Caulk vs. Grout: Sealing Your Bathtub Correctly
Showers Bathtubs
In a tiled shower, you see lines between the tiles. But at the corners where the tub meets the wall, you see a smooth, rubbery line. Do you know the difference?
Grout
- What it is: A mixture of cement, sand, and water. It dries hard and porous.
- Where to use it: Only between tiles on a flat surface (wall or floor).
- Why: Grout creates a solid surface, but it cracks if the surfaces move.
Caulk
- What it is: A flexible silicone, latex, or acrylic sealant. It is waterproof and stretchy.
- Where to use it: Any 'change of plane' (corners where two walls meet) or 'change of material' (where the tile wall meets the porcelain tub).
- Why: Houses settle. Tubs shift when filled with water. Caulk stretches to maintain the seal during this movement. If you use grout here, it will crack and leak water behind the wall.