Grout for shower, stain-proofing vs drying time tradeoff
Ali
5 years ago
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Ali
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Another bathroom grout vs. caulk question!
Comments (4)Thank-you. The company sent me the wrong item, I asked for the Laticrete Latasil Silicone Caulk Sealant, but they just sent regular Laticrete, which is OK since it will also get used. The shower is waterproofed to our city code standards, but various contractors waterproof showers "properly" in other methods. So far no water seems to get in behind the wall, it's very dry back in there and we don't use the shower at all when cracks appear - not until it is repaired. A tile contractor (the only one I can find who's website says they do "tile repair" and that comes recommended) said he actually won't come and make these kinds of repairs, he will repair his own work but that of others he removes and re-does it all, because he wants to be able to guarantee the work. I have not found anyone else willing to do the repair. So it's up to me, and I just want to make sure I have what it takes before tackling it! Thank-you for your advice about the caulk....See MoreCultured Marble vs onyx collection vs solid surface shower pan
Comments (78)Lenore, who is installing the granite slab shower? Start there and make your priority be hiring a VERY experienced tile professional - one you have vetted carefully to insure that their qualifications meet your design requirements and product selections. Stone slab installations are not for the B team, and especially in a wet area. Can it be done? Yes, depending upon the structure over which a solid surface stone is installed and the methods used. We install solid surface shower walls regularly, but from an empty cavity which we build to meet all specific design and installation specifications, including the pan. A solid stone slab cannot be supported by the pan (it is not meant to support a slab wall). A slab wall is pinned and tied so it is self supported, not supported by a pan. This is a very complex installation. A LOT to consider. As one example, the thickness of your slab? 2cm. 3cm? (effects the weight load on the space). And I could go on. After you have carefully vetted the qualified tile contractor, have this conversation with them. If you question or want to clarify their recommendations, check back or seek professional advice from other qualified sources. Please consult with a professional onsite. Good luck with your project....See MoreMoisture getting into shower stall grout?
Comments (13)Water will always get through grout. Grout is porous and you can't possibly seal it enough to prevent it from absorbing some water. In a properly constructed shower, the water will evaporate back out of the grout, or travel all the way through to the water proof barrier, down the wall, down the slope of the floor and out the weep holes at the drain. Since you have a crack there, the path is short-circuited a bit, and water is entering through the crack as well. The change in plane between a wall and the floor should NOT be grouted. It should be caulked. Unless you have an old-time mud job, which you don't, the floor and walls of your shower will move independently of each other and cracks will appear at the corners. The grout needs to be dug out and replaced with caulk. Do not just caulk over the top of the grout. You can buy sanded caulk to match your grout. While you are at it, the changed in plane where two walls meet should be caulked, not grouted, as well....See MoreBest kind of grout to use in a shower?
Comments (25)Your welcome. Many products come and go in this industry. Products that will be going in the next ten years (my opinion) will be these grouts like Fusion and the foam boards like Kerdi Board. My thoughts. Epoxy grout is not hard to install. Only thing is that you need to clean well. I find a microfiber rag is the best thing to use. Custom Colour: 87.5% Bright White 12.5% Sautrene This is just installed. I set the grout - that took 30 minutes to place it. Then I cleaned the bucket and the grout float. Then I used fresh water and no cleaning agent to do a pre wash. Just the centers of the tiles not the grout joints. Then I cleaned the bucket and set up the initial wash with the cleaning package ad mix. This is when I shape the grout joints and clean up nice. Then you clean the bucket and set up the final wash. You wait an hour for this. After the final wash with the proper ad mix agent I go back right away with the microfibre rag. You feel areas the sponge missed. The micro finer rag leaves the floors flawless. Not a Laticrete spec but something taught to me by a pro. Once you go Microfiberrag - you can not grout the same way ever again. Even with cemenitous grout I do this. I have another grout job this Sunday or Monday. I take a quick video and post it here so you can see what I do. Maybe it changes your mind about Epoxy grout. I used to hate grouting. Hate the unknowns. The random colour changes on and on. Then I tried SpectraLock Pro by Laticrete. Now I can custom make colours and get the same perfect results every time. I just don't use it for steam shower builds. That's it....See MoreCreative Tile Eastern CT
5 years agoAvanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
5 years agoDebbi Washburn
5 years agoAli
5 years ago
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