Just finished tiling a tub surround and second-guessing myself.
Used a 6″x 8″ tile with 1/8″ spacers and sanded grout, which was sealed a few days later. Will I end up with a higher occurance of mildew forming on this ground and/or grout failure, because I did not use say 1/16″`spacers with non-sanded grout?
Tark
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
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Replies
Tark - give me sanded any day, as it will reduce (eliminate...?) grout failure. Mold will appear no matter what, just keep it clean. I have mold on Kit and Bath caulk which has an inhibitor, so.... Another thing to bear in mind is that water - dependoing on your supply - will stain the grout over time. There are sealer/colourants that can be applied later if this occurs.
Too late for you, but if there are others thinking of grouting, then there are some 2-part epoxies that can be mixed into the grout that will almost eliminate grout discolouration through age. Snag being they will definitely change the initial colour, and, boy, are they a pain to work with!!
Ciao for niao
***I'm a contractor - but I'm trying to go straight!***
I guess a 1/8" joint has a better chance of both mildew and failure, however, I don't think there is any problem provided you applied the grout properly. You said in your post that you sealed the grout -- a step omitted by many; good that you did.
Handy formula for cleaning tile and grout and killing the mildew:
1 - cup Calgon dishwashing powder + 1 cup Chlorox bleach + 2 cups warm water. The Calgon cuts through any soap scum and starts cleaning process, Chlorox bleaches, continues cleaning and kills off the mildew.
Open the window, wear plastic / rubber gloves, goggles are a good idea, and old clothes (unless you like the white polka dot look). Sponge the solution onto the walls / floor, no heavy scrubbing required just keep it wet for a minute or so while the chemistry works. If mildew is really heavy (corners most likely) you may have to scrub a bit with an old toothbrush. Rinse, rinse, rinse.
Don't lose any sleep over the 1/8" tile joints, I think 6x8 tile with 1/16" joints would look out of proportion - MOO (my opinion only).
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
JTC1 and Pikopete,Thanks for the responses. I feel a lot better now. Not sure why I never noticed it before, but I was showering in one of our original showers that had 4x4 tiles with 1/16" grout lines, and it got me wondering, I mean worrying, no-no, I mean wondering. . .And now that you mention it, 1/16' lines would look a bit funny on a 6x8.I'll just keep that grout sealed. . .I just know my wife will make me clean any mildew that forms, since it will "be my fault"; and she knows I hate cleaning bathrooms. . .love building them though. . .Thanks!
anyone? U got 2 already.
anyways ... I use sanded when possible.
smaller than 1/8th ... unsanded.
bigger than 1/8th ... sanded.
1/8th ... your choice. I chose sanded when possible.
just seal ... and reseal ... then seal some more.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thanks. When I logged on, for some reason it did not show any responses, and then once I sent the bump, the other responses showed up.
Go figure.