How is a marble or granite kitchen work top usualy sealed?

Question

The two pieces of my new marble work top is sealed with a thread of silicone sealer. There is nothing actually joining them together like cement or anything just these threads!!!This has already come away once. It stands to reason that every time water goes between the two slabs it will seep down and rot the wood underneath. It came away first when it was accidentally rubbed within a few hours of setting. I put this down to the fact that it hadn't had time to set properly. They came and resealed the join. Before I settled on marble when choosing my kitchen I inquired fully to what was used in the joining of pieces also the splash back and was reassured that the join would be strong and watertight. I explained that I was always splashing around with water (not one of those perfect housewives that almost never used the sink area, At it least it looks like it is never used!) Is there anyone that can tell me is this the normal way of sealing marble with nothing actually in the join?

Answer 1

A silicone bead is usually applied between the counter top and the back splash. When done correctly, there should just be a smooth transition between the two and when you wipe down the counter, you should not feel it or if you do, barely. The silicone is probably coming off easily because the counter top was not cleaned well before installing the silicone. Silicone must be applied to a clean surface with no contaminants on it otherwise it wont bond as well as it should.

Answer 2

When it was installed, they should have left a small gap so the sealer would be below surface level.  There is nothing for the sealer to anchor itself to.  

The only way to fix it is to reinstall it such that there is such a gap and they lay a bead while they are joining them.  .