Grout cracked where walls meet

[JulesA]

Hi

I've noticed that the grout has cracked most of the way down where two walls meet in the area around the shower. It's not a power shower and water isn't running down the wall, but obviously it is getting splashed. See pictures of crack. Second one a close-up, if it helps.

What should I do so water doesn't get behind the tiles? I think I read on other posts people saying there should be silicone in the corner and not grout? So could I just silicone over the grout? And in that case could use Ottoseal S70 as between the bath and the tiles, or would I need a different type of silicone?

Or is there a better and more long-lasting solution?

I posted elsewhere about how to replace the sealant on the tiles. Maybe redoing that would do enough to keep it waterproof? But I'm not hopeful.

Thanks for any help!

 

[peterwhayward]

Should always silicon where walls or floors (ceilings not so important) meet as natural movement in a house will crack the grouting, even so called flexible grouting. Better quality silicon with a anti mould spec is best.(loads to choose from). Hope this helps.

 

[White Room]

Ottoseal S70 would be fine for natural stone....

 

[JulesA]

Thanks!

Could you give me any tips for doing it. I don't want to make a mess of it.

I assume to begin with I need to get silicone the same colour as the grout? White will look horrible.

Do I need to take out the grout that's there? Or is it ok to put it on top as there's space in between the tiles to put it in? And use masking tape to get a straight line?

Thanks.

 

[White Room]

I would remove the old grout to allow the silicone to fill the joint...

 

[JulesA]

Thanks! - and don't suppose you could point me to a post where this is covered? I'm sure it has been. I have no idea how to do this!

 

[White Room]

You could try one of these, it's for cutting hardie backer board and easily available from most tiling suppliers and can be used to scrape the grout out but be careful and don't scrape the face of your tiles.

​

 

[JulesA]

Thanks for your help.

I'll have a look for one of those.

 

[Sean Kelly]

Jules,
Try not to use the shower until you have completed the following.
Remove old grout with a Hardiebacker knife (as above). about £7
If you just silicone over the old cracking grout then there is chance that the grout will break out through the silicone and water will get in.
Clean the grout line with methylated spirit.
Then silicone down the line (look on youtube for how to do this).

Is the bottom of the tray (where the wall tiles meet the tray) siliconed? It is normal practice to silicone any joints that may get wet.

Alternatively, call a tiler!

Good luck.

 

[JulesA]

Thanks Sean.

Just thought - if I need to reseal the tiles, should I do the resealing before or after doing the silicone? Or doesn't it matter? It won't stop the silicone sticking?

 

[JulesA]

Oh, and the shower is in a bath. And fortunately there is silicone round the bath where it meets the tiles. I've just redone it! With advice on a sealant to use with natural stone from here - thanks guys!

 

[White Room]

I've done both so either way, you may find sealing before hand easier but make sure the sealer is dry before using the silicone...

Disregard my last.

 

[JulesA]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Stef]

Did you pay a professional tiler to carry out this job or was it DIY project?

 

[White Room]

Did you pay a professional tiler to carry out this job or was it DIY project?

I know exactly where your going on this one Rob... [MENTION=29939]Stef[/MENTION]

 

[prceramics]

topps have started selling a silicone suitable for natural stone its about a £10 a pop trade

 

[JulesA]

Hi

Neither! I inherited it from the previous owners.

I wouldn't attempt tiling! But I'll probably do the silicone.

 

[JulesA]

topps have started selling a silicone suitable for natural stone its about a £10 a pop trade

That's interesting - I went in there a few months ago, looking for sealant for natural stone and they told me it didn't matter, I could use anything I wanted. As their helpline had told me to be careful what I used I just left and didn't buy any.

 

[prceramics]

Yeah they like to change there minds

 

[White Room]

topps have started selling a silicone suitable for natural stone its about a £10 a pop trade

I went into my local Topps and did'nt have a clue about there silicone on natural stone...

 

[prceramics]

 

[prceramics]

dont really see the problem myself if the tiles have two coats of sealer prior to silicone ?