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Tile shower curb grout cracked, hollow inside. What are my options?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi! I have a tile shower curb and I noticed that all the grout on the inside top corner was all cracked and breaking away. The shower is 4 years old and I discovered this problem when I was preparing to reseal the floor area with silicone. It appears that a portion of the curb interior is hollow, and if I push really hard the top piece of tile will flex a bit. What are my options to fix this?

In this picture, the hollow area seems to be where I have placed the red line. I would estimate it's about approximately 1"x1" hollow section running where the line is. If I tap the bottom half of the vertical tile it sounds like there is backing material behind it.

If I install new grout, I'm assuming I'll have the same problem eventually. Perhaps I could try to pack as much grout as I can into the void?

Featured Answer

Jeff Meeks

last year

I would carefully remove the tile and see whats happening underneath.

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Comments (8)

Mike
last year
last modified: last year
The problem is that they used grout at all, especially on a surface that's got some flex. You should always use sanded caulk when you've got a change in plane like that. Check the tile section of your local box store-- they'll have many colors and you'll probably find a close match. Check online for reviews of the color you're thinking of buying before you go to get a sense of the true color-- the labels aren't very informative.

They should also have colored silicone in the same section which would work too and will probably last longer, especially if that curb gets a lot of water. Silicone is a little harder to work with though, and doesn't have the sand in it to replicate the look of grout.
HU-87977536 thanked Mike
HU-87977536
Original Author
last year
Thanks a lot Mike. I am going to use silicone, especially since you can't see this area.
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Really recommend you get an onsite inspection, analysis and discussion with a very qualified tile contractor (not the folks who performed the work). There are several approaches to this. None are effortless, but onsite is a must, and a pro is a must. You already know you have issues. No more advice from the internet will solve them. If you are near any of these certified contractors, that is one place to start. https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/find-certified-tile-installers Or referrals from trusted sources locally. Where did you buy the tile? If it is a quality tile supplier, they may be able to provide you with the "A list". And yes, re-visit the "curbless" in your situation. At the very least, a small threshold, but this can be discussed along with the other issues with the Pro.
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
I'd have a solid color solid surface threshold fabricated with drop edges that overlap the verticle tile. Not a fan of tile-on-the-flat.
HU-87977536 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
kudzu9
last year
I had the same problem years ago and it was due to improper waterproofing of the curb. The curb was constructed of 2X4's and, once moisture started getting through, the wood swelled and broke the bond of the tile. The only solution was a tearout and redo.
HU-87977536 thanked kudzu9
Verbo
last year
Wood curbs rot out and are hollow inside when the shower isn’t waterproofed properly. I’d suspect that the build quality as a whole is the main issue.
HU-87977536 thanked Verbo
User
last year
What Joseph said
HU-87977536 thanked User
PRO
Stonetech/Avanti Tile
last year
Best resource for a perfect color matching silicone (sanded or unsanded) is www.colorriteinc.com Available online and give them the grout company, grout name and/or number and they can accommodate you....
HU-87977536 thanked Stonetech/Avanti Tile

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