At a glance
- Topic
- A bead that keeps water out
- Reading time
- About 2 min
- Phone
- (365) 363-2754
- Matching repair
- Shower Valve Repair in Ajax
Why it matters
Water that gets behind tile wets the backer board and framing. In many Ajax bathrooms the tub sits over a kitchen or family room ceiling, so a failed joint shows up downstairs first.
The routine, in order
- Cut the old bead out. A plastic razor or caulk tool lifts it without scratching acrylic or enamel. Peel the strip; scrape the residue.
- Kill the mould. Wipe the joint with a mild bleach solution or a mould remover, rinse and let it dry fully, ideally a full day with the fan running.
- Tape the lines. Painter's tape on the tile and the tub, leaving a gap about the width of the joint.
- Fill the tub with water. The weight lowers it slightly, so the bead is laid at its widest.
- Run 100 percent silicone rated for kitchens and baths in one steady pass.
- Tool it with a gloved finger or a profile tool, then pull the tape off while the silicone is wet.
- Wait the curing time on the tube before showering, and drain the tub only after it has cured.
Mistakes to avoid
- Caulking over old caulk.
- Using acrylic latex caulk in a wet joint.
- Sealing over gaps so big that the tub itself is moving; that needs support underneath.
- Caulking the weep gap at the base of a tiled shower pan where the maker says to leave it open.
Local tip Black spots under fresh, clear silicone mean the joint was not dried long enough.
Where a plumber takes over
When the leak is from the drain, the overflow or the shower valve rather than the caulk. See shower valve repair and leak detection.
Questions we hear on the phone
How often should caulk be redone?
When it cracks, lifts or stains through. In a busy family bathroom that can be every few years.