New tiled Shower stall - to caulk or not to?

[Louis McEniry]

Hello everyone,

1. Could I ask what the conventional wisdom is on caulking a newly tiled and sealed shower stall?

I have seen some with caulking up and down each corner and where the tile floor meets the tiled floor. I have used sanded grout on the floor tiles, unsanded on he walls, and actually used some sanded grout recessed between the wall and floor tile...thinking I would caulk that part.

1. Also, is there reason some would not seal the floor tile grout?

Thanks again!

[James Keene]

It looks like shit. It looks like dirty shit in a few months. And it's not necessary in a tile application that sets over a mortar substrate that's placed over proper framing and grouted properly.

In the expensive homes we tile it's unnacceptable. Wonderboard jockeys may do different.

Laziness? Cheap?

[Jeff Cochran]

Caulk any joints that may move independently of each other and crack grout. Whether your partidular substrate is solid enough or not I couldn't say.

Laziness? Seriously, there's not much reason not to.

Jeff

[jeffc]

Regardless of what you call "proper", anything can settle and move over time, including expansion due to temperature or humidity differences. Caulking at the correct joints alleviates problems associated with this. It only "looks like shit" if you apply it like shit, and it only looks dirty in a few months if you use cheap or latex caulk.

[mark Ransley]

you tellm ARA Mousian . im thinkn movin to 6544N gentry Fresno ca , what U think IM a gooooood neighbor

[mark Ransley]

no bs caulk is fine for corners

[Mike Columbo]

just like painting caulk all inside corners (direct water areas). use ONLY 100% mildew resistant silicone.

M.C. somewhere in Ca.

[Louis McEniry]

As usual you guys don't disappoint. Thanks for your help!