Tile/grout/caulk on tub question for the experts here.

[TNDemo]

Mr. TNDemo and I are rehabbing the master bath. Tore out the old shower stall and closet and put in a Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi is in and working but room had bare wall studs and subflooring showing until this weekend, which gave it that Green Acres feel. Kept waiting on Alf and Ralph to walk in. Anyway, got to work this weekend and got the floor put down and now he is putting up the necessary stuff for the shower wall (put a shower head on each end of the tub so you don't have to turn around to get wet or maybe have company in your shower) and I will do the tiling. What we are wondering about is the where the tile ends at the top of the tub. Do we grout that also or just caulk? It seems like it would be a problem with grout since the tub will shift with the weight of the water. There must be an easy answer for this since millions of tub have tile around them. What's the best way?

[Atlant]

1. Use silicone sealant around the tub.

You're absolutely correct; the tub is sealed to the wall with
a flexible seal so that it can move relative to the wall. (Only
the wall tiles themselves are grouted.)

Silicone is the standard choice these days; pick one that's
intended for the bathroom with good anti-mildew properties
and then try to lay it in smoothly, without pockets that will
trap water, soap scum and the like (which will then mildew).

Putting it in takes a sort of "No fear!" approach with the
caulking gun. :-)

Atlant

[Atlant]

4. By the way...

You apply it by "pushing" it ahead of your caulking gun.

(That is to say, if your caulking gun is pointing to the
left, you're also moving the gun to the left.)

That way, ithe caulk is forced in-between the tub and the
wall and the nozzle of the caulking gun "tools" the caulking
bead into the desired concave shape.

Atlant

[Ress1]

2. They make a tub and tile caulk.

It's available in any hardware store in clear and white. It's a rubber based caulk which "gives" to prevent the shifting problem you mentioned, but it also waterproofs the seam you are filling. Caulk can give you a good finished look if you are careful during aplication. Keep a wet cloth handy to wipe away excesses during application. Practice a little before applying if you haven't done it before. Try not to over caulk which can get messy.Neatness and covering the seam are your main goals. Good luck, it's easier than you think.

[NYC]

3. I've always had caulk around the tub.

No expert, though.

[Uben]

5. caulking tub

If you want a caulk job that looks "professional", use low-tack masking tape. Once your done caulking, remove the tape, and voila!
you have a symetrical, professional looking job.

[GregW]

6. Another tip ...

Use the masking tape and smooth with your finger before removing the tape. The "finger smooth" gives a consistent shape and flares the caulk out nicely to the tape, which then removes symmetrically.

[Kolesar]

7. Wet finger or dry?

I think you wet your finger when smoothing caulk.