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Backer Rod For Crack Filling In Tub

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Danielle Landes

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Dec 7, 2023, 10:29:09 AM12/7/23
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Puchase"backer rod", a styrofoam rope, and place it in the joint first. Buy both sizes, 1/2 and 3/8 inch, and force fit it into the joint to within 1/4 inch of the surface. Apply the caulk over the filled joint and strike smooth. For pure silicone caulks, I dip my finger in acetone or lacqure thinner and strike the joint. For siloconized latex caulk use water and a sponge applicator. Keep a lot of clean wipe rags nearby and do not carry an excessive amount on your finger before cleaning it off.

Amen Brother to backer rod!! About 99% of the caulk joints I see in this country (USA) don't have backer rod AND THAT'S WHY THEY FAIL. Manufacturers of most sinks, toilets, tubs etc. don't leave room to tuck backer rod in where it is needed. For example, base of a tub, base of a toilet. It's stupid!! There should be a 1/4" to 3/8" wide notch, with depth a bit more than the width -- this would be perfect for caulking with backer.

Backer Rod For Crack Filling In Tub
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Your 3/8" to 1/2" wide gap is good, not excessive. However, you may have a problem with normal backer rod. Your gap is probably not deep enough for it. No problem. Use adhesive foam tape (like weatherstripping) instead, as shown in attached sketch. Note that the tape is narrower and thinner than the gap and is centered in it. I show the tape a bit arched, like a half-circle, although that may be somewhat difficult to make. Main thing: caulk thick at substrates, thin in middle.

Unionville, Ontario Frankie Jan 20, 2003 03:20am #3The two responses above sum it up quite well. I would choose the 1/4" ar 3/8" tile bead/ trim piece route as long as the backer board extends below the existing tile. You will need a substrate for the trim to be adhered to. I also think it will look as though you intended to do it from the start.

The directions with the backerboard said to leave a 1/4" gap between the backerboard and the tub, which I did. I figured that if I should also leave that much gap between the tub and any point on the tile, which I did. The tile is 8" by 12" and is thicker than smaller tiles. To leave a 1/4" gap between the tub and the edge of tile nearest backerboard meant that the front face, the finished face of the tile, protruded far enough away from the wall that the gap between the front edge and the tub was 3/8" to 1/2". The reason is that the edge nearest the backerboard was right above the rounded-upward lip at the edge of the tub. By moving away from the wall, the gap increased when the lip disappeared.

There is your error. The backer board should be held shy of the tub. The tiles the should extend BEYOND the edge of the backer board and almost touch the tub. By keeping the back board high, there is LESS (not zero) oppertunity for the water to wick up behind the tiles.

Now, you have a real TLC job. Tile fill-in is no longer an option since there is nothing there for the tile trim to be secured to. The foam backer rod seems to be the only option. However you must be careful of how far IN you tuck the foam rod. You should be trying for a compression fit between the tub/ lip upper edge and the under/ bottom edge of the backerboard. This is assuming the backer board is indeed above and not behind the tub perimeter. Is it? Or is it on a different (further back) plane than the tub edge/ side?

If you consider the thin tile approach to filling this extra space, just remember not to pack it in too tightly. An expansion gap of sorts is needed at any location where a tile field contacts a dissimlar material, or a change in plane. Specifically, always use caulk at the corners and between the tile and the tub. Caulk is flexible ands allows some expansion to occur, whereas grout will crack and fail over time.

For large gaps, insert a backer rod first before you apply your caulk. Make sure to purchase a rod which is nonporous and designed for use in wet areas. After you have pushed the backer rod into place, apply caulk on both sides of the rod to secure it in place.



Some contractors grout the space between the tile and tub. As a home settles, however, grout can crack. If this happens in your home, remove the grout and replace it with caulk. As we mentioned earlier, you can find different colors of caulk at your local home improvement store to match your grout.

Cracks and gaps in concrete are more than just an eyesore. Water can get into the joints, freeze and then expand, making the cracks even larger. Gaps against a house can direct water against the foundation, leading to more problems. Once a year, go around your home and fill these gaps and joints with urethane caulk (or polyurethane caulk) to prevent problems. The expansion joint caulk is available at contractor supply stores, well-stocked home centers and hardware stores. For gaps and joints more than 1/4 in. wide, install foam backer rod to support the caulk. You want the rod to fit tight in the joint, so buy it one size larger than the gap.

I am assuming that you are placing ceramic tile. If you are saying that you have a 1/4" gap between your Hardiebacker and the front of the tub, Do Not fill with backer rod and silicone. That should be filled with the thinset you use to set your floor tiles.Even though it is a small area, the silicone and backer are flexible and a force on the edge of the tile can make it crack. if you are concerned about water infiltration from water down the front of the tub or on the floor, you can seal the grout after you are done, or use a grout that does not need sealed, ( Not my favorite type of grout.)
Red Guard is a good product. You can fill the gap with thinset. Let it dry. Tape off the tub, leaving just about 1/16-1/8" gap to the thinset. Apply your Red Guard and have at the tile the next day. When done your floor will be very waterproof to below under normal use.

Literally and figuratively, there is so much flexibility available with a foam backer rod. This handy item blocks out any unwanted moisture and streamlines many processes for construction workers. That is why it will be quite easy to find these foam rods on a construction site, as they provide so much versatility and ease. Keep reading if you are not entirely familiar with these helpful objects or wish to learn some useful information; here is everything you need to know about foam backer rods.

True to their name, foam backer rods are round tubes made of a spongy material that makes them very flexible and perfect for fitting into small, tight areas. Moreover, they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, making them perfect for any job.

Did you know that foam backer rods were specifically designed to fill any joints or crevices before applying sealant? If you haven't heard of using a foam backer rod when caulking, you might assume there is really no point to them, but you would be wrong. Their waterproof, flexible, and malleable nature makes them supremely helpful for weatherproofing purposes, closing off gaps, preventing sealant from cracking, and improving the aesthetic appeal of your house.

Depending on the size, they are not always required, but they are extremely beneficial if you work on any renovation or construction project. It would help if you used a foam backer rod for any crack, gap, or joint larger than a one-quarter inch that needs filling. Without a rod, the caulking job could fail because there is too much space for the sealant to fill. Moreover, with a foam backer rod, your caulking job can withstand the test of time.

The sole purpose of caulk is to close off the crack between the door and brick, not to fill in the back of the crack. If you use caulk to fill in the back, the sealant is more likely to crack or appear distorted. A foam backer rod takes the phrase "I've got your back" to a whole new level, as it fills up the back of a crack so the caulk can do its job.

The use of caulking is multidimensional; it can repair gaps, joints, and cracks in or around your house's exterior, its interior, and all surfaces. Caulking is extremely valuable, but to make the most of its use and ensure its longevity, you should consider using a foam backer rod. Many people don't use rods simply because they are unaware of their existence and caulk a joint without one. With a backer rod, you will be caulking like a pro!

There is nothing more frustrating than feeling a cool chill emanating from a window or door somewhere in your household. Cracks can occur due to normal wear and tear or improper sealant application. That is why most construction workers will use a foam backer rod, as it helps make an airtight and waterproof seal that caulking alone cannot efficiently and entirely do.

With proper weatherproofing applied to your household, air can't seep in or out as quickly. Foam backer rods will also help improve your stress, as you might see a significant improvement in your energy bill.

A Caulk is a sealing material used to seal cracks, joints, gaps, or seams around various areas of your home. They are one of the flexible sealing compounds which fill up gaps and cracks, protecting against leakage of air, water, dust, insects, etc.

When you avoid sealing, moisture can reach through these gaps and can damage the materials behind your bathtub. In addition, this could also result in the growth of mold, mildew, fungus, and bacteria.Therefore, when you notice such gaps around your home, they need to be filled with Caulk as soon as possible. But, how large of a gap can be filled with a Caulk?How Large Of A Gap Can You Fill with Caulk?If the gap sizes up to 1/4 inch, it is always recommended to fill the gap with a single bead of caulk (A line of caulk is called bead). For larger gaps of more than 1/4 inch, first, fill the rear end with a foam backer rod (also known as the spine), then apply a caulk layer.

Therefore, you can visit any nearby hardware store or purchase from an e-commerce store. When purchasing a backer rod foam, ensure selecting an appropriate size that fits into the gap.What Is the Best Type of Bathtub Caulk?Caulk TypePropertiesSuitabilitySiliconeMold and mildew resistance. Highly flexible and less likely to crack, peel, and distort.Acrylic LatexMost common for general purpose.Acrylic Tile SealantComes in small tubes and is commonly used for wet applications.Vinyl LatexLasts longer than general purpose Acrylic Latex.PolyurethaneHighly durable and professional grade. Mostly used in road repair, plumbing, construction.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined')ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'fixncleanwizard_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',340,'0','0']);__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fixncleanwizard_com-medrectangle-4-0');Silicone caulks are most suited for tub and shower materials. They have an antimicrobial additive to prevent mold and mildew to build up. In addition, caulks made of pure silicone are durable enough to seal cracks in masonry and concrete.In addition, Silicone caulks are not sensitive to temperature changes, which makes them suitable for extreme environments. Therefore, it is recommended to choose pure silicone for the project around your bathroom.
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