Hi,
My bathroom has two wall joins that aren't at right angles to each
other and almost constitute a curved wall. A builder tiling my walls
has solved this problem by bringing both parts of a cut tile together
at the "curve" without using spacers. I don't see how this can be
grouted or sealed as there is virtually no spaces between the 2 pieces
of tile. Before I ask him to do this part over, this time using
spacers between the 2 pieces of tile, I need to feel confident that
what he is doing is wrong. He says he can seal the join with mastic or
other filler used over the top of the tiles, but this sounds messy and
against the tile/grout ethic!
I searched the group to see if this question had been asked before, but
couldn't find an answer.
Thanks and best wishes,
Julie

"Julie" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
My bathroom has two wall joins that aren't at right angles to each
other and almost constitute a curved wall. A builder tiling my walls
has solved this problem by bringing both parts of a cut tile together
at the "curve" without using spacers. I don't see how this can be
grouted or sealed as there is virtually no spaces between the 2 pieces
of tile. Before I ask him to do this part over, this time using
spacers between the 2 pieces of tile, I need to feel confident that
what he is doing is wrong. He says he can seal the join with mastic or
other filler used over the top of the tiles, but this sounds messy and
against the tile/grout ethic!
I searched the group to see if this question had been asked before, but
couldn't find an answer.
Thanks and best wishes,
Julie

Your description as I understand it, does sound wrong to me. But is this
area going to be wet?
Floor or wall? inside the shower?


Mastic is an adhesive not a water proofing product.

Julie wrote:
Hi,
My bathroom has two wall joins that aren't at right angles to each
other and almost constitute a curved wall. A builder tiling my walls
has solved this problem by bringing both parts of a cut tile together
at the "curve" without using spacers. I don't see how this can be
grouted or sealed as there is virtually no spaces between the 2 pieces
of tile. Before I ask him to do this part over, this time using
spacers between the 2 pieces of tile, I need to feel confident that
what he is doing is wrong. He says he can seal the join with mastic or
other filler used over the top of the tiles, but this sounds messy and
against the tile/grout ethic!
I searched the group to see if this question had been asked before, but
couldn't find an answer.
Thanks and best wishes,
Julie


We had something similar sounding done when our living/dining rooms were
tiled. I may have misunderstood what you describe, but here goes:

We have "sunken" living room, with about an 8" step the length of the
rooms, and rail anchored into the face of the step most of the length
(concrete slab floors). The plan, as described by the contractor,
worried me but turned out beautifully. Where the square anchor meets
the face of the step, he cut the (porcellain) tile in two, cut out the
notches to fit around the anchor, then bedded the two parts as if one
tile. Can't see it, even knowing it is there, but the rail helps
conceal it. I had been shopping around for a small deco tile that could
be placed along the face without any cutting, but the contractor's
solution is fine. He tiled the face of the step before the top, so
bullnose makes the top corner. He solved several worriesome issues that
we would not have thought of if we had done the tile install ourselves.

Julie wrote:

Hi,
My bathroom has two wall joins that aren't at right angles to each
other and almost constitute a curved wall. A builder tiling my walls
has solved this problem by bringing both parts of a cut tile together
at the "curve" without using spacers. I don't see how this can be
grouted or sealed as there is virtually no spaces between the 2 pieces
of tile. Before I ask him to do this part over, this time using
spacers between the 2 pieces of tile, I need to feel confident that
what he is doing is wrong. He says he can seal the join with mastic or
other filler used over the top of the tiles, but this sounds messy and
against the tile/grout ethic!
I searched the group to see if this question had been asked before, but
couldn't find an answer.
Thanks and best wishes,
Julie

From my experience this is the way it's done. How wet will this area be? If
the joint is tight mastic will seal it. Or maybe a nonsanded grout should
work too.

Rich

--
"you can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"

"Julie" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,
My bathroom has two wall joins that aren't at right angles to each
other and almost constitute a curved wall. A builder tiling my walls
has solved this problem by bringing both parts of a cut tile together
at the "curve" without using spacers. I don't see how this can be
grouted or sealed as there is virtually no spaces between the 2 pieces
of tile. Before I ask him to do this part over, this time using
spacers between the 2 pieces of tile, I need to feel confident that
what he is doing is wrong. He says he can seal the join with mastic or
other filler used over the top of the tiles, but this sounds messy and
against the tile/grout ethic!
I searched the group to see if this question had been asked before, but
couldn't find an answer.
Thanks and best wishes,
Julie


It sounds like the same situation when the wall tile meets the floor tile
in a shower. Usably the tile is butted without a gap and then caulk added.
If your tile is in a wet situation there should be a water barrier under
the tile. ( tar paper then floated or cement board then tile) Grout is not
a water barrier, if there is no water proof membrane under the tile and it
is wet area you have a problem. If the joint you are talking about is just a
butt joint on a angle ( how I read it) I would do it the same way as the
installer is. He might be worried the joint if grouted, the grout would
crack. It's hard to say without seeing it and there is always deferent ways
of doing things.

Sorry about this, I got my terms wrong. The builder is suggesting using
either a thin batch of grout, or a silicon sealant. Unfortunately, my
concern is that the space which he has allowed is too narrow to allow
either of these substances to attach securely.

The areas in question are all over the bathroom - in the shower and in
other areas where condensation is likely.

thanks for replying - your suggestions would be appreciated.

Rich, thanks for response. The areas in question are spread throughout
the bathroom walls. Though none are within direct range of the shower
or taps, all are prone to condensation (it's a small bathroom, without
a window).

The builder has spoken in terms of 'making the grout into a paste' for
this purpose - could be that he's thinking of the nonsanded option.
I'll ask him - thanks for your suggestions.

Julie

Julie wrote:

Rich, thanks for response. The areas in question are spread throughout
the bathroom walls. Though none are within direct range of the shower
or taps, all are prone to condensation (it's a small bathroom, without
a window).

The builder has spoken in terms of 'making the grout into a paste' for
this purpose - could be that he's thinking of the nonsanded option.
I'll ask him - thanks for your suggestions.

I'd use an acrylic caulk in such an application--it'll go into very
small cracks much easier than a grout mixture (unless it's mixed so thin
it'll be very prone to shrinking as it dries) and will be quite
water-tight.

Corners and bottoms of tile wall sections should never be grouted.
They should have an 1/8 to 1/4" gap that needs to be caulked with
a good grade of caulk. This allows for expansion/contraction/wall
movement/tub flex, etc.

I don't understand how you have a tile wall that is not flat. It
should have been straightened with mud or framing and wonder board
before tile application.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Julie" wrote in message
oups.com...
Sorry about this, I got my terms wrong. The builder is
suggesting using
either a thin batch of grout, or a silicon sealant.
Unfortunately, my
concern is that the space which he has allowed is too narrow to
allow
either of these substances to attach securely.

The areas in question are all over the bathroom - in the shower
and in
other areas where condensation is likely.

thanks for replying - your suggestions would be appreciated.