As you will likely be connecting two different materials together (the tub and your tiles) there will be a gap between them which you should aim to close to avoid water damage.
Aim to use caulk to connect the tiles and the tub as it’s more flexible should that gap widen over time where as grout is not as flexible.
If the tub link gets caulked, water cannot escape through the underlying grout seam, and moisture builds up, feeding the mold that eventually forms.
As a result, if you have a tiled tub surround, keep the grout clean but just do not caulk the seam and the unit will operate far better.
Water cannot seep out via the underlying grout joint if the tub/tile contact is caulked, and moisture accumulates up, feeding the mold that finally grows.
So, if you have a tile tub enclosure, keep the grout in good shape but do not caulk the connection, and the enclosure will behave much better.
Do you use Caulk or grout on shower corners?
It is nevertheless incorrect in many circumstances, no matter how commonplace or reasonably rational it appears to be. If the wall is a one-piece sheet or enclosure, caulking this connection is acceptable, but it should not be done with tile.
Water cannot penetrate the wall because of the grout joints, but any small amount that does can evaporate and/or weep out along the bottom.
If the tub/tile connection is caulked, water cannot wick out via the bottom grout joint, allowing moisture to build up and eventually feed mold.
I’m sure you’ve all seen that grey discolored caulk stains that you swear is “behind” the caulk—-and that you can’t get rid of? In addition, you would be correct—hidden it is below the caulk.
Distinguish between grout and caulk
Caulk is made out of versatile resins like silicone or polyurethane, which allows it to move around.
Grout, but from the other hand, is made from a mixture of water, cement, and sand.
Because such combinations are less flexible than caulk, they harden. Although grout can survive water, it is not impervious to it.
When it pertains to grout, especially tile grout, the best strategy is to totally immerse it for a longer duration before it becomes sensitive to letting water through.
Validation
Grout and caulk are two different types of materials. You can renovate or reinstall a tub if you live in an older building with an antique bathroom.
Do you know when you should apply grout or caulk on your tub? Grout keeps the water outside from floors and walls while also brightening them up.
Grout requires a fissure to “grip onto” and can help prevent tile edges from cracking. Due to the lack of latex in grout, it is prone to cracking when subjected to movement.
After decades of use, grout can become discoloured and dirty.
Caulk, from the other hand, is flexible and impermeable.
Caulk is strong and pliable enough to join two types of materials, connectors, and edges together to prevent air and water leaks.
Caulk is useful in a multitude of situations all around household, particularly around the bathtub.
Caulk can also be used to protect windows and doors while also protecting drains pipelines, bathtubs, and plumbing fixtures from water leakage.
Understanding the differences between grout and caulk, and also the suitable way for each is critical when planning a home renovation project or perhaps completing routine maintenance around your bathtub.
We will discuss whether caulk or grout is better, and what to do if you notice a crack between your bathtub tile and the tub.
Can I Caulk Over Grout Around Tub?
Homeowners frequently discuss their abilities to put caulk over grouted areas.
Caulk is usually applied all around the periphery of your tiles where they touch your tub. In those cases, you will most likely apply caulk in places in which there is also grout.
A specialist, on the other hand, would not recommend sealing broken grout with caulking.
The reason you should not be using caulk to repair grout is that you can inadvertently create the perfect growth environment for fungi.
With time, your caulk may shrivel and dry up, losing its ability to form a strong seal.
If the caulk is compromised in this way, mould can get under it and start to grow. If left unchecked, mould can spread beneath your walls or through your basements.
Do You Caulk or Grount Around Tub?
Ultimately, if you’re certain you have symmetrical troweling, don’t reroute the heel of your barrier; instead, use a grout sealer to re-seal the grout inside the entire wall, then silicone caulk all around entire base of your bathtub.
Remove and reapply the caulking about once a year.
Because you have scraped the grout, you can adapt appropriate caulk to the area using the instructions we provided earlier.
Ensure to move efficiently because caulk can get sticky if left out in the open for too long, making it difficult to achieve a flawless finish.
