FAO: DIYers - Grout & Silicone Sealant

SidewinderINC · 30-03-2011, 18:16

Ahoy hoy,

I'm doing a spot of fixing up in my bathroom (because the landlord is too lazy and I can get the money back from the agents) and am fitting a couple of new tiles at the back of the bath where we put our soaps and shampoos etc. as there was just a film of sealant over a piece of wood previously!
I've stuck the tiles in place using tile adhesive and am waiting a while before grouting in between them and then will seal the edges with silicone.

My question is, after the tiles are stuck to the wall/surface is there any reason I couldn't use silicone sealant between them rather than grout?

The grout is chipping off between a few of the wall tiles and touching it up is going to be a pain and I wasn't sure whether it would have been even possible/suitable to do the whole thing from the start with silicone as it's flexible.

Pheebs · 30-03-2011, 22:17

I HATE silicone... more than I hate gloss! Hahaha!

I would say that using grout helps secure the tile in position and prevents it from moving if it is knocked as it solidifies, where as silicone (being flexible as you pointed out) would give it the opportunity to move about more, meaning it will have a higher chance of coming away from the tile adhesive on the wall and then might cause issues is water goes through behind it etc.

Use grout. 100%. Plus silicone - as much as it's handy - is an utter **** to get off tiles (natural tiles anyway!) and it also can shrink if you don't get the good stuff and discolours. It's horrible.

Do the job properly - it will look better too

Pick up a grout scraper thingy (they've got a jagged edge you can scratch away the grout with - only a couple of squid) and dig out the crappy grout and reseal it properly.

Grout is super easy to apply if you've got yourself a grout float - I'd invest (but then I want all the tools in the woooooorld! MU HA HA!) and then just take a moist sponge to run over it and wipe the tiles and bobs your uncle.

Grout grout grout

Silicone SUCKS!

lostkat · 31-03-2011, 05:20

Moist... uhhuhhuhhuh

Anyway, yes, I agree with the Goddess of DIY and would use grout. Silicone sealant is an absolute **** to apply and get off. I bought one of those grout scraper thingies, but it's still on the car dashboard. I used a wallpaper scraper and my finger to apply the grout on the tiles in the bathroom

Pheebs · 31-03-2011, 07:59

I love the fact two ladies have replied to this

(PS we're LAaaaaaaaaaaAADIES don't you know!?!

)

volospian · 31-03-2011, 08:06

Another vote for old grouty. Silicone would get everywhere and be a pain to clean up, then look funny in a few months as it starts to flake off the tiles and stuff.... it's OK between the bath and the tiles, where you need some flexibility, but I wouldn't use it between tiles.

Knipples · 31-03-2011, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheebs

(PS we're LAaaaaaaaaaaAADIES don't you know!?!

)

Shut it you sccccchhhhlllaaaaaggg!

Justsomebloke · 31-03-2011, 08:54

It's good advice but I cannot authorise it I'm afraid as it came from Females & they know nothing about such things.

volospian · 31-03-2011, 10:00

Hey, I'm not a Female!

Justsomebloke · 31-03-2011, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by volospian

Hey, I'm not a Female!

I would say prove it but the word GAYER is flashing sporadically in my head & refusing to let me.
This thread Breaks All the rules.

Pheebs · 31-03-2011, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by volospian

Hey, I'm not a Female!

Shemale?

30-03-2011, 18:16	#1
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	FAO: DIYers - Grout & Silicone Sealant Ahoy hoy, I'm doing a spot of fixing up in my bathroom (because the landlord is too lazy and I can get the money back from the agents) and am fitting a couple of new tiles at the back of the bath where we put our soaps and shampoos etc. as there was just a film of sealant over a piece of wood previously! I've stuck the tiles in place using tile adhesive and am waiting a while before grouting in between them and then will seal the edges with silicone. My question is, after the tiles are stuck to the wall/surface is there any reason I couldn't use silicone sealant between them rather than grout? The grout is chipping off between a few of the wall tiles and touching it up is going to be a pain and I wasn't sure whether it would have been even possible/suitable to do the whole thing from the start with silicone as it's flexible. __________________ No Sig.

30-03-2011, 22:17	#2
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	I HATE silicone... more than I hate gloss! Hahaha! I would say that using grout helps secure the tile in position and prevents it from moving if it is knocked as it solidifies, where as silicone (being flexible as you pointed out) would give it the opportunity to move about more, meaning it will have a higher chance of coming away from the tile adhesive on the wall and then might cause issues is water goes through behind it etc. Use grout. 100%. Plus silicone - as much as it's handy - is an utter **** to get off tiles (natural tiles anyway!) and it also can shrink if you don't get the good stuff and discolours. It's horrible. Do the job properly - it will look better too Pick up a grout scraper thingy (they've got a jagged edge you can scratch away the grout with - only a couple of squid) and dig out the crappy grout and reseal it properly. Grout is super easy to apply if you've got yourself a grout float - I'd invest (but then I want all the tools in the woooooorld! MU HA HA!) and then just take a moist sponge to run over it and wipe the tiles and bobs your uncle. Grout grout grout Silicone SUCKS! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

31-03-2011, 05:20	#3
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Moist... uhhuhhuhhuh Anyway, yes, I agree with the Goddess of DIY and would use grout. Silicone sealant is an absolute ** to apply and get off. I bought one of those grout scraper thingies, but it's still on the car dashboard. I used a wallpaper scraper and my finger to apply the grout on the tiles in the bathroom __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?**

31-03-2011, 07:59	#4
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	I love the fact two ladies have replied to this (PS we're LAaaaaaaaaaaAADIES don't you know!?! ) __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

31-03-2011, 08:54	#7
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	It's good advice but I cannot authorise it I'm afraid as it came from Females & they know nothing about such things. __________________

31-03-2011, 08:06	#5
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	Another vote for old grouty. Silicone would get everywhere and be a pain to clean up, then look funny in a few months as it starts to flake off the tiles and stuff.... it's OK between the bath and the tiles, where you need some flexibility, but I wouldn't use it between tiles.

31-03-2011, 10:00	#8
volospian Vodka Martini Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 786	Hey, I'm not a Female!