Do I really have to seal between the bathtub and the new tile when I remodel my bathroom?

Question

The tub has a lip at least 1" where it meets the tile anyway. So why seal it and have to reseal it every few years? Would water really make its way up there if the gap is about 16"?

Answer 1

Do you really want to have mold grow behind your new tile?

Water is like air it can go where no one really thinks it will! I would seal it and not run the risk of having to re-do this project again!  

Weigh the price of this project and the price of the silicone to seal it again in a few years...what do you think?!

Answer 2

Reseal everything, always when water is involved....water can find a way, even up hill!

Answer 3

You would be amazed how easy it is for water to get in there. Look at how cracks form and destroy concrete, that has to do with water! I say take the 5 minutes and caulk it! It could save you thousands in damages!

Answer 4

am not really following your description. if you are referring to the gap between the tub deck and the bottom row of tile, which should only be at most 1/8" it should be caulked, not grouted which would be sealed. grout should ONLY touch grout or tile. i don't understand the 16" part at all. need further information....

---

ok, thanks for the add'l info. should be caulked with a silicone tub&tile caulk. will last several years. prevents mold from getting up under the tile and allows water to run down the tile onto the tub deck.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

yes you do cause lf water gets in there lt can damage the tile around the bathtub

Answer 6

You only need to seal the bathtub if you plan to have water in the tub at any time.

Answer 7

Yes you do. When we have a bath we create a lot of condensation, now this runs down the tiled wall to the floor, so there is a pool of water before we take into account any water which could come over the top of the tub, Warm dark areas create the ideal environment for mould and fungi, so now you have 2 problems. If you cannot wipe dry the water on the floor back of tub then we could have more problems with the health of our floor. Seal it, it's no great shucks to re-do the seal in a year or 2.