Reinstalling the tub/shower fixtures after a re-grout job. Of course, the
tile is chipped out around the faucet and shower arm stems. Should I
fill this empty space with caulk or perhaps plumbers buddy? I ask
because as far as I can tell, the previous plumber only caulked around
the rim of the plates which cover these holes but did not carefully fill
all the space surrounding the stems.

What's the best technique?


TIA -- LA

"Local Account" wrote in message
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Reinstalling the tub/shower fixtures after a re-grout job. Of course, the
tile is chipped out around the faucet and shower arm stems. Should I
fill this empty space with caulk or perhaps plumbers buddy? I ask
because as far as I can tell, the previous plumber only caulked around
the rim of the plates which cover these holes but did not carefully fill
all the space surrounding the stems.

What's the best technique?


TIA -- LA

As long as the face plates completely cover the cutout, all you need to do
is caulk around the perimeter. Packing the opening with putty around the
stem is something I have never seen or done. Seems like a waste. I would
use 100% silicone or Siliconized latex caulk (anything labeled for bathroom
really, read the label)

Now if you had the tile broken enough so that the plate does not cover the
hole, I would build it back up with fast setting thinset or just pack in
some grout and trowel flat so the plate covers the opening.

"PipeDown" wrote in
nk.net:


"Local Account" wrote in message
news
Reinstalling the tub/shower fixtures after a re-grout job. Of
course, the tile is chipped out around the faucet and shower arm
stems. Should I fill this empty space with caulk or perhaps plumbers
buddy? I ask because as far as I can tell, the previous plumber only
caulked around the rim of the plates which cover these holes but did
not carefully fill all the space surrounding the stems.

What's the best technique?


TIA -- LA

As long as the face plates completely cover the cutout, all you need
to do is caulk around the perimeter. Packing the opening with putty
around the stem is something I have never seen or done. Seems like a
waste. I would use 100% silicone or Siliconized latex caulk (anything
labeled for bathroom really, read the label)

Now if you had the tile broken enough so that the plate does not cover
the hole, I would build it back up with fast setting thinset or just
pack in some grout and trowel flat so the plate covers the opening.




Usually I caulk with silicone about 2/3 of the plate and leave it
uncaulked from about 4 to 8 o'clock. In the bottom of the plate at 6
o'clock I cut an open notch. If water is leaking from the stem, I want it
to come out there, not go back in the wall.