expansion joints

I had tile installed in my bathroom floor. 1 month later the grout is cracking in areas where the floor meets the tub. Ive been reading up and found a rew things that were done wrong. First, he tile was installed up to the Molding around the wall. And grouted. There was no expansion joint. Also, grout was placed between the tile and tub. As far as I can see not one expansion joint anywhere.

Whats the best way to salvage this. Should I have the grout in these areas removed and caulked instead?

Hi Jean,

Unfortunately some people that install tile cut corners in order to give customers a cheaper price and/or to save an hour or two & the cost of a tube of caulk? Some tile people don't know the right way. Also, some customers don't hire "real" tile setters because the handyman "hack" will do it for less, well dahhhhhhh.

The joint to the tub will almost always crack, mainly because today's tubs are so flimsy. So, that joint should be caulked with a matching color to the grout. Actually any change of plane or joints of dissimilar materials should be caulked.

Chances are the lack of perimeter open gaps (expansion joints), will not cause a problem in such a small space unless there are other problems.

Jaz

I had a family member do it. He swore he knew what he was doing. I should have just had it done professionally. =(

So does the grout need to be taken up in those areas and then the caulk put in its place? Or should I wait and see what happens? Im thnking that since the grout is cracking so soon after installation that it's bound to get worse. Which may even indicate other issues. SIGH, Maybe I should just have the whole job ripped up and done over.

Actually, after reading these posts I went up to the bathroom. You are right. The bathtub is very flimsy. At the bottom I was able to push it in slightly and you can see when I do that, that the grout separates from the tile. Not good. Ok, so hate to haunt you. But what should I do now. DARN

Carefully remove the grout at the tub and replace it with caulk made by the same manufacturer as the grout. It comes either sanded or unsanded.

Everyone thinks they know how to do things after one or two times I guess. I wonder what other things may have been done wrong?

What type of subfloor? What type of backer board was used if a wooden subfloor? Specifically want was used as the adhesive?

Jaz

The subfloor was the concrete board. Dont know the name of it.

I am wondering if the size of the gap will be a problem? The gap between the tub and the tile is close to an inch wide. Will caulk hold up here?

Sorry. The gap is 1/2 inch

Yikes, the gap is kinda wide, huh? Caulk may not work. Is the floor solid or flimsy too? Did this family member set the concrete board into fresh thin set mortar? I have a feeling the floor is moving a bit too.

Jaz

Yes, seems he did everything else right except the expansion gap =(Now I dont know what we should do to correct this area