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How to Grout in a Shower Base

Incorrectly grouting your shower base can result in water-damage problems that you won't even know exist for years. Once they become apparent, you will discover easy repair impossible. Instead, you will need to fix possibly rotten wall studs and test for mold. If the water or moisture gets below your shower base, you could end up with tiles that break loose. You could even end up with wet rot in your sub-flooring or floor joists, so correctly grouting your shower base represents one of the most important tasks.

Things You'll Need

  • Condensation barrier
  • Sponge
  • Bucket of water
  • Pre-mixed, quick-drying grout
  • 100 tile spacers
  • Tile trowel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Press the mist or condensation barrier against the inside floor and base of the wall. The barrier will prevent water or mist, created as you shower, from seeping through grout and into the walls of your home.

    • 2

      Dip the sponge in the bucket of water, squeezing it until it remains damp but not dripping.

    • 3

      Dab the condensation barrier with the damp sponge, so it will adhere to the grout.

    • 4

      Spread the pre-mixed, quick-dry grout along the base of the shower atop the condensation barrier in a layer approximately 1/4-inch thick.

    • 5

      Place the tiles atop the layer of grout, spacing each one at the corner with a tile spacer. The tile spacers will keep the tiles evenly spaced and parallel to one another.

    • 6

      Spread a 1/4-inch layer of grout between the tiles using the tip of the tile trowel. The tip will have a rounded edge that will create a smooth, scalloped-shaped indentation within the grout. Allow the grout to dry for 48 to 72 hours before using the shower.

    • 7

      Dab the edges of the tile with the damp sponge to remove any bits of grout that smeared onto the top surface of the tiles. If you don't wipe this grout, you will end up with sharp or rough edges on the tiles.