Hey everyone, I've got a bit of an issue with my shower bench where the tile has started to lift, leaving a small gap. I was wondering if I should call a professional to regrout it, or if it's okay to just fill in that spot with some shower caulk? I did some more inspecting and noticed that the caulk on the sides is cracking, and the tiles aren't aligning as they should anymore. Here's a photo for reference: https://imgur.com/a/pXLvlLn and I updated it with a closer look: https://imgur.com/a/3pN6cZn. Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
You could definitely go with caulk for that area. Grout won't hold up well in the long run, especially if there's movement. But I have to point out that the reason the tiles might be separating could be due to moisture getting in, which could mean a bigger issue like swelling in the framing. If that's the case, you may need to consider a tear-out. If you do decide to caulk, there are color-matched caulks available that blend right in with grout, so it's worth checking at the tile store for that.
In situations like this, grout isn't really the best option, especially for corners where there's movement. It's better for solid areas. You should probably plan to use caulk, since it will keep the area sealed better against water. It’s smart to act quickly to prevent any further water damage!
I posted some more photos, and I think this issue might have been going on longer than I thought. Do you think I should just caulk the areas that are coming apart, or is it a ‘tear out’ situation?
It's a new build and it's been two years, so I'm assuming things are settling? That’s what I hoped at least 😐