Jeff is correct. Industry standard is silicone caulk at changes of plane. He did it correct and you asked him to remove and do it incorrectly. It's also difficult to find professional tile craftspeople to do that type of work if it wasn't their installation to begin with (with the exception of companies that specialize in grout and caulk repair/replacement, which perhaps is who you hired)?

The guy we used is supposedly a specialist in tiling - installation, repairs etc. He recommended the grout and then it was only when it had the discoloration he was going to do sanded caulk because he didn’t understand why and in a way was trying to blame me. Is sanded caulk the same thing as silicone caulk. I am going to call him again bc I don’t want discoloured grout. Can anyone tell me what might be causing this? (Again I haven’t turned on the water) and the dark spots are in different spots than the last time he regrouted it.

When he comes back again - what should I have him do? Regrout? Silicone caulk? Sanded grout? This is a high end condo so I want to make sure it continues this appearance.

Thanks!

What brand sanded caulk? I doubt very much it is silicone caulk as I have never heard of sanded silicone. As far as the discoloring, impossible to tell, especially since you state the shower has not been used. Has it ever been used? How was it constructed? Any in progress pictures?

Don’t know what brand sanded caulk as he didn’t tell me. Should I have him use sanded caulk or silicon caulk that will end up having a shiny appearance.

The shower was perfect and had no stains except some very minor cracking but since the place is a high end condo and less than 2 years old, I am trying to keep the place nice. The first time he regrouted the edges there was a bunch of darker grout marks, see first image. The second time he redid it the original dark areas went away but now there is new dark areas in different spots which makes me think it has to be his grout or his technique. Either way it shouldn’t be my issue!

If I call him back what should I tell him to do? Regrout? Silicone caulk? Sanded caulk?

.

"Industry standard is silicone caulk at changes of plane"

Sanded caulk is caulk with sand in it...it is not as flexible as regular caulk. A color matched silicone caulk should be used at changes of plane because it is flexible. The variation in color you are seeing could be because the portland cement is drying at different rates, maybe because the grout is old or improperly mixed. Anyway grout has no place in the joints you are concerned about.

Thank you this is helpful. so i should call him and tell him to add silicone caulk and not to use sanded caulk since there is no such thing as silicone sanded caulk?

It is possible to get a silicone caulk with texture, so it doesn't look shiny. But that is not the same thing as "sanded caulk". You can get the caulk color-matched to your specific grout if that is something you want.

The fact that he recommended grout for that application, and then suggested "sanded caulk" does not bode well for the correct outcome.

Thanks for all your advice I will let him know and also be sure to write a review he had some great reviews so quite disappointed any recomendations in chicago?

Can someone recomend a silicon caulk with texture. i messaged the guy and he said if i bought it, he would install it for me so annoying but at least i can buy something good

Color Sil caulk by Color Rite comes in standard, satin, and sanded. You can have just about any color you want. Be prepared for sticker shock.

Go with what Catbuilder recommended. They have sanded silicone in any color you need. Not cheap with shipping but it is the best.....here is their website https://colorriteinc.com/color-rite/

Thank you all! i am ordering a couple bottles of the color sil in sanded as recommended thank you!

WOW...you are fast!