Gaps in grout

misc2013

We got bathroom tiled last year. Unfortunately not long after, some of the grout between Bath and wall broke so we have a few gaps.. We ended up with water going into the walls and only noticed when the adjoining room showed damp. Anyways, my husband sealed it, apparently it was not sealed right. But, he used a clear silicone and the edges always look dirty because the black gaps jump out at me. It's not dirt but holes in grouting. I experiment with a "light grey" sealant along the tap area but it's too dark. The grout is silver grey.

I have peeled off the sealant to start again. Is there any way to fill the gaps first, preferably in a colour to match the silver grey grout and then go back to the clear silicone?

Seems then the only other option is a white silicone but I don't like the way it goes yellow.

I'll try to send a photo.

Thanks,

K

10-10-20

There should have been a PVC tileover strip at that junction, like this one:

https://www.worldoftiles.ie/trims/163-bath-seal-tileover.html

If it's not there then you're at risk of continuous leaks as the bath will flex or the wall could move slightly breaking any grout/solid seal. I don't know of any situation where a seal like this isn't used on a bath! To fix it you would have to use silicon as you described, but in my mind it's always going to be a problem. I'd be getting back onto the company and pointing out the failure due to poor workmanship - you may have the option of using the small-claims court for a resolution of such an issue.

misc2013

It's very annoying for sure. That wall was always tiled.

We've let it go too long now. My husband said he understood there was going to be some form of a seal on the wall under the tiles but obviously not. The tiling was part of a larger reno project overseen by builder who is a family friend so we could never make an issue of it.

Is there anything that can camouflage the gaps in the grout? If the sealant is clear we can be more generous on its application but you can see the gaps.

Such a shame for a new bathroom.

10-10-20

(I did respond here earlier, but the post is missing...?)

This would be an option in this case:

https://www.diy.ie/departments/diall-white-round-edge-bath-seal-l-2500mm-w-17-4mm/5059340164533_BQ.prd

https://www.goodwins.ie/products/over-tile-bath-seal-white.html

It's a compromise and not ideal. It will need to be fitted carefully so that it adheres well to the wall tiles.

kabakuyu

Replace the grout and then apply silicone.

misc2013

I thought grout was applied before the tiles??

kabakuyu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120381478#Comment_120381478

Tiles attached first with adhesive, grout applied after, check utube vids.