Caulking a tub with tile?

Question

I caulk around the tub where the tile meets. I let it set for 2 days. Then I use the shower, after a few days it seems the caulk is not sticking. I can see it coming up from the ends. What is the problem.

Answer 1

What type of caulk are you using? It needs to be a tub and tile caulk. If it is a latex base the water will just loosen it. Did you clean the area that you put the caulk on?

Answer 2

You are not allowing enough time for the moisture that has gotten behind the tile to dry out. You need to dig out all the loose grout. You can get a grout file at a home depot type store. Vacuum out the grout gaps and allow a few days to dry out. Either don't use this shower stall or tape up some plastic sheeting to prevent the water from getting on the tile. After it has dried I would recommend using grout to refill the gaps, not caulking. Grout can be bought in pre mixed containers and follow the instructions on them to finish. If you insist on using caulk then I would suggest using an adhesive caulk, 100% silicone such as phenosol. This is water clean up until dried. Push as much as you can into the gaps and wipe the excess away with damp, not wet rags. Don't be afraid to use a finger to get it into the gaps.

Answer 3

You probably aren't giving the caulk enough time to dry and ad-hear to the tub and tile. Use a good water proof tile caulk. and don't use the tub for a couple of days and it should be OK.

Answer 4

Both first answers are valid in what they suggest. Number one question I have is what type of caulk did you use? It has to be silicone based not acrylic based.

You state you tiled down to a point where tile and tub meet. Did that allow for the LIP on the tub, designed specifically for an overlap of whatever is used as a Wall covering? This is most evident, and done with the molded plastic tub surrounds.

The other issue, as stated, is allowing a cure time, and that relates to any caulk substance. Despite what tubes say on the directions panel, you're producing an environment for the caulk,,,by adding water/moisture, that will retard curing.

An example might be attempting to use even a proper caulk on a joint submerged in a tub of water.

If in fact the tile does cover the molded, included lip, rising from the tub horizontal rim, then the issue is less critical, with regard to water seeping behind the tile and tub to the substrate, but still should be caulked properly.

The silicone EVEN designated TUB and TILE should solve the problem, but keep in mind that any caulk is still subject to mildew/mold/degredation, maintenance, and probable replacement in time.

Steven Wolf