Must one re-grout hairline cracks?

[Mike Tj]

Our shower has developed some horizontal hairline cracks in just a minimum of tiles:

A small hairline crack just above ONE tile in the corner where the tiles meet the shower basin. And a small hairline crack above two adjacent tiles just above a marble "seat" in another corner.

The cracks are so fine that I'm wondering if it is worth the potential for grout mismatches, and joining/adhering to nearby grout, if I were to dig out the grout just above these tiles and replace it. And the remainder of the shower is in such excellent shape that I'm wondering if this is a case of "leave well enough alone" or "if it ain't broke [badly], don't fix it."

But, above all, I'm always concerned about water penetrating behind any tiles, though the amount of water is NOT a steady stream, because the shower is so large and water just splashes randomly over these tiles if one moves just so when showering.

Do I need to fix the hairline cracks now?
Should I re-grout?
Could I instead use a small bead of clear silicone caulk over these hairline cracks?


-Mike

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[Davestone]

Mike i would dry it with a hair dryer and use some silicone.It could be the tile was cracked before installation and not noticed till after grouting, but usually if tile is cracking it means movement and future trouble.

[Mike Tj]

My apologies! I meant the GROUT above the tiles has the hairline cracks. The tile is fine.

[Davestone]

Well,the same thing may apply,but in that case i would use grout.If they used mastic it could be the problem.

[Blakelpd5]

If I'm understanding your description correctly, the grout is cracking on inside corners, and also where the tile meets the pan? I'm not a pro, but I think all these area's should of been siliconed in the first place, not grouted...

[Mike Tj]

No. I probably wasn't clear. The hairline cracks are in the grout just ABOVE the first tile. The bottom of that tile, which meets the pan, IS caulked.

I've purchased the grouting attachment for my dremel and plan to carefully "route-out" the old grout and add new. Interestingly enough, I'm far less "intimidated" about routing out the old grout than I am about applying NEW grout!

[noel]

I have a tub/shower combination. There is a hairline crack in one tile(on a recessed horizontal surface where the soap dish sits). Water tends to sit there. It is a 2nd floor bath and I found evidence of moisture in the ceiling of the main floor. Can I use a silicone sealant, or a clear epoxy on the surface of the tile to repair the crack? The alternative is to take out several tiles and redo.