Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Caulk or grout between tile and tub?

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1jackw
10-18-09, 06:09 PM
I think I've heard that grout should be used between tile and a tub surround, which is what I currently have. My problem is there is a small gap between the existing grout and the tub, and water has seeped into the gap and has stained the ceiling below. Should I caulk over the existing grout to prevent any more water from leaking into the floor? If so, what type of caulk is recommended? I have two kids ages 7 and 9, so getting them to keep all the water off the floor is not really an option.

Thanks for any advice you have.

Just Bill
10-19-09, 04:25 PM
Caulk, a non-hardening type caulk like silicon or siliconized latex. The tub is mounted to the floor the walls are not, sortof. These two surfaces expand/contract at different rates/directions. Grout will not survive for long.
SteamShowerGuy
10-23-09, 02:35 PM
I personally would use grout then caulk over the grout.

spdavid
10-23-09, 02:42 PM
No caulking over grout doesn't eliminate grout cracking under expansion and contraction stresses.If you were lucky the overlaying caulk would cover the crack but why take the chance?You could probably leave the already pulled open grout there now and caulk over that but regrouting wouldn't help for very long.