Tile Grout Question

Posted by Ross Payne on February 24, 2007, 4:19 pm

A few years ago, I had ceramic tile installed in my house. In several places
the grout is cracking where it meets the baseboards (it's fine everywhere
else). I have tried regrouting those areas but they crack again. One
solution I thought of it to find a caulk that's close in color to that of
the grout and put the caulk in the cracks, being careful not to overdo it.
But first I'd like to ask if anyone has other ideas. I realize that the
ideal way to install the tile would have been to remove the baseboards first
and then put the baseboards back on top of the tile, but that isn't how it
was done. Thanks.

Ross

Posted by Oren on February 24, 2007, 4:30 pm

wrote:

>A few years ago, I had ceramic tile installed in my house. In several places
>the grout is cracking where it meets the baseboards (it's fine everywhere
>else). I have tried regrouting those areas but they crack again. One
>solution I thought of it to find a caulk that's close in color to that of
>the grout and put the caulk in the cracks, being careful not to overdo it.
>But first I'd like to ask if anyone has other ideas. I realize that the
>ideal way to install the tile would have been to remove the baseboards first
>and then put the baseboards back on top of the tile, but that isn't how it
>was done. Thanks.
>Ross

Perhaps you can add more water to the grout, make it more liquid and
pour it on to fill these few areas.

--
Oren

"My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland
and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore
excused from saving Universes."

Posted by gpsman on February 24, 2007, 4:48 pm

Silicone caulk is probably the way to go. It sounds as if you already
know caulking ain't as easy as it looks on tv. You might *drag* a
credit card-sized piece of plastic dipped in water from the corners
inward to smooth and remove any excess, followed by a wet finger,
followed by a damp rag, followed by a wet finger, until you achieve
the desired result.

Less is more, as long as the joint is filled.
-----

- gpsman

Posted by Charles Schuler on February 24, 2007, 5:28 pm

>A few years ago, I had ceramic tile installed in my house. In several
>places the grout is cracking where it meets the baseboards (it's fine
>everywhere else). I have tried regrouting those areas but they crack again.
>One solution I thought of it to find a caulk that's close in color to that
>of the grout and put the caulk in the cracks, being careful not to overdo
>it. But first I'd like to ask if anyone has other ideas. I realize that the
>ideal way to install the tile would have been to remove the baseboards
>first and then put the baseboards back on top of the tile, but that isn't
>how it was done. Thanks.

If all the cracks are close to the baseboard, I'd caulk them. Don't try a
touch-up job ... caulk that joint continuously.

1/ Use a color that is as close to the grout as you can find.
2/ Use water-base caulk.
3/ Wet the joint with a damp rag, before caulking.
4/ Trim the joint with a wet finger after caulking.
5/ Wipe the joint with a wet rag as a last step.

Practice on one section. You can easily remove it with a wet rag and start
over. If you are not good at these kinds of tasks, hire a handyman.

Posted by Ross Payne on February 24, 2007, 6:54 pm

Thanks. By "water-base" do you mean one without silicone (i.e., straight
latex, painter's caulk)?

>>A few years ago, I had ceramic tile installed in my house. In several
>>places the grout is cracking where it meets the baseboards (it's fine
>>everywhere else). I have tried regrouting those areas but they crack
>>again. One solution I thought of it to find a caulk that's close in color
>>to that of the grout and put the caulk in the cracks, being careful not to
>>overdo it. But first I'd like to ask if anyone has other ideas. I realize
>>that the ideal way to install the tile would have been to remove the
>>baseboards first and then put the baseboards back on top of the tile, but
>>that isn't how it was done. Thanks.

> If all the cracks are close to the baseboard, I'd caulk them. Don't try a
> touch-up job ... caulk that joint continuously.
> 1/ Use a color that is as close to the grout as you can find.
> 2/ Use water-base caulk.
> 3/ Wet the joint with a damp rag, before caulking.
> 4/ Trim the joint with a wet finger after caulking.
> 5/ Wipe the joint with a wet rag as a last step.
> Practice on one section. You can easily remove it with a wet rag and
> start over. If you are not good at these kinds of tasks, hire a handyman.
>

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