Sealing between floor tiles with silicone

[woofgang]

Is there any reason why I shouldn't seal between my bathroom floor tile with silicone sealant instead of grout please?

[Old_Geezer]

If there a reason you should ? I'm of the opinion it's usually best to use the product designed for the job. Although since it should be below the level of the surface you may get away with it as it ought not get rubbed away. If you try it and it doesn't work it should be possible to remove it again.

[woofgang]

The reason that I am thinking of it is that we have some movement, very slight, in the bathroom floor. it was properly boarded out and so on when it was tiled but the grout is popping and breaking out. I thought that silicone might have more flexibility in it.

[The Builder]

It would be a miserable and tedious job, Woofters. I've been thinking about it, and I can't think of any technical reason why not. I'd still rather go for a more flexible grout. Something latex based, as with the adhesive.

[woofgang]

thank you Builder! can you suggest a brand or type please? I am very new to this stuff.

[The Builder]

For flexible grout?
Something like Bal grout plus an additive (Adi-flex) to increase strength and flexibility.

[woofgang]

thank you

[heathfield]

Dirt and grime would eventually become embedded in the soft surface of silicone and would be almost impossible to remove. At least with grout, you can scrub it clean.

[woofgang]

it a bathroom, so bare feet, not a lot of dirt but i take your point.

[Clanad]

T.B.'s suggestion is (how do you Brits say?) spot on... There are a number of problems using silicone as you describe. Firstly, no silicone I've used works very well in a three-sided joint such as floor tile. Secondly, no matter how much you try, you can eliminate all of the mold spores. Sooner rather than later, they will show up between the tiles and turn black. It'll look really groddy through the silicone...

Silicone does work well joining horizontal to vertical seams, such as floor to wall or floor to tub...

[AlBags]

Silicon is no good as a grout! Look terrible too.

You need a wide-joint gritty grout with polymer adding to make flexible.
If the floor was moving that much, it would crack the tiles.

[AlBags]

Look .. there's some good stuff on here ... take note of it ....
http://www.tilersforu...ubstrate-preparation/

[woofgang]

well all i can say is that the tiles are not cracking and the grout is popping out

[AlBags]

Then the grout is wrong .. or old .. or not applied correctly.