Musty smell in a rowhouse? Either works, but silicone works better. I do not like to caulk vertical corners and so I "Kerdi the corners" with a 6" wide piece in case the corner were to open or crack. Concrete moves, (the ground beneath it) that’s why it has expansion joints – to control where the movement goes. Tile is 4×12 with 1/16″ joint. After, cleaning the shower I noticed a Slight discoloration on a few areas on the grout. Within a few months, it deteriorates and gives birth to mold on its surface as well. Most shower installations are over a wood structure of some sort. Then afterward, caulking over the corner. Can you use Sanded Caulk in a Shower? I used this caulk in the gap between the vertical shower corners but I used up the one tube I ordered from HD and used clear silicone caulk along the horizontal shower to base gaps, and the vertical shower … That being the case, I will discuss using grout first. After the grout has had a few days to harden, you should caulk using a clear tub/shower caulk or one in a color that matches the grout. When the grout is gone, clean all the dust and other debris and let the surfaces dry thoroughly. Your walls and the framing of your shower must be absolutely rock solid. Provided your waterproofing BEHIND the tile is properly tied into the tub so you have a fully waterproof transition from the wall down into the tub you don’t need to have anything there. The discoloration is more noticeable on the very bottom row of tile l, where the tile meets the top of the tub & The bottom corner, but also, appearing along the very bottom row of tile where it meets the tub… The grout is a very light gray & the discoloration appears to be a reddish orange in color.. More likely, however, the biggest issue is that the water behind the tile (completely normal) drains to the bottom of the wall and has no way to escape into the tub. Some tell me caulk is needed. Why do they give different answers? I used this caulk in the gap between the vertical shower corners but I used up the one tube I ordered from HD and used clear silicone caulk along the horizontal shower to base gaps, and the vertical shower to adjoining walls wood trim. I get quite a few questions here concerning cracking grout on a shower bench. The easier, and proper, solution is to silicone first – I just don’t usually do that because of time restraints. In time, most caulk will mold, dry up, peel, or crack. Around the base, there is the potential for movement so again, caulk is called for. But it isn’t flexible enough to stay intact where a shower pan or tub meets surrounding walls. Acrylic caulk is the easiest to apply neatly, and it’s paintable, which makes it the best for sealing most joints before you paint. January Colbert, a tech spokeswoman for Color Rite, recommends this product over the tinted, sanded siliconized acrylic caulks that her company also makes because Color Sil is 100 percent silicone. The bead tool presses caulk into the joint evenly and allows you to create a flat joint even with the face of the tile. Caulk sticks best when it connects two surfaces, not three. If you google pink mold you’ll find several ways to get rid of it. I recently built a shower using this same type of grout, but a different color. Note at the outset that this doesn't refer to whether you have to pass afterward with sandpaper. Get a good chunk out at one end and pull. I’m backwards like that. That simply means that if you are using sanded grout you cannot butt the tiles against each other at the corner and expect to be able to force grout into it. Either that or I can visit some tile/granite stores for a remnant. I was planning on grouting the corners, so the tiles are not butted together. If you have joints that are thicker than one-eighth of an inch, then you should fill them up with sanded caulk. would we also be able to epoxy grout where tile meets tub? Since most people in the debate have never actually installed a shower I would like to hear from some tile installation pros about what is better. There are several advantages to using caulk in corners and any other area where there may be a plane change or where tile meets another material such as your bathtub or sink. Grout, which is a cement-based material, is great for filling the spaces between tiles. still ok? Both grouts you’ve mentioned work well. The laticrete supplier in my area said the caulk is what they sell. Unlike grout you are able to use caulk in a corner where tiles are butted against each other. I’ll be grouting this weekend and have a question. The only time I will use grout for a plane change is when I am using epoxy grout. It’s a bathtub/shower combo with porcelain tiles measuring 3×9 in size. Question: can we put silicone caulk over these areas to cover pink without causing further issues? You’ll need to keep it clean and dry regularly or you’ll have issues with it. It doesn’t matter if it cracks or not, neither grout nor silicone in the corner has anything to do with your waterproofing or preventing water from getting behind your tile – that WILL happen anyway. Do each joint separately, but one right after the other. It can also be caused by hard water deposits. The tile will drop down to within 1/8 inch of the pan. Because grout does not withstand pressure well, it is not well suited for sealing the joints of the bath, sink or the shower tray. And the grout for this subway tile , is spectralock pro your favorite? If you are using epoxy go ahead and grout the corners and changes of plane as well. Everything I’m about to tell you is fixable easily. they should have been caulked instead. That can work on minor leaks, but only if you first strip out old caulk (or grout) and let the area dry before applying fresh material. Hopefully, most comes out at one time. Peeling off caulk also makes mold and mildew breeding very easy in the newly formed gaps in the shower grout. However, I wonder how much it costs to fix cracked grout as you will need to repair it quickly to avoid water seeping through the cracks. You MAY get away with the tile to tub transition, but if there is excess movement and you have an acrylic tub the tub may actually end up cracking before the tile. I normally just avoid the corners when grouting and scrape out any grout that does get in there. All the cool kids are doin’ it. Caulk that’s 100 percent silicone doesn’t shrink and stays flexible, but it is so sticky that it’s tough to install tidily. I’ve decided to have my privacy violated and start putting things on Facebook. I get quite a few questions here concerning cracking grout on a shower bench. We realize we will probably have to remove, clean & recaulk every year. You want it to bridge edges of the tile and the shower pan but not connect to the cement board or other surfaces behind the tile. Caulk comes in a bewildering array of types. If the grout cracks, and water reaches the kerdi band, what's to stop the water … Joined: May 2, 2011 Location: Walnut Creek, CA. Also, how soon after grouting can I silicone? Thoughts on which option is better? There is a little movement in the foundation due to drainage issues that are being resolved, but the grout has been cracking in the past 6 months or so. Use silicone caulk instead of grout to get crack-free shower corners and address tile movement […] The grout has cracked in several places in both the tiled showers in my house. For novices, taping is extra security against creating a mess. (Don’t do that.) Given the above parameters I believe caulk to always be the best choice. It’s simply cylindrical foam used to fill empty space before caulking. It’ll be fun. Takes literally 10 mins to grout that area including mixing in … By this, we mean the corners where the material meets the wall. As for a place for water to weep, it can do that at the grout joints just above the caulk. Thanks again for your help. I am using the permacolor grout for my shower. Thanks for the above comment. Doesn’t have a finished edge though. Whether you opt for tape or skip it, Colbert strongly recommends using two auxiliary products that her company sells: pretooling mist for silicone caulk and the Perfect Bead tool. If there is any movement the caulk is flexible enough to move with it and remain in place. What Do You Do With Cracked Grout in the Corners of a Custom Shower?. – if you ask a hundred different professionals you will more than likely receive fifty of each answer. 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