Fix cracks in the grout between bathroom tile (floor and wall)

Grouting intersecting planes never works, there is always movement. This can be eliminated by using a color matched silicone or applying a clear silicon over the finished grout after the initial application has dried. Personally i prefer color match, but i also have the added benefit of knowing exactly what i grouted with and matching it with the manufacturers corresponding product.

 

Oopsies... this is why I should not give advice at 5 am lol. I meant color matching silicone. Mapie has an extensive collection of sanded and non sanded color match SILICONES... that match all their grout colors.

Sorry for the confusion I will edit my previous post to correct it

 

Back in the 80’s my Dads jobs in N.Y. We siliconed the entire shower for grouting.

Grout is what fills the voids, the material used can be flexible or rigid.

Waterproofing is not done by grout. It is a separate method entirely.

 

Yea I’d cut out all the old and caulk with a good caulking
Once you get all the old out and clean run some painters tape about 1/8 or 3/16 and caulk then pull the tape will give you a really clean edge

 

I’m not so sure I would just use Mapei’s latex type caulk, it’s not really designed for wet areas, it’s all Mapei had back in the day prior to bringing out the color matched silicone @ 5 years ago.

To me, it’s a visual issue, hairline crack. I would cut a small hole at tip of caulk gun and force it into the hairline crack as applying. Then with finger at a low angle force into the hairline crack. Followed by a damp sponge to wipe away excess.

No one does the change of planes correctly, Schluter bypasses the grout with aluminum profiles.

So silicone can get mildew growth within itself. Not sure the name of the mold but it’s like what can grow in pools that develops its own hard shell. Mapei probably has a biocide within their product.

Silicone is also odd in its bonding abilities. Definitely needs to be “dry” I don’t like it’s peeling weaknesses.

 

The hand held grout saw will work in a small area in a pinch or until the blade is dead. The horseshoe shaped grout blade for a multi tool works like a champ. If you can have someone hold the vacuum hose close enough to suck up the dust it will be practically mess free. Let the tool do the work and one blade should easily take care of your entire shower and then some.

 

You can rotate the blade so you should be able to get pretty darn close. Maybe pick up one of them cheesy hand saws to get the very corner if you can’t finagle the tool all the way into the corner.

You don’t want to cut too deep. Only grout deep. You don’t want to be cutting through any waterproofing membranes n such that may be behind the tile keeping your shower water tight.

All color match caulk sucks to apply, compared to 100% silicone, so pick the closest color match you can get. Somebody mentioned blue tape and a wet sponge for applying and clean up. Best advice ever because that stuff likes to smear. I usually do that the same time I’m grouting so I have a bucket(s) of clean water to clean my sponge(s).

 

To clean silicone(liquid) use denatured alcohol. To “dress” it use a soapy finger. I don’t like to spray joint as water will get behind the silicone as it’s pressed in place.

 

The water proofing can be different colors I’ve seen orange-red-black
As long as you don’t cut past the tile you will be ok
See if you can find a BASF caulking in my opinion it’s the best been using it for over 15 years never had a problem with it
It may not have a color you need though.

 

Yup, availability! Mapesil probably only at distributors and even then limited on shelf.

 

Gotta get rid of dust also

 

BASF uses my slogan, when I buy used stuff, “I make it better”

I think you’re wasting money if you don’t pick something off the shelf of a box store unless you use it up within a year elsewhere. I used up about 10 open tubes of all sorts of colors to plug up holes around the house for bugs to get through. Behind stove cabinets was a good spot.

 

Caulking is something that wears out and needs replaced every once in while. Its not permanent.