Hey everyone! I recently renovated my bathroom and got a fully tiled shower using the Schluter system for waterproofing. However, I noticed there's just grout where the walls meet the floor and no caulk. I'm curious if this is okay because I thought caulk was necessary in that area, especially with standard shower bases. Does the Schluter system handle this, or should I be removing the grout and adding caulk at that junction? Any insights would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Guys, just a heads up, the grout cracking is mainly an aesthetic issue. But if you’re worried about mold and cleaning it yearly, caulking would definitely help. Keep in mind that grout absorbs water, and it can stay trapped behind the caulk, which is a recipe for mold problems!
I second that! The silicone you put in those areas is mainly for movement. Grout can crack over time, and if it does, you’ll find mold growing there. I'd recommend either replacing the grout with silicone or just putting silicone on top of the existing grout. I’d get a professional to fix it if you can—just make sure they use 100% silicone instead of regular caulk which tends to crack too.
Great question! You're right that caulk is typically used at the junctions where there's movement, like corners, instead of just grout. Your Schluter system gives you the waterproof membrane you need, so technically, you could shower directly on it. But it’s a good idea to add caulk there to allow for movement and prevent any future cracking or mold issues. Definitely something to think about!