| Author |
Message |
    
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 27
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 2:34 pm: |     |
We need to have all the grout around the top of our tub removed and replaced. I'm embarassed to say that neither I nor my husband is handy enough to handle this particular chore. Should we try a handyman, and if so can anyone recommend a good one? |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3234
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 6:05 pm: | |
You should not have grout at the top of your tub.
You should have a silcone caulk. You need the water seal and it has to flex. When you fill a tub the weight pulls down.
Grout will crack. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 6:47 pm: | |
Ahh, you're right--got the terms confused! As you see, I'm new to these things. So I'll try again--anyone know who would be able to help me with caulking around the tub? |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5500
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 7:31 pm: | |
It's very, very easy to do. Get the tube of caulk, cut the end off and squeeze it along the corner wherever the tub meets the wall. Then use a $0.39 plastic spatula thing to smooth it into place. When you do this, have the tub filled about half way and drain it a few hours later. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 7:57 pm: | |
Wow, that sounds like something I could actually do. What about getting the old stuff out--should I just chip it out, or caulk right over it? if chipping is the answer, is there a particular tool that works well for this?
The situation here is that the caulk is all rotted out and water is leaking from the bathtub (2nd floor) through the first floor ceiling. But luckily this is a very simple, cheap fix.
Don't know if anyone remembers a past post of mine on the topic, but a contractor told me finding and fixing the leak would require ripping out all the tiles and hence a $16,000 bathroom renovation!! Thank god for plumbers.
|
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5502
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 8:04 pm: | |
Yes, you want to clean out the old grout first. I used the same plastic spatula to pry it out. Metal tools may scratch things up. We had same problem with leak going thru floor/ceiling and it turned out to be a tiny pinhole in the wall. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 8:21 pm: | |
What a relief, eh? And one last grout/caulk question if you don't mind--should the old grout be replaced before caulking or can I just hold it together with caulk alone? |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 8:25 pm: | |
Never mind...my trusty "home improvement for dummies" tells me it's tub/tile caulk only. Thank you for your help Dave--you've launched me on my very first DIY home improvement project! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page