When my tub was installed grout was used to seal the tub and ceramic tiles together. Today that grouted seam is beginning to crack and crumble and needs to be repaired, replaced, and/or corrected. What should I do? I have been told by a friend that grout should never have been used to seal that area in the tiling process and that the grout needs to be scraped out and the seal made new with a caulking compound. Is this correct and if so, what caulking compound is best suited for this? I noticed also that the grout around the shower window is not properly sealed and needs to be corrected as well. Can I simply add more grout to this area for a satisfactory fix?
2007-04-09 02:27:50 · 5 answers · asked by lookin4you777 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Your friend is correct, somewhere you need to have a flexible filling so the differential expansion between the walls can be accomodated. Use a silicon caulk, better if it has mildew resistance.
2007-04-09 02:45:27 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the stores they sell sheets of tile designs and you can put in whole panels of tile or cut it to fit and glue them in from behind. ask for the glue. This way theres no mildew. around corners of windows and tubs or where you use grout or caulking. Be sure when its dry to put clear paint with a small brush only on grout and caulking no spray. mildew does'nt grow on paint
2007-04-09 20:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't use the silicone caulk use a latex one Dow makes a good one make sure it has mold guard
hint clean area well use a bleach solution to kill any existing mold let dry now fill the tub with water Thain caulk let dry Thain drain the tub this will help as if you do it without filling the tub it stretches the caulk when you fill it and that is what makes it crack the latex will be more flexible Thain the silicone
2007-04-09 12:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you sure can, however you should find some decorative tiles like borders or so to make it look better. Also my practice has shown that it looks better if you do not use full 12" or 16" tile unless it is a very large area. However you can always cut those tile in half. Don't forget to install 1/4" backerboard (cement board)
2016-05-20 23:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by marybeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have some experience sharing with you, beside tube, the temperature is frequently changing, so you must choose the elastical seal as well as silicone, it's easy to get in B&I, or other shore to sell decorative material, i would help if possible
2007-04-09 02:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by karl l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋