Flooring Tile - Sealing Grout / Caulking Questions
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Tomel
05-30-09, 07:05 AM
I've done a search on this forum and read through numerous threads, but still have a few questions.
I will be moving into a new home soon and plan to seal the grout in the ceramic tile floors and the ceramic tile bath and shower enclosures. My questions are as follows:
1. There is caulk in certain parts of the shower and bath. For instance, where the wall adjoins the shower pan. It will be almost impossible to completely seal the grout on the tile walls without getting any sealer on the caulk. Will this harm the caulk in any way? If so, how do I seal the grout all the way down to the caulk without getting any sealer on the caulk?
2. In the past, I've had problem with mold or mildew in the shower despite using a squeegee, then drying the shower with a towel and also running the exhaust fan. In most instances I can remove the mold/mildew with something like Tilex. However, the mold/mildew has, at times, penetrated the caulk and is impossible to remove. Is there any way to prevent mold/mildew from penetrating the caulk right from the start in my new home? Some kind of caulk sealer? Some technique in cleaning that I haven't tried?
Thanks for any responses.
I will be moving into a new home soon and plan to seal the grout in the ceramic tile floors and the ceramic tile bath and shower enclosures. My questions are as follows:
1. There is caulk in certain parts of the shower and bath. For instance, where the wall adjoins the shower pan. It will be almost impossible to completely seal the grout on the tile walls without getting any sealer on the caulk. Will this harm the caulk in any way? If so, how do I seal the grout all the way down to the caulk without getting any sealer on the caulk?
2. In the past, I've had problem with mold or mildew in the shower despite using a squeegee, then drying the shower with a towel and also running the exhaust fan. In most instances I can remove the mold/mildew with something like Tilex. However, the mold/mildew has, at times, penetrated the caulk and is impossible to remove. Is there any way to prevent mold/mildew from penetrating the caulk right from the start in my new home? Some kind of caulk sealer? Some technique in cleaning that I haven't tried?
Thanks for any responses.
HotinOKC
05-30-09, 04:54 PM
1. Sealer won't harm the caulking.
2. Where is the mold at, floor level? Sealer should be reapplied once a year, depending on brand of sealer. Don't get the cheap stuff, spend the extra money and get either Impregnator 411 from HD, or a StoneTech sealer.
2. Where is the mold at, floor level? Sealer should be reapplied once a year, depending on brand of sealer. Don't get the cheap stuff, spend the extra money and get either Impregnator 411 from HD, or a StoneTech sealer.
JazMan
05-31-09, 07:29 PM
1. Right, sealer won't hurt the caulk, and don't forget you'll be wiping off any that does absorb within minutes.
2. I suspect the past problems with mold are due more to the method of the installation and not your maintenance. I will bet the substrate of the old shower were built the "old" fashioned way, and were not waterproofed. Perhaps there was greenboard behind there someplace? :thumbdn:
That is why I will only built Kerdi showers now. Waterproof, watertight.....no problems!:thumbup:
Do you know how this new shower was built?
Jaz
2. I suspect the past problems with mold are due more to the method of the installation and not your maintenance. I will bet the substrate of the old shower were built the "old" fashioned way, and were not waterproofed. Perhaps there was greenboard behind there someplace? :thumbdn:
That is why I will only built Kerdi showers now. Waterproof, watertight.....no problems!:thumbup:
Do you know how this new shower was built?
Jaz
Tomel
06-01-09, 06:10 AM
Thanks for your responses.
Regarding the mold/mildew problem. The problem I'm having is with the clear caulk (at least I assume it's a type of caulk) that holds the glass in the shower door frame. Mold/mildew has penetrated this clear caulk and it cannot be removed. I'm hoping to avoid this same problem occurring when I move into my new home and would like any suggestions. The white caulk that was used between the shower door frame and the shower pan and between the walls and the shower pan don't have the same problem. Some minor mold/mildew does form on this white caulk at times, but it is on the surface and can easily be removed using Tilex.
Regarding the mold/mildew problem. The problem I'm having is with the clear caulk (at least I assume it's a type of caulk) that holds the glass in the shower door frame. Mold/mildew has penetrated this clear caulk and it cannot be removed. I'm hoping to avoid this same problem occurring when I move into my new home and would like any suggestions. The white caulk that was used between the shower door frame and the shower pan and between the walls and the shower pan don't have the same problem. Some minor mold/mildew does form on this white caulk at times, but it is on the surface and can easily be removed using Tilex.