Is space required between ceramic bathroom floor tile and walls?
Question:I was told to leave a 1/4 inch space between tile and walls/tub. Does this mean NO GROUT between tile and walls? That was my understanding until someone at a home improvement store told me to grout up to the walls and tub because ceramic tile doesn't expand or contract. If he's right, please tell me (because I went ahead and did what he said, hoping he's right). BUT if he's wrong, how much empty space (no grout, no tile, no thin set) do I leave between the tile and the walls and tub? Also, if I do need space, what's the best way to remove grout? :-(
Answers:
you can stop worrying. laminate and wood need room to expand and contract, but not your tile. you need grout, but make sure to seal it well for waterproofing. i seal bathrooms and kitchens twice.
If the wall is timber framed, then you will need a flexible coloured silicone sealant around the edges, or the timber framing will rot and the grout will crack loose, due to the expansion of the timber framing when wet and subsequently dry again. If the wall is solid brick, it doesn't really matter. I'm afraid old Manuel Labour is going to have to scrape it out if necessary. Mask the sealant applicaton up with masking tape before commencing!
i believe what that guy told u is correct, and a grout is actually needed and irreplaceable... i guess what was ment with leaving a gap was not to let the tile touch the wall or the tub just like we do when dealing with marble for example...!
hope i helped... good luck
if you are want to remove old grout from the tiles use a sharp blade and clean it.
you must leave some space for grout (about 2 millimeter) between the tiles of course if you want bigger gaps then use disposable crosses for the tiles to put between them.
if you are not using grout between the tiles you will have moisture problems at the other side of the wall
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