Tile Caulking & Sealing
 

I am a do it yourselfer that has just completed installing the tile in my tub surround. My next step is to grout the tile, but I wanted to make sure I did things in the correct order after that. I know that I still need to caulk to vertical joints and caulk at the base of the tub, and I also need to seal the tile. Which of these should come first? If I caulk first, do I just seal over the top of the caulking? Or if I seal first, will the caulking adhere to the sealer? Thanks

Colin

Welcome to the forum, Colin.:)

What tiles did you use?

The tiles are porcelain. The sealer that I currently have is TileLab's Grout & Tile Sealer, although that can still be returned if it isn't the right product to use.

dont see a need to seal the porcelain.what size grout joint do you have?

Grout joints are 1/16", or at least they're supposed to be. Grout is SGM unsanded. Also, to add one more question, do I need to avoid getting grout where I will be caulking, or can I just caulk over any grout that gets into those seams?

when you are grouting use your blade (knife) to clear out the fresh grout where it will be caulking. its very quick and easy. especially since you have tight grout joints it looks much nicer to have a nice tight and thin caulk line as well. the grout left in will add bumps and make it wide.
Just my opinion

Thanks, now I just need to figure out the sealing/caulking order. Any ideas?

if tiles are nat stone then i would seal first. Otherwise you can do whichever one first. and i dont believe you would have to seal the caulk
just my opinion