Appreciation post: My $12 tube of clear silicone saved a whole bathroom floor

People keep using that white grout caulk around tubs and it cracks in a year. I saw it fail in my own guest bath after six months. The clear silicone sticks better and moves with the house. It's been three years now with no leaks. Anyone got a different fix for that gap?

3 comments

3 Comments

laura_allen12d ago

My old landlord used that white grout caulk everywhere and it was a constant battle. It always shrank and pulled away from the tile. I switched to 100% silicone for my own place, the kind labeled for kitchens and baths. The key is to clean the gap really well with rubbing alcohol first so it actually sticks. It stays flexible forever so it doesn't crack when the floor moves. I'll never go back to the other stuff, it's just a waste of time.

jesse_green5512d ago

Yeah that "grout caulk" stuff is the worst! Just a heads up though, even 100% silicone can crack if the gap is too wide. If it's over like a quarter inch, you might need backer rod first.

henderson.oscar12d agoTop Commenter

Yeah, that "clean the gap really well" step is SO important, people skip it and wonder why it fails.