7mm gap in shower corner, silicone or grout then silicone over?

[Kitsune]

Hi, which is the best method for a shower internal corner, sorry if these are silly questions.

I had been trying to leave about a 3mm gap between the tiles in the corner so I could run a bead of silicone up it. The measurement on the bottom tile went a bit wrong and after checking the gap it is 7mm, can't retile so just want to check the best way to make it both watertight and asthetically nice.

I thought of a few ways but not sure on which is best and I'm sure there is probably a better way that I've not mentioned:

- I could grout the gap then run the normal 3-4mm bead over the top
- run a thick 8mm bead all the way up
- run a bead 8mm at bottom but narrow it slightly as it goes up

Also when grouting the tile faces some grout has also gone in the corner, is it best that the grout is removed or can the silicone just go over the top.

Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

I'd go for a parallel bead of silicone, all the way up......I'd also use some masking tape as a guide, and really press the silicone into the corner.
John

 

[Kitsune]

Thanks John
I'll try that one. Where grout has already gone a bit into the corner should I just silicone over the top or knock out the grout and then silicone?

 

[Burnerman]

I'd be inclined to scrape some of the grout away, but no need to go overboard about it......I do find the masking tape trick very beneficial though, and you can get exactly the covering of silicone that you need.
John

 

[Kitsune]

Thanks, I've used masking tape before, works really well even if it does take awhile to mark up.
Thanks for your help ☺

 

[Kitsune]

When masking off should I allow the same mm either side or can it be a bit smaller on the side without the large gap? Normally I'd do the same amount either side.

 

[Burnerman]

I think I'd try to slightly fake the taper you are trying to disguise ....At the widest point, minimal silicone overlap, but at the narrow end, add a millimetre or so.
The joint is a little on the wide side, but no one will notice!
Hope it goes well.
John

 

[chappers]

you'll get a much better finish using a silicone tool such as these

 

[geraldthehamster]

Bear in mind that silicone is supposed to go into a gap, to seal it, and not over the top of a surface as a covering

 

[Kitsune]

The bead is done. It does look a bit thick, I used masking tape and a mitre smoothing tool!!

Silicone fun

• Kitsune
• 26 Jan 2016

Not quite as neat as I would have liked but not completely crap either.

 

[Burnerman]

Nothing wrong with that job mate, well done!
Personally I don't get on with the silicone tool, but that's just me.
John

 

[Kitsune]

Thanks, looks better in the photo than in real life though ☺

 

[tilerman]

I agree with chappers. Get some profile tools. Toolstation/screwfix sell them. Perfect job every time.