ANSWER - The transition joint between the top of the bathtub flange and the wall tile is not supposed to be filled with a cementitious grout. It should be filled with a resilient ASTM C920 sealant that is either a 100% silicone sealant or a polyurethane sealant.
Fill the gap with caulk to prevent water getting through and underneath and then put trim over it.
Grout is for joints between the same material in the same plane (eg between tiles in a floor or wall). Caulk or mastic is required at joints where 2 planes intersect (eg floor and wall), where movement is expected (eg between pool coping and concrete deck), or between dissimilar materials.
You could use caulk, silicone or mix up more grout and redo it. Just make sure you clean out the old grout before you start and pack it into the crack well or it'll end up like what you have right now.
Grout is the gray or white lining that fills the space between the tiles, which holds them securely in place. It's used in all tiles in your bathroom, shower, backsplash, flooring, porch, or anywhere else tiles are used.
Sanded Grout: Ideal for wider gaps (over 1/8 inch) in floor tiles or large wall tiles. Sand particles provide strength and durability. Unsanded Grout: Best for narrow gaps (up to 1/8 inch) in wall tiles or delicate surfaces like glass or polished stone.
Grout offers a number of valuable benefits: It gives your floor or wall a crisp finished appearance. it helps keep dirt and debris from getting in between and under your tile.
Similar to a shower, the best type of caulk for bathtubs is a silicone sealant caulk. This is because it will prevent water damage, leaks, or mold growth. A silicone caulk is also very flexible, which makes it ideal for the rapid temperature and humidity changes in a bathroom.
Standard grout isn't waterproof at all, only epoxy grout is. You can seal regular grout after it dries, but you have to do it every so often or else the grout will begin to absorb water again.
Using caulk, trim tile pieces and edging are three of the most popular and effective ways to finish tile edges. Caulking is the cheapest and easiest method for finishing tile edges.
The EVO-STIK White for Life Shower & Bathroom Sealant is our top pick for its exceptional mould resistance, long-lasting white finish, and ease of application.
Grout is used between tiles to keep them from moving. It isn't flexible like caulk. Caulk is used around the base of the tub or where the tiles meet the tub. It's waterproof and used as a sealing measure.
DUNLOP FLEXIBLE FLOOR & WALL GROUT is a water and frost-resistant powder based grout. Flexible and highly durable, it can be used for grouting natural stone, mosaics, glazed and porcelain tiles, in joints up to 20mm.
For gaps even smaller than 1/8”, regular caulk will do the job just fine, but if your gap is larger than 1/8“, you may want to consider using sanded caulk. You can start by squeezing a bit of caulk into the space. To smooth it out when you are done, simply wet your finger and go by touch.
Caulk is a flexible sealant that is often used in areas where two different materials meet, such as where tile meets a shower pan. Its primary function is to prevent water from seeping into cracks and crevices, which can cause damage over time.
How do you know which to use for a bathtub and showers? In general, sealant is the prefered sealing solution for bathtubs and showers, as it is more water resistant than traditional caulk. Silicone sealant forms a watertight seal that is resistant to heavy temperature changes.
What Kind of Caulking Hardens? Concrete caulk dries hard. Additionally, polyurethane sealant cures fast and hard. When used for wood joints, it can then be sanded and painted.
One of the biggest differences between grout and caulk is caulk's water resistant features. Caulk, especially silicone caulk, is waterproof. This makes it ideal for areas such as kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and even the outdoors.
Jim Whitfield, manager of Technical Services at Mapei told industry professionals, “Because epoxy grout is so tough, it wears extremely well. It doesn't wear down over time and become a tile gutter—like cement grout can—where all the dirt and liquid and junk collects.”
ANSI defines the requirement for grout joints in ceramic and natural stone tile installations in A108. 02 Section 4.3. 8. This section states that under no circumstances should the grout joint be less than 1/16" (1.6 mm).
Both grout and mortar are essential materials for tile installation, but they serve different purposes. People tend to get them confused, or even think that they're the same thing. Thinset mortar is used to adhere tiles to a surface, while grout is designed to fill the spaces between tiles once they've been installed.
Cement based grouts are available sanded and unsanded. Unsanded cement grout is ideal for tight spaces, such as a tiny gap between tiles, while sanded grout is ideal for larger gaps. Sand prevents the cement from shrinking, making it a better mixture to fill wide spaces.
Being naturally water-resistant, Epoxy grout is an excellent choice if you plan on laying tiles in your front or back garden. Epoxy grout is made up of a unique blend of a filler powder form grout and epoxy resins, making it the best grout to use for outdoor projects.
Grout. You will use grout to fill in the gaps in between tiles.