If you have problems where the tile grout
meets the tub, you’re not alone. Many people scratch
their heads and wonder if they should re-grout this transition
area or apply a bead of caulk around the perimeter of
the tub.
 The page on shower
grout and caulking talks about the importance
of inspecting the grout for areas of crumbling or
cracking. Every tile
grout corner, vertical or horizontal, should be examined
as well as the seal around the plumbing fixtures.
Where the tiles meet the rim of the tub is a transition
area where grout has a very difficult time. Since
grout is not flexible, any expansion or contraction
or movement of the tub or walls can cause grout cracking
and flaking. To fix this tub-rim area the long range
solution is to use our grout removal procedures and replace it with
a flexible caulk. Just filling the cracks with more
grout will only lead to more cracks.
After scraping out the grout with a Grout
Getter, clean the joints and allow any water to thoroughly
dry. Fill the
entire joint with a bead of caulk and tool with your finger
using enough pressure to force the caulking completely
into the joint. Then wash the excess caulk with a sponge,
making several passes until the caulk is uniform and even.
Rinsing the sponge several times during this process will
make it easier to properly smooth the caulk..
Our Colorfast tile & grout
caulk is an acrylic siliconized formula, easy to
apply and is moisture and mildew resistant. It’s
available in all the major grout colors in sanded or
non-sanded formula so that even its texture will match
the other tile grout joints. |
