Caulk or Grout in Showers?
The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) offers the following recommendation: “Technically, anywhere there is a change in substrate or backing surface such as the joint between walks and floor and wall joint, caulk should be used in place of grout since these surfaces move independently of each other.” The Tile Council of North America then goes on to list five reasons that installers use grout instead of caulk.
For the Home Inspector, we are looking for failure. If the system ( caulk or grout ) has failed to perform it is within our scope to recommend a repair. Both methods have been used for decades with relative degrees of success. You can argue either method rather successfully either way.
But failure – is failure.
Three basic steps:
- Identify the material (ie., grout or caulk)
- Describe the material defect and implication (ex. Cracked grout noted. Moisture intrusion and subsequent damages may result)
- Make the required recommendation to monitor, repair or replace (Re-grout as required by a qualified contractor as to prevent moisture intrusion and related damages)
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Last Updated on 3 years ago
