I recently removed all of the caulk in our bathtub/shower, as it was mildewing and pretty gross looking. I scraped it all out with a putty knife, and wiped everything down with a towel to get rid of water/debris. I used a DAP bathtub/shower caulk, and allowed it to dry for 24 hours... however, within a day after that, the caulk started peeling and coming off.
Could there have still been water left behind tiles, shower doors, etc. that would cause this problem or something else? How can I avoid it when I re-do it?
We only have one shower, so leaving it to dry for an extended period of time is not an option. I had to do it on a Sat. morning right after taking showers, then let it dry until late Sunday morning. I know ideally you should let it dry before and after for longer than this, but I really don't have a choice.
FYI - the caulk I used came in a dispensing container like this (though it was not this exact product): http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=9
2007-09-20 07:31:16 · 6 answers · asked by Sarah 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It sounds like the surface was wet when you tried to caulk or the wall material behind the tile is wet and leaching out too much wetness. Try removing the caulk that is failing, apply a blow dryer to the seam for a while, then leave it alone while ventilating the bathroom. Do not use the tub or shower during this time. Let it dry out a bit. Finally, before you reapply the caulk, wipe the area with alcohol and wait until it evaporates then reapply the caulk.
If it continues to fail you have a serious moisture/mildew problem behind the tile that will eventually cause the tile adhesive to fail as well.
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2007-09-20 07:41:54 · answer #1 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first answer pretty much covers how to do it, UNLESS, the problem is not moisture. If you have an acrylic tub, the installer may have skipped installing a mortarbed under it. Without it, the tub can flex when someone enters it. This loosens the caulk seal. Then water enters and you see what happens. Try holding something solid on the edge of the tub (you will have to move it around the edges to make sure if the tub is flexing). Mark the top edge of the material you are using with a pencil. Have someone of decent weight enter the tub and look at the mark. Is it still at the top of the material or can you see a gap between the mark and the material? If you find the tub is flexing, protect the tub bottom and stack some heavy items (waterproof stuff) in the tub and fill as far as possible with water. Do the caulking and let it cure. Remove the water and "weights" and see if that cures the problem.
2007-09-20 09:39:48 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had mold, you will want to clean the area you are going to caulk with bleach. Let that dry fully (use a hair dryer if you're time constrained) before using caulk. Lay down the caulk and let it dry for a 24-hr minimum. After your shower, then wipe the water off your new caulk for the first couple days, giving it as much "dry" time as possible. These steps should fix your issue.
2007-09-20 10:36:03 · answer #3 · answered by Brian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a plain old wood chisel works best, usually about a 1" or a little wider if that's all you have. it doesn't have to be really sharp, just get under the bead of caulk and push. be careful not to gouge yourself, or the walls and tub
2016-05-19 03:42:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It must be completely clean and dry before you apply the caulk. Not waiting until it is THOUROGHLY dry is wasting both time and caulk.
Bert
2007-09-20 07:42:19 · answer #5 · answered by Bert C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is the correct one.
2007-09-20 08:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Tyson boy's dad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋