Posted: 9/2/2012 6:40:19 AM EDT
|
Ok, today I am regrouting the shower tile and need a concensus question answered.
(I already scraped out all the old grout and it is clean and dry.) Do I caulk the corners and where the shower pan meets the tile walls or can I regrout? (Builders initially used grout only and I like that look.) I'd rather grout even though standards seem to indicate caulk should be used. Thanks for any opinions. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Using caulk where two planes meet seem to be the consensus in the industry. Yeah, I was hoping that might be a "play it safe" rule and not an "etched in stone" rule? it's not etched in stone (you can see that builders break the rule) but the reasoning is that the weight of a person standing in the pan will eventually crack open the joint between the wall and the pan |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Using caulk where two planes meet seem to be the consensus in the industry. Yeah, I was hoping that might be a "play it safe" rule and not an "etched in stone" rule? Grout is acceptable when there is zero chance of any movement –– as in all surfaces are absolutely rock-solid. No deformations, and no expansion/contraction from temp changes. In most residential situations, caulk is preferred. I had grout in my shower corners. Some was fine, some had cracks running the length of the grout, and some had grout standing proud of the tile where it had shifted. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Using caulk where two planes meet seem to be the consensus in the industry. Yeah, I was hoping that might be a "play it safe" rule and not an "etched in stone" rule? Grout is acceptable when there is zero chance of any movement –– as in all surfaces are absolutely rock-solid. No deformations, and no expansion/contraction from temp changes. In most residential situations, caulk is preferred. I had grout in my shower corners. Some was fine, some had cracks running the length of the grout, and some had grout standing proud of the tile where it had shifted. The house is 25 years old. Is settling an ongoing thing or does it "calm down" eventually as the years go by? |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Using caulk where two planes meet seem to be the consensus in the industry. Yeah, I was hoping that might be a "play it safe" rule and not an "etched in stone" rule? Grout is acceptable when there is zero chance of any movement –– as in all surfaces are absolutely rock-solid. No deformations, and no expansion/contraction from temp changes. In most residential situations, caulk is preferred. I had grout in my shower corners. Some was fine, some had cracks running the length of the grout, and some had grout standing proud of the tile where it had shifted. The house is 25 years old. Is settling an ongoing thing or does it "calm down" eventually as the years go by? It isn't just settling. Temp changes cause expansion and contraction of things like 2x4 studs. This will happen for the life of the house. (Disclaimer: I'm not a pro. Just a DIYer who has researched the hell out of showers.) |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Using caulk where two planes meet seem to be the consensus in the industry. Yeah, I was hoping that might be a "play it safe" rule and not an "etched in stone" rule? Grout is acceptable when there is zero chance of any movement –– as in all surfaces are absolutely rock-solid. No deformations, and no expansion/contraction from temp changes. In most residential situations, caulk is preferred. I had grout in my shower corners. Some was fine, some had cracks running the length of the grout, and some had grout standing proud of the tile where it had shifted. The house is 25 years old. Is settling an ongoing thing or does it "calm down" eventually as the years go by? It isn't just settling. Temp changes cause expansion and contraction of things like 2x4 studs. This will happen for the life of the house. (Disclaimer: I'm not a pro. Just a DIYer who has researched the hell out of showers.) That makes sense. Shit, I don't like caulk. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: [snip] The house is 25 years old. Is settling an ongoing thing or does it "calm down" eventually as the years go by? It isn't just settling. Temp changes cause expansion and contraction of things like 2x4 studs. This will happen for the life of the house. (Disclaimer: I'm not a pro. Just a DIYer who has researched the hell out of showers.) That makes sense. Shit, I don't like caulk. This guy's website has been my Bible during my bathroom remodel. He really seems to know his stuff. He claims epoxy grout in corners is good to go. I'd forgotten that. http://floorelf.com/caulk-or-grout-in-corners |
|
Quoted:
.................... This guy's website has been my Bible during my bathroom remodel. He really seems to know his stuff. He claims epoxy grout in corners is good to go. I'd forgotten that. http://floorelf.com/caulk-or-grout-in-corners Thank you!! |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
.................... This guy's website has been my Bible during my bathroom remodel. He really seems to know his stuff. He claims epoxy grout in corners is good to go. I'd forgotten that. http://floorelf.com/caulk-or-grout-in-corners Thank you!! Ever try to remove epoxy grout when it does crack? Then what? Just caulk it? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
.................... This guy's website has been my Bible during my bathroom remodel. He really seems to know his stuff. He claims epoxy grout in corners is good to go. I'd forgotten that. http://floorelf.com/caulk-or-grout-in-corners Thank you!! Ever try to remove epoxy grout when it does crack? Then what? Just caulk it? After reading that blog I think I will still try regular unsanded grout at the corners and shower pan but keep a close watch on it if it ever cracks. Then I'll dig those areas out again and caulk. I simply do not like caulk. Of course, I'll use liquid sealant on the grout lines also. |