Questions for shower walls?

[MAPEI - Technical Service]

Flexcolor CQ is UV stable, so it will not discolor with exposure to sunlight like a lot of epoxies do.
Also, #38 Avalanche is going to be the brightest white Flexcolor CQ is offered in, so be sure to grab a paper grout chart from your MAPEI supplier to make sure that color is going to work in your space.

[Kat at the Coast]

I am using Kerdi board to tile the shower/tub surround.
So far, it is going fine - the stuff is easy to work with, and I used their pre-built 12 x 12 niche as well.

The interior/backside of the niche is a marble daisy mosaic. My concern is the space between the tile pieces. I have filled in with little bits from the pattern as best I can, but there are still a lot of places - just based on the design - that will have gaps that should be filled in by grout.

I know that sanded grout can span a larger gap, but in my tests, it scratched the marble a lot. So do I just use unsanded and cross my fingers? Mix it a lot stiffer to reduce shrinkage? Sacrifice to the tile gods?

[Lazarus]

The Flexcolor CQ seems to use a smaller and smoother aggregate than some others. I never have seen it scratch marble.....

[Kat at the Coast]

NO Flexcolor CQ in a smaller size at my local big box store... I am having a hard time talking myself into paying $49 when I only need a small scoop or two for this inset.

However, they do carry Ultracolor plus FA - in a small pint sized container for $6. It says, "fine aggregate: and "fast setting".

Anyone with experience on this product with marble?

[cx]

Kat, you might type Ultracolor into the Advanced Search feature and read some of the discussions about that product. I've not used it, but pay heed to the rapid setting claim. Apparently they're not kidding.

And you might look at post #32 on this thread just down the page from you.

[Kat at the Coast]

While installing the tile on the shower walls, I ran out of mortar - I underestimated how much it would take to do the taping and mudding of the Kerdi Board.

I was unable to find a quality unmodified thinset locally, so I ordered more.
It has since arrived, but now I am in the middle of a huge work project which will go right up to Christmas.

So....in the meantime....the shower niche is a marble mosaic daisy pattern, it went in quite nicely and I filled in the little gaps around the edges with pieces from another "square" of the mosaic.

The marble is very light, (carrera) and I was planning on grouting it in gray to help make the pattern show up a bit better.

The marble has darkened considerably upon installation - but here's the thing - I quite like it that way!!

It has been almost a couple of weeks since it was installed, and it is still darker. It is not the "windowpaning" effect that I have read about - it is very even and lovely. If it were going to stay that way, I'd grout it in white to make the pattern show up.

But if it is for sure going to go back to being lighter, then darker grout would be my choice.

Does marble always lighten back up after a month or so?
If it is still darker after a month - will it stay that way?

[Kat at the Coast]

Any answers?

[cx]

Kat, I don't think anyone out here is gonna be able to answer your question. A photo of your marble might help, before and after, or it might not.

If your darkening is in fact caused by wetting of the stone, then yes, it will lighten as it dries if it dries.

If you like the wet look you might try applying an enhancing sealer to a left over sample to see what it does to your stone. It may develop the shading you want, or it might not. If it does, it's likely to remain that way. Can't say if it will still darken further when it gets wet.

It's not at all an exact science you're dealing with there. We have some folks who know a whole lot more about that sort of thing than do I, but without seeing just what stone you have and just what discoloration you're seeing, even they are not likely to be able to give you a definite answer.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Davy]

What Cx said. I've seen Carrera darken when it's wet and I've seen it stay the same shade. We just never know.

[Kat at the Coast]

Ok, tiles are in, grout is in - looks petty good so far.
Time to caulk. The part I really dread.
I have GE II 100% white silicone caulk, new caulking gun, but the same old me.

Do anyone use or recommend one of the caulk shaping tools?

[ss3964spd]

There have been some recommendations for those shaping tools here, Kat, but I've never used one. Also recommendations for various spray on potions that help with tooling the silicone. I've not used either, but I have used common blue painters tape on both sides of the joint to help control the mess. I place my tape as close to the edge of the tile as possible.

What I have also seen recommended is to not use the GE II silicone, though I forget what the issue was. You might consider a white silicone from Color Rite or Laticrete or one of the other top tier vendors of such products.

Your choice, natch.

[Davy]

From my experience, I've found that it's best to buy silicone that is supposed to match the grout you're using. All whites are not the same. I've found that the GE brand is a whiter white than even the Bright white from Custom's.

[Kat at the Coast]

Caulking is done!!

I went to the "Liberry" section, and read 13 pages of DIY caulk posts.

Around page 7 or 8 , I found a link to the video that Stefan Wild posted.
He made it look so easy, and the best part was, he did NOT (whether or purpose or not) lay down a perfect bead of caulk to start with!

That made it seem quite doable, so I used his method and it was easy!!

The plumber comes out Friday morning to add the "trim" pieces - the actually shower head, controls and tub spout.

So the tub and shower will be ready for use after that...all I have to do now is find a rubber ducky....

Oh yeah,..and put up a shower curtain and rod.

Woohoo!

[Kat at the Coast]

I have read until I have a headache - so many conflicting opinions on sealing tile and /or grout.

So for my specific situation:

White ceramic subway tile
white unsanded grout
Carrera marble shower niche

I do not color my hair or use any product in the shower that I can imagine staining...

I am a pretty good house keeper, - as far as wiping down the shower, sink, etc

Pretty hard water where we live


Given the circumstances above - if it were you, would you seal this installation?

If yes, does it have to happen right away - before the shower is ever used - or can it wait till a more convenient time?

[cx]

Mark me down as, nope, not at all.

But you can if you wanna.

My opinion; worth price charged.