Fixing messy tile/caulk job
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Fixing messy tile/caulk job
In a guest bathroom the tile around the tub looks messy. It is mostly due to too wide of a gap at the top (where tile meets ceiling)-maybe 3/8"-1/2", uneven tile cuts in the corners, and bad caulking in the corners.
I am trying to figure out how to fix this. I have come up with 3 options but am open to others:
1) Remove the caulk and have someone that is good at caulking (as opposed to me) re-caulk it.
2) Remove the caulk and grout the corners and at the ceiling. The grout I think will take better to the larger gaps and have a neater look in the corners.
3) Remove the caulk from the corners, add new caulk and insert some kind of trim piece. I haven't found specifically what I was looking for, but Schluter make a T piece that might work. This would hide the bad tile cuts and bad caulk job. Obviously it would need to be waterproof and not be a maintenance nightmare (mold).
I attached a few pictures so you get an idea of what I have.
I am trying to figure out how to fix this. I have come up with 3 options but am open to others:
1) Remove the caulk and have someone that is good at caulking (as opposed to me) re-caulk it.
2) Remove the caulk and grout the corners and at the ceiling. The grout I think will take better to the larger gaps and have a neater look in the corners.
3) Remove the caulk from the corners, add new caulk and insert some kind of trim piece. I haven't found specifically what I was looking for, but Schluter make a T piece that might work. This would hide the bad tile cuts and bad caulk job. Obviously it would need to be waterproof and not be a maintenance nightmare (mold).
I attached a few pictures so you get an idea of what I have.
#2
Door #1.
You don't grout changes in planes like in corners. How big is the gap? You should apply a sanded grout caulk the color of your grout and smooth it out with either a wet finger or a rounded wet sponge, cleaning the sponge regularly. I'll not comment on the caulk job
You don't grout changes in planes like in corners. How big is the gap? You should apply a sanded grout caulk the color of your grout and smooth it out with either a wet finger or a rounded wet sponge, cleaning the sponge regularly. I'll not comment on the caulk job
#3
Member
Thread Starter
At the top, the gap is up to 1/2".
I know you generally don't grout changes in plane, but from what I've read, if the structure is stable some people do.
I assume sanded grout caulk will work better than regular caulk in a wider gap?
Thanks
I know you generally don't grout changes in plane, but from what I've read, if the structure is stable some people do.
I assume sanded grout caulk will work better than regular caulk in a wider gap?
Thanks
#4
1/2" ?? What happened, an earthquake? Certainly it wasn't installed with that large a gap. Remove the caulk and post pictures of the gaps so we can see them, too, please.
#5
Look into Bed Molding to cover your large gap at the top.
For the rest, remove the old caulk, get a roll of masking tape and tape off both sides of the caulk line close to the corner so that the void between masking tape pieces is exactly straight and the size of caulk line you want. You can then plaster caulk into the line, smooth with a finger and when you pull the tape, perfect caulk line. Key is to not put it on too thick and to pull it very thin with your finger.
For the rest, remove the old caulk, get a roll of masking tape and tape off both sides of the caulk line close to the corner so that the void between masking tape pieces is exactly straight and the size of caulk line you want. You can then plaster caulk into the line, smooth with a finger and when you pull the tape, perfect caulk line. Key is to not put it on too thick and to pull it very thin with your finger.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
That is how I always caulk- using the masking tape method. I think the width of the gap was what made things go wrong. I had to backtrack because it wasn't filling in all the way. Maybe I need to cut the tip off higher so I get more flow?
As to the gap at the top, it is probably more like 1/4-3/8 mostly.
As to what went wrong, not sure. I did it with my Father and he has done many tiling jobs (though as a DIYer) and I have tiled a few times too. Someone measured wrong I guess.
As to the gap at the top, it is probably more like 1/4-3/8 mostly.
As to what went wrong, not sure. I did it with my Father and he has done many tiling jobs (though as a DIYer) and I have tiled a few times too. Someone measured wrong I guess.