill with a bead of silicon
or
2. Tile it yourself, its actually a pretty easy job which you dont need to get someone in to do
or
3. They do a bit of worktop that runs up the wall about 5cm or so that you would run around the edge. Cant remember what they are called off hand. Looks a little like a skirting board type thing but thicker like the worksurfaces.

Do something though, the back edge of worksurfaces tends to be exposed chipboard and will soak up any spills and swell.

 

[mrochester]

1. Fill with a bead of silicon
or
2. Tile it yourself, its actually a pretty easy job which you dont need to get someone in to do
or
3. They do a bit of worktop that runs up the wall about 5cm or so that you would run around the edge. Cant remember what they are called off hand. Looks a little like a skirting board type thing but thicker like the worksurfaces.

Do something though, the back edge of worksurfaces tends to be exposed chipboard and will soak up any spills and swell.

Yes, exactly, I want to do *something* to it to prevent any stuff getting stuck behind the units, or liquid rotting wood.

 

[Bri]

Cheapest option would be to seal it with silicon.

The 'skirting board; things the previous poster mentioned are called upstands, like this , I still haven't got round to putting ours on

 

[stinka]

yes as mentioned upstand is what you want.

get down your local b&q warehouse its not that dear, just stick it to the wall with colured silicon sealer (coloured is more sticky than clear dont ask me why)

its 100mm/4" high and 18 mm thick

 

[fozzy]

Just do as mentioned in the above posts, if you do run a bead of silicon, you can get a nice finish by smoothing out the bead with your finger. Just make sure you keep your finger wet.