Title of Question:
Caulking over grout
Name:Gil City: Stamford, CT
|
| Question: I removed the grout from around my bathtub and found grout underneath. Do I have to remove the grout and, if so, what is the easiest way to do it? It is very hard to scrape off. Thanks |
Post Your Answer To The Question Above:
| Answer: Hi Gil! Most tile professionals tend to agree that you should not apply caulk over grout. You should use grout between tiles as long as all of the tiles are in the same plane (no corners). At corners where two walls of tile meet, or at the intersection of tile with another material (as is the case with your bathtub), you should use caulk, but no grout. The issue with using the caulk over the grout is that the seal between them tends to be imperfect. Water can get in through the larger pores of the grout, and it stays there, held by the outer layer of caulk. To remove your grout, you'll want to use a grout scraper with a carbide tip. If you cannot find one of these at your hardware or tile store, try using a small standard screwdriver as a chisel, gently tapping it with a hammer. Once you've gotten some substantial grout chunks out, you'll want to chisel from the remaining grout outward rather than at an angle toward the remaining grout, which might seem counterintuitive, but will actually minimize the risk of chipping the tiles. No matter what tool you use, lay down a drop cloth over the surface of the tub first to protect it and to make clean-up easier once the job is done. |
|
