silicon for grout?

[ColJack]

any reason I can't use white silicon between the tiles instead of grout?
it's anti-mould kitchen stuff and I only have 6 tiles to "grout" between.. it seems a shame to open a bag of grout just to make up a cup full...

if it makes any difference, it will be behind the microwave anyway so won't be seen..

 

[Chukka63]

how are you going to stop smearing of the tiles????

 

[ColJack]

gun it straight into the lines... soapy water as a release agent or a silicon tool..

 

[Chukka63]

i suggest you try a trial area before committing to do the whole lot.

 

[tommyl18]

cant see why not u got to be good with the gun though otherwise could look a right mess

 

[ColJack]

nevermind, I ripped open the brand new 5KG bag of mould proof, antibacterial grout and made up half a cupfull...
so there's now 4900g of grout going into the bin instead of back to the shop...

I honestly don't know why they don't make ready mixed grout in a tube for caulk guns..
it would be so much easier to apply to the lines....

 

[Chukka63]

ive never had a problem grouting.just spread it all over,remove excess,let go off a bit,stick the joint(dipped in water with washing up liquid),then sponge over getting rid of excess again and clean off tiles.let dry and wipe with a nice dry cloth.

 

[bsr]

Screwfix sell Mapei 1kg bags for about three quid, surely a less wasteful idea?

 

[pritsuk2002]

i know you are sorted. but my opinion on why not to use silicone instead of grout is because when it needs replacing it will be very difficult to remove. where as grout can easily be removed using a grout cutter or a jagged edged tool. also if it smeared on the tile it maybe difficult to remove deponding upon which brand of slicone was used

 

[ColJack]

I can see why smearing might be a problem on a porous or textured tile sich as natural stone types, and that gunning it wouldn't be any use for mosaic style tiles..

why would you need to renew the silicone?
shouldn't it last at least as long as the seals to the worktop etc do?

if it's anti-mould etc then it should last longer than the grout..?
it shouldn't stain either like the grout might..

as for removal, you ust use a stanley knife etc..

 

[squowse]

nevermind, I ripped open the brand new 5KG bag of mould proof, antibacterial grout and made up half a cupfull...
so there's now 4900g of grout going into the bin instead of back to the shop...

I honestly don't know why they don't make ready mixed grout in a tube for caulk guns..
it would be so much easier to apply to the lines....

please don't bin it! save the planet and all that..
if you don't want to store it, someone would be glad to have it.
you could try here - http://www.ilovefreegle.org (used to be known as freecycle) or ebay to find someone who'll collect it.