Wednesday, March 24, 2010

in lieu of school bus

Note to self: stop bitching about driving the kids to school. It could be worse.

(shudder)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to scraping gross, mildewy (then bleached, then rubbing alcoholled) caulk from our tub. Which, I hasten to note, I'm doing now because I can - and not because mildew has any bearing on Passover prep whatsoever.

It is mere coincidence that the lack of useable tub/shower has a bearing on our incoming houseguests....

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sorry you wasted your time with the bleach and rubbing alcohol! -- had I recognized it as cruddy sandy caulk (who en-sands caulk?) rather than as cruddy grout I wouldn't have suggested all that cleaning process first.

Abacaxi Mamao said...

What's the difference between caulk and grout? I somehow thought grout went between the tiles and caulk went betweenthe tiles and the tub, but that they were the same substance. Is one stiff and cement-like and the other expansive and rubbery?

ZM said...

Jen, I think that the mystery is solved here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19836131-Tile-Corner-Grout-or-Caulk

And, Abacaxi Mamao, I found the answer to your question there: grout is used between tiles, caulk is used at joints. I was told by several somebodies thus far (including an awed, horrified plumber who came today) that the tiles should reach down under the level of the tub. So, where tiles meet tub, you'd have caulk. But under that, tiles are quietly meeting tiles and continuing to line up - those have grout. And because of the overlap in meeting-points(tile-tile-tub), you end up with grout between tiles, and caulk on top, to make the join between tiles and tub.

um. Maybe I'd better draw a picture?

joy said...

I would totally take a zip wire over the bus rides I had to take. AWESOME! but you know, that's just me.