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March 6, 2008
Bath Caulking
I'm looking for recommendations on what brand or specific kind of caulking is best for bathtub and floor. Any advice or tips on actually doing the caulking would also be appreciated.
Comments
Try not to use caulk in the bathroom. Re grout if possible.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 8:14 PM
We seem to have some confusion here... you caulk the bathtub/wall intersection. You grout the floor tiles. White caulk should do it, anything silicone.
Posted by: denton at March 6, 2008 8:48 PM
OP here - The grout between the tub and tile and also the entire corner intersection where the two walls of tile meet are crumbling. The same exact thing is happening to floor where the floor tiles end and the wall tiles begin. I hope I'm not making this even more confusing and describing this correctly. lol Anyway I was told by two people that these areas need caulking and not grout. Help!
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 9:42 PM
OP - The advice you were given is correct, as far as I know. Tiles have grout between them, but wherever there's a 90-degree corner, you should use a matching caulking. It's flexible and won't crumble out of the joint.
Not to worry you, but we had a bathroom ceiling partially collapse due to water, because the relatively recently-tiled bathroom above had the bathtub corners grouted (which started popping out), and they didn't caulk around the bathtub fixtures behind the decorative flanges.
I don't have a brand to recommend, but if your grout is colored or sanded, you may be able to get a matching caulk that looks like the grout. Otherwise a good mildew-resistent tube shouldn't cost more than $4 or $5, and you should only need one for a bathtub.
Posted by: Heatherie at March 7, 2008 10:31 AM
Thank you all for responding. Now I need to find someone who will do a very neat job of caulking and please do not even suggest I do it myself. LOL
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:21 PM
Oh, it's not difficult to caulk the tub yourself. I'm planning on doing it in my bathroom, and I'm not a plumber or handyman. You just scrape out the old caulk, clean the crevice well, apply the new caulk and if necessary smooth it with the appropriate tool or even your finger (wear a latex glove). It should be fine.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 1:26 PM
Yeah, I've caulked tubs more than once. It isn't hard at all.
But, if you are a perfectionist like me, it takes hours to get it smooth (I use my fingers, no latex, I know, stupid, it's silicone, but I've no ill effects so far), and I end up with caulk all over my clothes and skin. It washes off (skin anyway, wear old clothes). Ends up looking great every time.
But if you aren't the do it yourself sort who likes getting dirty and spending your time that way (I know people like that), then by all means pay a handyperson.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 7:50 PM
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