Submitted by eagleslanding t3_10jkdw2 in DIY
eagleslanding OP t1_j5m8u7h wrote
Reply to comment by coldoll514 in How do I caulk a 270 degree edge? by eagleslanding
What is the advantage of grout over caulk here? From what I read you should caulk corners, but I’m a total amateur
CrypticSS t1_j5nan55 wrote
Just fyi you caulk inside corners. Don’t grout inside corners. But an outside corner - as you saw someone explained it should be a butt joint that allows the vertical face to have the grout line there so that the top/horizontal surface is all tile.
coldoll514 t1_j5m9zk4 wrote
grout is theoretically waterproof and rigid, where caulk is waterproof and flexible. the flexibility is because it will go through extreme swelling/shrinking cycles and over time will separate from its surface and eventually fail. grout does not have this problem and is more permanent.
bms42 t1_j5n2w23 wrote
Sorry but this is incorrect on both key points.
First, grout is not waterproof. It doesn't pass water easily but it's not waterproof.
Second, the reason you caulk changes of plane is precisely because caulk is flexible. The two planes will swell and shrink at different rates over time, causing grout to fail. Having said that, grouting a mitered tile assembly around a niche is quite common because the one plane is so small it won't move much.
taken_name t1_j5mqimy wrote
Grout isn't waterproof, it is porous.
coldoll514 t1_j5nue6x wrote
modern grout is waterproof
taken_name t1_j5nv7mc wrote
Any cement based grout which is the most commonly used grout is not waterproof. Water resistant, but not water proof. Epoxy grout on the other hand is, but it is not as common.
coldoll514 t1_j5o6fmh wrote
i said modern grout, yes? which would all have an epoxy element to them.
also, i said "theoretically” waterproof originally. didn’t think that the minuscule amount of water absorption was material to the conversation.
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