Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 31, 2000 04:36am | #1

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   Pain in the neck, isn't it? The main solution is to keep the area dry; one person I knew even toweled the stall dry after showers. I try to provide adequate ventilation, but during the humis summer it doesn't do much good.

   AT home the GE "tub&tile" caulk molded up pretty quick. A hastily-applied streak -- right over the GE, no cleaning first -- of my absolute favorite adhesive latex caulk, Polyseamseal, has lasted two years with almost no degradation. Try it, with of course good technique (clean surfaces, bead pressed into solid contact, large enough bead to allow it to stretch across the gap).... I like to tool the caulk with a wet thumb.

2. 
   Mike_Jaskwhich | Jul 31, 2000 04:52pm | #2

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   Great idea. And you answered 2 of my questions. I have always wondered if you should "tool" the caulk with your finger or just try to caulk without touching. I suspected that any contact with the caulk might reduce the bond between caulk and substrate.
   As for the Polyseamseal. Who makes it? Do you always apply over the original caulk or can it be applied straight to the shower wall?
   As for cleaning and drying I use acetone which both cleans and removes residual moisture; but watch out for the fumes.

3. 
   m_jasko | Aug 01, 2000 08:22am | #3

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   question: I have been struggling for years trying to find an effective way
   seal along the wall on bathroom showers and tubes. I have tried all kinds of caulking but the mold always seems to come between the caulk and wall. The only remedy seems to periodically strip the caulk and replace with new caulk. Do you have a suggestion for a technique and type of caulk. Will it work for all applications?

4. 
   Guest_ | Aug 01, 2000 08:22am | #4

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   Polyseamseal ... I think it's made by Chem-Rex or OSI, both of which make some other great stuff (PL adhesive, etc.) ... and true to the label it has good adhesive properties, I've used it as glue in a pinch. Anyway, Home Depot sells it, next to the 900 flavors of DAP.

   You shouldn't put good caulk over bad. I only did it out of aggravation and laziness -- but hey it worked.

   Uh, for day-to-day moisture, good ventilation is probably best. :)