How would you fix this?? (bathroom tile)

[SandrA9810]

The soap dish in the spare bathroom shower is loose on the wall. It's the kind with the raised edge to sit on top of the surrounding tiles, but it's grouted into the wall like the rest of the tiles.

It's only a little wobbly, but there's no seal around the edge with the surrounding tiles. My aunt is worried about too much moisture getting behind it and ruining the wall behind. If I yank it out, I'm afraid I will damage the wall even more, and turn it into something I can't fix. The shower is only used when I'm here, so a few months out of the year.

The previous owner of the house, was an elderly lady that lived here on her own. So I'm sure she didn't even realize it was loose, since there's a master bath in the bedroom. So who knows how long it's been loose or how it got that way.

I say to just buy some caulk and seal it. My aunt says that won't keep it from breaking loose again. So how would you fix it?? I really don't want to go at it with a hammer, if I don't have to.

 

[BunsenH]

I would try to force some adhesive into the larger gaps. Loctite makes a good one. Then, when it is more secure, caulk with acrylic or silicone.

If there is any 'play' in the dish, secure it while drying so that the top horizontal edge is tight against the tile. This will keep the most water out.

Good luck

 

[SandrA9810]

Thanks.

Since it's rarely used, I don't really see the need for breaking the thing apart to replace it, but I do understand the need to keep water out.

Need to head to home depot tomorrow, so i'll look for the lock tight.