Can i grout over caulk

Can I just caulk over this, or do I really need to remove the grout first? I would remove it first. It's alot more work but it'll end up looking neater and seal better. Although my tile guy recommended against it, I used clear caulk over grout once. After a few years, i don't remember how many, I got mold between the clear caulk and the grout.

Theoretically, you should use caulk, not grout, where one plane joins another, such as where the wall meets the tub and even where two walls meet. Grout will crack if there is any slight movement, so you're better off removing anything that's deteriorating. Despite that, I have used grout successfully on vertical corners in showers. I'd never use grout between a tub and a wall. If you want to get a nice look at a small extra expense, buy "grout caulk," which is caulk made by grout manufacturers to match shades of their grout.

Adam F. Getting rid of grout is easier than most people think. Use a carbide blade on an oscillating tool, rather than the purpose-made grout-removal blades they sell to mount on recipro saw. This is kind of why white as a bathroom grout color never goes out of style.

Tons of showers. I always grout, then a bead of clear silicone where the tub meets tile over the grout. Never had a call back. It keeps the grout from cracking, and makes for a water tight seal. Bob H. Matt M. I think I'll give it a try first. If the space is small, unsanded grout should be used. However, if it is large, sanded grout should be used.

An old toothbrush Bleach Caulk tube Caulking gun. Bleach is used for cleaning purposes. This would serve as a waterproof sealant. Caulking gun is a tool to caulk tube. Caulk Over Grout Process. Step 1. Step 2 Take a caulk tube and place it in your caulk gun. Step 3 Place the tip of the caulk gun against the end of a grout like at a degree angle and squeeze the trigger the caulk begins to come out of the end.

Step 4. Step 5. Conclusion That said, you can easily caulk over grout. Over time, your caulk can shrink and dry out, at which point it loses its ability to create a strong seal. When the material becomes compromised in this way, mold can get behind the caulk and start to grow. If left unchecked, mold can spread behind your walls or on your subfloor. When this happens, you will have a much bigger problem than just removing caulk or grout. A sign that you should replace your caulk is when it starts to curl up at the corners or turn brown.

You can also use clear silicone over existing grout to seal hairline cracks in corners. With practice, you can improve your technique and produce a consistent, clean line of caulk. You may opt to outsource this project to a handyman who can do the job quickly and well.

After you replace your caulk, you may also notice that you may have a gap between your tile and tub. Is this a problem, and if so, what should you do about it? Many bathrooms are built with an intentional gap between the wall tiles and the bathtub. This expansion joint allows for natural shifting and movement which can occur in your home over time.

Most of these cracks can be sealed with caulk. It stops grout from cracking. The wrong mixture of grout material can cause cracks. And, it happens more frequently than you would think. For example, sometimes cramped wiring may bring havoc in your shower pull switch. Now you might have to loosen the screws of the board to solve the shower pull switch breakage.

And loosing the screws may leave some gap around the switch board. Suppose your diverter fell out in the shower , causing your tiles to crack a bit on the side. Now you need something to fill that gap. So, caulk or grout?

Before using a product, we should know the basics about it. So, what is caulk? It can be used to seal joints of two different planes.

It is effective against the ceramic, metal glass, or wood. However, it is typically used as waterproof seals. Grout, on the other hand, is a mixture of water, cement, and sand. It creates a strong bond among the materials.

But only among the same plane. Caulk is better than grout for joints between two different planes. Caulk tends to shrink for changes in moisture and temperature. This may result in dirt and debris in the shower tile. Often your dehumidifier drain line gets clogged due to this problem.