www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hello,

Attempted to re grout the bottom row of tiles in my shower with no luck. I have dug out all the old grout and used a ready made grout from b n q to fill in the joints. The grout will not dry and I have left it for days. I am not sure what to do next in terms of fixing the problem, could I use a silicon seal?

All advice welcome.......

Hello and welcome - first, a ready-made grout from B&Q might not be the best grout in the world - go to a hardware shop or a builders' merchant and get some good waterproof grout -there are some good ready-mixed ones if that's what you prefer.

However, even a grotty grout should dry and set in normal conditions, so I think you've left the job too long, and quite a bit of water has got behind the tiles already, and is stopping the new grout setting, Scrape it all out and let the wall dry out properly - I can't tell how long this would take, 'cos I don't know how wet it may have got. A bit of heat will help, and of course, don't use the shower! It'll also dry out quicker if you rake out the grout a bit further, to give the dampness more space to evaporate out from.

You don't make clear whether you're talking about the whole grouting around the bottom row of tiles, or just the bottom joint itself, where tiles meet the shower tray - if it's just that bottom line, then yes, it's usual to do that with a sanitary silicon mastic (it allows for the slight movement between tiles and tray) - again, go to a supplier other than B&Q - my own favourite is Dow-Corning, quite easy to use and to smoothe, and stays white and clean a good while. BUT, of course, you must get the wall dry (and clean out any mould or dirt) first - it's no good sealing in dampness, it'll just come out somewhere nearby, probably by pushing a tile or two off the wall.

If the original joint between tiles and tray was done with actual grout, and not silicon mastic, then that'll be why the joint has failed, and let water soak up behind the tiles - you're lucky they're not popping off!.

I hope you get it sorted, good luck.