Should I use caulking or grout and what kind?
Hi guys, My guest bathroom counter is starting to show some cracks, as is the bath tub. The last owner had some nice masonry work done and it is very high quality. I'm wondering if I should use fine colored grout to fill the cracks or use clear silicon caulking to seal it up? Any recommendations to either and which product to use? I want to do it right the first time. I can't tell if it was caulking that they used last time around but it is colored and fairly hard to the touch. Thanks for your expertise and advice -Cali-Girl Welcome to the forums. I'd go caulk in those areas. If you go to a tile store you should be able to get some caulking the same color as the grout. Grout won't last for very long in those joints. They need to be caulked. Since you have a white tub, you can use white silicone caulk at the tile/tub joint. On the back and side walls where 2 walls meet you should use a color matched caulk (same color as the grout). They make color matched caulk in non-sanded and sanded. Determine if you have sanded or non-sanded grout and then select the caulk to match the texture of the grout. As to the countertop, after removing the existing caulk you will have to evaluate the joint and determine if clear silicone caulk will work. If there is residue in the joint that you cannot remove, you may need to use a color matched caulk there as well. You'll want to keep this bead of caulk as thin as possible, for looks. Make sure remove all the grout and caulk in all the joints and clean them well prior to re caulking. What Johnny said, but I would use it in all joints. Color matched caulk, probably sanded. The grit helps hold it together. Unsanded is best in joints under 1/8, sanded in larger. Yours are on the line. Bill, it shouldnt make a difference if you use sanded or unsanded caulk. The 1/8 rule is for grout, not caulk. The purpose of sanded and non sanded caulk is to simply match the texture of the grout itself. Adding sand to caulk will not help the caulk hold anything together. The color matched caulks I use are from TEC. Both the sanded and non sanded caulks can be used in joints up to 1/2. Thanks Gentlemen. I took your advice and bought a tube of colored caulk to match the tile. Tonight starts the tedious process of removing the caulk...oh boy. I think this is a big project for me hah The store said that sanded caulk will crack more easily and to use regular texture to make it last longer What the others have said. Plus, make sure all your joints are DRY. Even if it means setting up a fan in the tub/vanity area overnight. Any moisture behind your new caulking will cause failure and/or mold to grow. I got colored caulk and white for around the tub. I used blue tape to make nice clean edges. It certainly wasn't simple, but here are the results. I am happy with it. I learned the key is remove the blue tape right away. Like within 5 mins. I waited a little to long on one edge and the caulk starts to dry and leaves a rougher edge near the tape. Nice job and thanks for posting the 'after' pics for us. Also, that 'remove the tape right away' trick you learned applies if you use it when painting as well. You're right Mitch, one of my guys started a cut in around some cabinets on Friday and was supposed to finish on Saturday. Something came up (always does) so he didn't get back until Monday. I gave him Frog tape to use to ensure he didn't get any on the wood cabinets. Well, as you would expect, it was cut and peel with fingernails time
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