Shower Tile/Grout ?
 

Hey KT or anyone else. I converted my tub to a tub/shower combo. Installed a new tub, plumbing for the shower, tiled the walls. I'm ready to grout this weekend and have one question. Do I grout the joint between the tile walls and the tub or should I caulk that joint instead?

Before the current trend to use caulk anywhere and everywhere, the Old School would be grout. One method better than the other? I know the caulk would account for wall to floor flex better but, it tends to look like shyte in a couple of years. On the other hand I risk cracking due to expansion/contraction.

I've got 3/16 joints and I'm using sanded grout which I know will be stronger than an unsanded joint. What do you all think?

Please tell me you installed a moisture barrier behind, right? ;)

You caulk. The tub flexes up and down and in and out and the grout seal would crack.

Kurt got it, use caulk. If you grout it will crack before long. They have much better silicone products now that are optimized for tub and shower. They clean more easily, are more flexible, last longer, and better resist mildew and mold. Give it a good look at your hardware store, look for one of the advanced tub and shower silicones.

Fill the tub half full of water and stand in it when you caulk.

A tip I got a few years ago.

Sure! It only took three boxes of Saran Wrap!;)

Excellent tip! My neighbor across the street put in an acrylic tub and was always having to re-caulk that thing. He obviously didn't know that one. OH, he was a plumber too! LOL!

OK, you all finished me off on the caulk. Any long term tilers care to recommend a manufacturer or would I be fine with one of the majors at my local Osh or Ace?

They make sanded caulking.

You can get it to match the color of the grout you are using.
Check at the tile store.

What's that place called in Capitola? Sunshine Tile or something?


KT

You da man! Not familiar with Sunshine. Mission Tile is in Santa Cruz just over the border from Capitola I think. Pretty snooty though. Of course I don't walk in there all blinged out. I go to a place off River St. industrial park in Santa Cruz. Tile & Marble outlet.

I did the floor in the bath as well. It started with my wife saying "lets replace the built in counter with a free standing sink". Innocently I started. Next thing I knew, I had gutted the whole thing. A blur really.:D

I'll post some pics when I'm done.

Yeah, Mission Tile.

I don't know where I got Sunshine???

Use 511 Impregnator on the grout.


KT

That sounds like the sealer I used on the floor grout. I'll have to check. Got some left over. Hey, That reminds me of something else. They say to avoid getting the sealer on the tile. Total pain trying to just seal the grout lines. WTF do you do with those small azzed 1" tiles? Do you just do a wash over the whole thing and then immediately follow up with a light sponging?

Who is 'they'.

You paint it on the joints, then buff it off the tile with a clean cloth. No big deal.


KT

Directions on the sealer container. :confused: You probably would have laughed at how careful I was doin the floor.:D