[nickko]

I always caulk my inside corners when i tile a shower with latasil silicone, but i am now tiling my own shower at home and was thinking of grouting the inside corners because eventually the silicone gets moldy.
i grouted it with spectalock epoxy. I didn't do anything with the inside corners yet.
Does anyone ever grout there inside corners? Im just curious if anyone does.

thanks............nicko

 

[cleveman]

I've done changes in plane before, and dissimilar materials as well. I've grouted the corners with epoxy and I've grouted between tile and the wood edging on a countertop. I haven't had any problems because of this, but I would never grout up to metal edge because metal moves much more.

 

[avenge]

I always caulk my inside corners when i tile a shower with latasil silicone, but i am now tiling my own shower at home and was thinking of grouting the inside corners because eventually the silicone gets moldy.
i grouted it with spectalock epoxy. I didn't do anything with the inside corners yet.
Does anyone ever grout there inside corners? Im just curious if anyone does.

thanks............nicko

If you're caulking the corners you shouldn't grout them and use a color matched caulk. I don't caulk my corners.

 

[nickko]

i dont grout them and use color matched caulk. It is one or the other.
John Bridge says he never uses silicone in a shower he grouts everything.

nicko

 

[CraigHarimon]

TCNA recommends you caulk your change of plane. In order to make this work long term you need to.
1 make a caulk joint that is clean
2 install backer rod
3 caulk and press making a joint where the center of the bead is thin and both edges have a good "root structure" to keep them bonded during expansion and contraction.

I rarely do this. I know very few who go through this process, but running a "bead" of color match Acrylic on a tight seam is of no more value than just grouting. other than you think you have met the standard.

For the most part I will grout the change of plane and make them aware that it may crack and leave my phone number to call me at the first sign of cracking so I can come out and clean and Caulk.

 

[PrecisionFloors]

Yet another argument for urethane grout. It stays a bit more flexible. I've not had an issue doing it with urethane but I have with cementious grout.

 

[MarkJames]

Yet another argument for urethane grout. It stays a bit more flexible. I've not had an issue doing it with urethane but I have with cementious grout.

What about Mapei FlexColor CQ in the bucket? Know anything about how that would perform?

 

[CraigHarimon]

What about Mapei FlexColor CQ in the bucket? Know anything about how that would perform?

It is what I use. the grout is flexible in tension but it has high compressive strength. I feel it is the equal of urethane grouts in this area

 

[FrankSmith]

Why are you using a method at other peoples houses that isn't good enough for your house?

 

[KAP]

For the most part I will grout the change of plane and make them aware that it may crack and leave my phone number to call me at the first sign of cracking so I can come out and clean and Caulk.

This seems odd... If the repair is the right way to do it as the solution to the problem that you acknowledge to your client might occur, why wouldn't you do it to begin with?... :blink:

 

[rocspec]

Just a thought. I've always scrubbed my inside corners with 92% alcohol or Goof off before caulking with silicone. Obviously you can't do that the same day as you've grouted. Never had a lick of mold. I've been back to many jobs for other work. No mold. Both my upstairs baths are 19 and 16 years old. I used GE almond on one and white in the other. Not only is it not moldy it's still adhered very well. I think if the tile isn't as clean as it can be, the seal is compromised and moisture will get under and trapped. Therefore mold follows. Evaporation can occur at the grout lines but not tile to tile.

 

[mike gunderson]

with cement based grouts i have always caulked, with urethane or epoxy i use the grout most times. i have never had a problem with mold using caulk, even when i have used the bostik siliconized acrylic caulk. i have noticed if i am tiling to a laminate countertop i have to caulk no matter what grout i use. too much movement between different substrates.

 

[nickko]

Just a thought. I've always scrubbed my inside corners with 92% alcohol or Goof off before caulking with silicone. Obviously you can't do that the same day as you've grouted. Never had a lick of mold. I've been back to many jobs for other work. No mold. Both my upstairs baths are 19 and 16 years old. I used GE almond on one and white in the other. Not only is it not moldy it's still adhered very well. I think if the tile isn't as clean as it can be, the seal is compromised and moisture will get under and trapped. Therefore mold follows. Evaporation can occur at the grout lines but not tile to tile.

that's interesting. I see moldy caulking all the time and it is one of my customers biggest concerns when i do a bath remodel because they are sick of black caulking.
I caulked my own shower at home with GE's best silicone and it turned black with mold. That is the shower i tore out and am now doing a tile shower.

nicko

 

[Big Shoe]

Just a thought. I've always scrubbed my inside corners with 92% alcohol or Goof off before caulking with silicone. Obviously you can't do that the same day as you've grouted. Never had a lick of mold. I've been back to many jobs for other work. No mold. Both my upstairs baths are 19 and 16 years old. I used GE almond on one and white in the other. Not only is it not moldy it's still adhered very well. I think if the tile isn't as clean as it can be, the seal is compromised and moisture will get under and trapped. Therefore mold follows. Evaporation can occur at the grout lines but not tile to tile.

Acetone works for me. :thumbsup:

 

[CraigHarimon]

This seems odd... If the repair is the right way to do it as the solution to the problem that you acknowledge to your client might occur, why wouldn't you do it to begin with?... :blink:

Couple reasons
1 If the shower corners spread It often will pull the caulk out any way so letting them know it might happen but not caulking (which will mildew) has a 70% chance of looking better in 5 years.

2 you have to caulk AFTER grouting and after the grout is cured or you will make a mess and or the caulk will not bond to the wet grout leaving an opening for mold to grow. Therefore you have to wait until the material is totally dry which means coming back the next day (or Later) and not letting them use the shower an additional 24 hours.

So since I would have to make a separate trip to caulk the joints properly, and most of my showers do not have this issue, and the acrylic grouts look great and do not need the long term maintenance that caulk joints require. Both parties are better off doing this way. If some one is reading this post and currently caulking their showers the same day as grouting you are not doing your client any favors.

NOTE: I am referring to making a proper soft joint not running a bead over the corner which is what 98% of the soft joints I have ever witnessed, and what 98% of tile installers think of when they caulk a joint.

 

[Tech Dawg]

that's interesting. I see moldy caulking all the time and it is one of my customers biggest concerns when i do a bath remodel because they are sick of black caulking.
I caulked my own shower at home with GE's best silicone and it turned black with mold. That is the shower i tore out and am now doing a tile shower.

nicko

That must be in the land of no mold spores or something, from the other post you quoted. Like you, I've never seen perfect looking caulking in a bathroom after the 5 year mark. I like using urethane grout for everything

 

[Gary Birk]

All the showers we have done were grouted with spectra loc grout even in the corners ,homeowners were asked if they want the corners grouted or caulked ,all but one wanted grouted corners.have done repeat work for a few customers and did not see any cracking in inside corners that were grouted with spectra loc .last shower we done was the one we caulked inside corners ,used latiasil silicone color matched ,color was great but it had that shinny look.all showers were done with detri shower kit ,I think the kurdi mat helps with any cracking.