Grout verses silicone around tub

Vicki Cali
by Vicki Cali
which do you recommend ? Currently loose & moldy. Been told neither lasts for any amount of time, so what do we do???
  18 answers
  • Paticia G Paticia G on Nov 27, 2015
    I don't really have an answer for you but I have seen the same problem with mold- In my experience they all seem to yellow- have you looked into that spray stuff that comes in a can in blk, white and clear
  • Lori Lukes Kelly Lori Lukes Kelly on Nov 27, 2015
    I would use silicone caulk
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 27, 2015
    Silicone should be used. It will keep any water from penetrating .
  • AKP AKP on Nov 27, 2015
    Silicone is the best route, and there are tons of "how-to" posts online to get it done right. From the research I have done, this is a maintenance activity - you need to do it every couple of years or so. I think once you get that idea cemented into your head, it just makes it a little easier when those moldy spots pop up. It isn't necessarily that something was done wrong or the wrong product was used, its just normal. That is what the pros say anyway.
  • Doug Doug on Nov 27, 2015
    use aquarium sealer it's more expensive but last a little longer ,silicone breaks its bond after about 6 months
  • Sta3110539 Sta3110539 on Nov 27, 2015
    Silicone is not the right product. It doesn't stick well, which is why it peels off. And, because of that, it let's water get behind it and start mold. Use buytl caulking instead.
  • Ray Phillips Ray Phillips on Nov 27, 2015
    As a retired builder, get the old grout out and clean the tile and tub with bleach and then wash with warm water. and make sure it is dry before you do anything else. you might want to dry with a hair dryer then you can get a silicone tub sealer that will last a long time. but you will have to do this every few years until they come up with some thing that will stick to tile and tub. Don't know when that will be. Hope this helps.
    • Vicki Cali Vicki Cali on Nov 27, 2015
      This is the experience we all need, however, I would hate to do all that digging out , which I've done previously , and it didn't really last but a few years. I'm wondering if silicone or caulk would give me at least 5yrs! By then, I'll re do the whole darn bathroom! Many thx..
  • Ssreno Ssreno on Nov 27, 2015
    I just researched this same issue and we decided to use siliconized sanded grout. It comes in a tube (caulk gun-type) and is available in a multitude of colors.
    • Vicki Cali Vicki Cali on Nov 27, 2015
      I have seen this awhile back, but didn't know if it was any good. Guess it is. Well, another option...still don't know what is the right choice
  • Jhmarie Jhmarie on Nov 27, 2015
    The area between the tub and the tile needs to be able to flex a bit. Partly because the tub moves with the change of weight when filled with water, and partly because houses are made of wood, and at right angles can move in different directions. I have a deck that runs around my master bath and the grout cracked where the deck meets the wall because it is a right angle. Caulk is flexible but grout is not, so caulk needs to used around tubs and at right angles. There is regular latex tub and tile caulk and there is silicone caulk. I use the regular latex or siliconized latex caulk because this is a maintenance job and needs to be done every few years. The silicone caulk works fine, but it is really, really hard to get it totally removed to apply a new bead of caulk when it is time to do this chore again. The latex caulk is easier to remove making the chore go faster. There are some good tutorials online for applying caulk. Put painter's tape a little less than 1/4 inch on each side of the seam. Apply the caulk as neatly as possible and run a slightly damp finger along the seam to smooth it out. Have a damp rag nearby to clean off your finger now and then. Remove the tape right away - don't let the caulk dry on the tape. Sometimes after removing the tape you will want to do one light pressure swipe with your damp finger along the seam to flatten any ridges caused by the tape.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Nov 27, 2015
    I just used bathroom silicone on mine, it looked good for over 7 years, and I did it myself without calling one of the boys to do it for me... it was simple easy and looks great.
  • Sharon Texada Sharon Texada on Nov 27, 2015
    I would use silicone. My husband and I built our own home from start to finish and used silicone and have had no trouble.
  • Millie Millie on Nov 27, 2015
    I have a suggestion regarding the flexing issue that occurs with water and human weight in the tub. Gather all your supplies, run the tub full of water, step in and caulk the tub. Leave the water in the tub while the caulking dries. Perhaps this would help?
  • Vicki Cali Vicki Cali on Nov 27, 2015
    Thank you all for your help........
  • Carol Carol on Nov 28, 2015
    I have found silicone caulk to be more difficult to work with than tub 'n tile caulk and it is harder to remove when that becomes necessary. jhmarie gave excellent advice on how to do the job. I actually enjoy caulking!
  • Mommaduck Mommaduck on Nov 29, 2015
    DON'T USE grout around tub edge. By nature when you stand in the tub and/or fill with water, the tub"moves". Grout doesn't. Always use caulking. Be sure surface is clean (use alcohol) and area must be dry (as in don't use for at least a day before). Line area above and below where caulk should go with painters tape. Caulk. Wipe with wet finger. Pull off tape and let dry. When in doubt on house repairs this old house is a great resource
  • Nancy Garrison Nancy Garrison on Nov 30, 2015
    Hi Vicki. Last year in October we had our bathroom remodeled by my father n law. Out came the old ugly blue tub and in went a beautiful white tub. He used grout around the entire tub. And while the tile walls are holding up fine, all the grout sealing up the sides of the tub cracked and fell off. We ended up caulking the tub. I was bummed but at least it's still beautiful and sealed up!
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Dec 06, 2015
    Silicone caulking, by all means. My suggestion has to do with maintaining the caulking as long as possible. To delay having to do this chore again, make sure to wipe or squeegee dry the tub/shower after you use it. This minimizes the moisture that bacteria love to grow on and form mold. Do whatever you can to eliminate the moisture in the bathroom, whether it's moist towels, wet rugs or beads of water.
  • Vicki Cali Vicki Cali on Dec 06, 2015
    Thk u. . I was debating on getting a squeegee. Now, I definitely will.... Thx