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While on a job recently a home owner asked me to take a look at his leaky tub. The leak is at the fiberglass (no flange)tub to tile surround connection. The oversized whirlpool tub has been in place for three and a half years in a remodeled bathroom. They have recaulked (digging out the old first) it four times in the three and a half years. The last caulk job only lasted six months before the leaks started. They are 90% certain that the leak is due to the caulk (100% silicone) failing. My problem is I can’t figure out why it is failing. The only unusuall thing I noticed is that the tile sits right on the tub, not leaving much room for caulk.
Has anyone else run into this situation? I would appreciate any thoughts.
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Elasticity: The property or quality of being elastic, ie., an elastic body returns to its original form or condition after a displacing force is removed.
Fiberglas has a greater modulus of elasticity than ceramic tile. The displacing force would be gravity acting upon the mass of water/human bodies in the tub. When this force is removed--no water/human bodies--the tub would "spring" back to its former condition. The resulting strain (repeated cycles) of such elasticity results in a weakened caulk joint.
Its not the caulk at fault here, nor the narrowness of the joint. The tub should probably be supported in such a fashion to prevent such movement of the tub relative to the tile. Or, for the bandaid approach, your friend could quit using the latex caulk and go with a butyl rubber caulk.
*What Rich said. You also might try dap 230. It seems to move alot better than silicone & sticks well but I'm not sure about mold etc.the 2x4 supporting the rails at the wall were probobaly omited. You might try caulking it when it is full of water & leave it that way untill the caulk cures.
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Kohler sells a flange kit especially made for this purpose. Give them a call. They are quite helpful. It comes in a roll at whatever length you choose and adheres with double stick tape or 100% silicone. It is attached to the tub only and slides behind the tiles/ wallboard to eliminate any elasticity concerns. I have found it works quite well. If you cannot find it write back and I'll get you the spec in my office. You may think it's too late to use it on this job but it is the only sure fire solution I know. I no longer install stone or tile surrounds on tubs or basins without it.
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While on a job recently a home owner asked me to take a look at his leaky tub. The leak is at the fiberglass (no flange)tub to tile surround connection. The oversized whirlpool tub has been in place for three and a half years in a remodeled bathroom. They have recaulked (digging out the old first) it four times in the three and a half years. The last caulk job only lasted six months before the leaks started. They are 90% certain that the leak is due to the caulk (100% silicone) failing. My problem is I can't figure out why it is failing. The only unusuall thing I noticed is that the tile sits right on the tub, not leaving much room for caulk.
Has anyone else run into this situation? I would appreciate any thoughts.
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I agree with frank and have come to this conclusion the hard way. Now if there is no flange I guarentee it will leak