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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· Goin' Down in Flames....
Highwayman
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I’ve gone round and round on this.

Grout tends to crack in the inside corners.

Color-matched grout caulk is pretty disappointing. It cracks, drys out on countertop corners, and washes out of shower corners.

100% silicone, my favorite, only comes in 3 or 4 colors.

Im doing a couple showers now and I’m using the Prism grout. I wonder if that will work better in corners.

Anything new out there? Are urethane grouts more flexible?
 
#2 ·
You don't want to use grout in corners.

I like Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout. I'm not sure if it holds up in corners, but it has color matched caulks in silicone and latex. The colors are pretty close. I get mine from a local distributor, but Floor and Decor stocks the largest selection at retail.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
G&Co. said:
Corners do not get grouted. Where 2 planes come together there is (or can be) movement. All major grout manufacturers can supply color-matched caulk, both sanded and non sanded.
Click to expand...
I understand that.

My issue is the extremely poor quality of color matched caulks.

I would never use anything but a 100% silicone in a shower, but then I’m limited to either white, clear, and maybe a black and brown.

Ive used the color matched caulks in showers and it washed out in a couple weeks.

I’ve used it on vanities, and it dries out and cracks worse than grout.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I think I’m just an idiot

I’ve always just bought what was on the shelf at the tile wholesaler, which has always been siliconized acrylic

I did some research amd found 100% silicone in both Mapei and Custom

I guess I was just using he wrong stuff

Ive ordered some 100% silicone. I’ll see how that works.

Local shops here don’t really carry anything but the very basic stuff
 
#11 · (Edited)
I grout everything with no issues, but I put a lot of thought into making the corners locked together, etc. Yes, I know "you're not supposed to...", but skanky mildewed caulk is not my style.

I especially remove the horizontal caulk at the floor in existing walk-in showers when doing a grout repair of some sort. Grout likes to dry out and maintain its good looks.
 
#12 ·
I grout my corners. I try to keep a consistent eighth inch joint and focus on making sure that they are packed full of grout. I usually use epoxy grout in showers. I tell my customer that I’m grouting it and if it cracks call me and I’ll fix it. I do maybe three or four showers a year and haven’t gotten any calls about it. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had any cracks just that no one has called me about it.
l did my own shower about six years ago and it is fine. I remember reading on the John Bridge tile forum years ago that John said he grouts his corners and if they crack he will go back and fix them. That’s when I started doing it because I hate moldy caulking.
I started spraying my shower once a week with Wet and Forget shower spray and I can’t believe how great this stuff works. My shower is mold free and I never have to clean it. I only spray it from about 4 feet down.
Nicko
 
#13 ·
You can get matching 100% silicone caulk from a company called Colorite.

colorriteinc.com

Color Sil

Installation Color Sil Specifications What is Color Sil? Color Sil is designed for sealing applications exposed to high moisture areas inside or out! Color Sil is ideal for sealing around bathroom fixtures, countertop surfaces, tile/grout areas, wall panels, glass, and much more. If you...
colorriteinc.com colorriteinc.com

Their sanded version is a little glossy but it does tone down over time. Maybe it's just dirt and soap scum that cuts the gloss. :unsure: I also highly recommend their little tool and their mist spray. With a little practice, you can lay down a perfect bead. Perfect in appearance and function.

It ain't cheap when you add in their shipping cost so be prepared for a little sticker shock.
 
#17 ·
How are you going to fix a cracked grout corner, pray tell? Grind it out, reapply, and wait until the next failure? The crack is large enough to be seen and leak, but small enough to not allow any additional grout into it. Sounds hillbilly to me.
 
#20 ·
Using the correct grout, I will never use silicone in corners be it horizontal or vertical. Don't forget, not every material option can be accounted for when "they" write the rule books. I worked with StarQuartz which was bought out by Bostik and became QuartzLock urethane grout. I moved forward to Mapei Flexcolor CQ. They do not crack. The worst that happens is it separates. The bucket of premixed grout (properly sealed) will last 2-3 years on the shelf. Since it's premixed, you never have to worry about color match. If, the joint opens, call back, 2 minutes to fill in what separated and you're done. Grout is permanent. Caulk is not. So it's up to you, do you want a call back for separated grout after 1 year of seasonal expansion & contraction or the call back years later that requires you to tell your customer it's their problem now or to do the chemical removal of the silicone and recaulk?

I've been through hundreds of buckets of the mentioned grouts and had maybe 12 call backs since around 2006. I've had zero call backs for failed silicone because I don't use it.

Would I use a cementitious grout in corners? No....hell no. I've seen folks use that and silicone over it. Looks dumb but now you get cracked grout that will be held together by (clear) silicone until they both fail.

Right products, right results. (y)
 
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