skip to main content

Caulking Question ... Bill Vincent or others please help

15 years ago

We recently had our shower rebuilt and the grouted corners got hairline cracks. Our tile person came back, removed the grout and replaced it with siliconized ACRYLIC caulk, which now is getting fine cracks (24 hours later).

1)Should he have used siliconized LATEX caulk? What would you recommend we do?

2)Would you simply put another coat of caulk on top of what is there to cover the cracks? or should we remove the caulk and put a heavier coat in the space?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

nancyr
Original Author
15 years ago
bump ... help!!
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Acrylic caulk IS latex. I'd be curious to know why the caulking is cracking! is it actually cracking, or is it pulling away from one side or the other? If it's cracking I'd be curious as to how old it is.
Related Discussions
Bill Vincent question
Q
Comments (5)
Bill, Thanks for the advice. Very useful as always. Regarding thinsetting the Durock down, the Thermalboard instructions say not to thinset directly to the board because the aluminum coating will not provide a good bond. They were referring to thinsetting the tile I believe and not the backer board. What are my potential problems if we do not thinset the backerboard down? Thinsetting and then screwing I think it going to make it more likely that someone puts a screw through the pex tubing. Thanks again, Martin
...See More
PANIC! Please help me Bill Vincent who can help!
Q
Comments (1)
1. Unsanded grout is not prone to cracking if the grout joints aren't too big, generally 1/4" is too big for unsanded grout. There is no reason with marble tile the grout joints couldn't be 1/8" but using sanded grout at 1/8" could be an issue. Marble tiles are cut very precise but even at that a grout joint less than 1/8" could be tricky because the tiles precise as they are may not be all the same size exactly. A bigger issue with the sanded grout and the 1/4" joints is "scratching the tile surface". Sanded grout can easily scrath polished marble. This is one of the main reason marble is typically installed at 1/8" (or less) so that unsanded grout can be used. 2. If the size of the medallion is not an exact multiple (in both directions) of the field tiles being used then you can't have it both ways unless you trim the medallion. One other possibility however is to border the medallion with a tile that lends itself to allowing cuts in the tile field. Any natural stone will allow such field cuts. This way you can "force" the overall size of the medallion (including the border) to equal the dimensions necessary to match the field tiles.
...See More
Bill Vincent (or other tilers), a tile sliver question for you...
Q
Comments (3)
my answer doesn't seem to be showing up to anyone other than myself, so here it is again, copied and pasted: o RE: Bill Vincent (or other tilers), a tile sliver question for yo Brought to you by clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by bill_vincent (billvincent@hotmail.com) on Sun, Jun 8, 08 at 12:57 There's two things you could've done to make it a little better. Normally, it's a no brainer-- split the difference, so that you have a 2" piece, top and bottom. But in this case, that would've ended up putting a sliver at the bottom of the window. If were up to me, I would've started the full tile at the bottom of the window. That would've given you another 1/4", anyway, from looking at the photo. Secondly, where the tile comes out past the cabinet, I'd have used tiles bullnosed on the 6" side, made the sliver that comes out from underneath the cabinet an "L" cut, and then a full piece of bullnose to end into the other window. I'm sorry-- I don't mean to tear your work apart, but you asked. :-) Other than that, it looks good! :-)
...See More
Bill Vincent - Please help with glass tile backsplash
Q
Comments (3)
We did our backsplash a couple of months ago. It is 1" x 12" glass tiles that came on a sheet of mesh. I'm not sure if the mesh is the membrane they are talking about. I would ask your guy to use the membrane even though he feels it isn't necessary, I think it would make you feel better or you wouldn't be asking the question. Also we used white thinset. It looks great! Good luck!
...See More
nancyr
Original Author
15 years ago
Below are a couple of pics showing the corner cracks.
I spoke with the manufacturer and determined that the caulk was made in December, 2008. They then connected me to their Technical people who said that from what I told them about the cracking, the caulk was too thinly applied. They recommended we remove the caulk and clean the surface with a solution of Clorox and water. After letting the surface dry completely, we should then reapply the caulk - this time being sure to give it a generous coat. They said that while caulk can accomodate a certain amount of "movement," the coat needs to be sufficient to withstand the movement.
Does this sound correct to you? any other suggestions? Thanks so much for your help!!

{{gwi:1394902}}

{{gwi:1394904}}
bill_vincent
15 years ago
That sounds to me like "rep speak" for "No Hablo Englais". From your pics, there appears to be nothing wrong with the application of the caulk. Keep the pics, and do as they recommend. Cut out the old caulking, clean it well as they recommend, and then recaulk it, taking pics at each step. MAKE SURE you photo-document it, so if they try to give you a line again, you can show them it's most certainly the product.

Just out of curiosity, whose product is it?
nancyr
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much for help ... the caulk that was used is from ColorFast Industries Inc. out of Fort Worth, TX. Are you familiar with ColorFast?

The grout brand we used is MAPEI. The grout looks nice (except the two corners).
Thanks again.
jdplumb
15 years ago
Your first post said this was inside a shower stall. High moisture and high rates of expansion and contraction. Most manufacturers recommend 100% silicone bath and tile caulking in corners. ( no grout ) I have had great results with epoxy grouts if you can find your color selection. A bit more labor intensive but well worth it. Check with a local tile distributor. Difference between sanded and unsanded.
jdplumb
15 years ago
I think Lowes carries Laticrete Products.
nancyr
Original Author
15 years ago
jdplumb, thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your input on Laticrete Products ... I will check out their line of products.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Most manufacturers recommend 100% silicone bath and tile caulking in corners. ( no grout ) I have had great results with epoxy grouts if you can find your color selection. A bit more labor intensive but well worth it. Check with a local tile distributor. Difference between sanded and unsanded.

For residential applications, siliconized latex is more than sufficient. As for the epoxy grout, it's my opinion that with a few specific exceptions, in residential installations, it's expensive overkill. As for differences in the grouts, those of you who aren't familiar with them, you can check it out in the FAQ's on the gallery side of this forum.

As for Colorfast and Mapei, yes, I'm familiar with both of them, and the only times I've ever had problems with Colorfast's caulkings was when it was old. I've yet to ever see what I'm seeing in the pictures up above.

Related Stories

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

WORKING WITH PROS 12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You

By Mike Dietrich

The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

REMODELING GUIDES Survive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions

By Mitchell Parker

Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

By Mink Home Staging

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best

Sponsored

More Discussions

Minimum space between backlit led mirror and wall

1

Rohl Antique Gold - What is Similar in Other Brands?

0

remodeling basement bathroom.

0

Bathroom mat colour suggestions

0

Kohler Levity Plus sliding bath door for Kohler Underscore bath tub?

0