A client recently called me to look at the caulking in a shower we did about 2 years ago. I went over and sure enough the caulking at the base and wall transition was peeling off.
I removed the existing caulking and scrubbed everything down with acetone and recaulked using GE Kitchen and Bath Silicone. The same caulking that was used in the original installation. This caulking hasn’t lasted more than a few weeks and it’s already pulling up at the edges of the caulk joint.
Does anybody have any suggestions for a reliable long lasting caulk and or perhaps better cleaning methods?
BTW the tile is a polished marble that was sealed before installation.
Replies
Forget silly-cone. Use PTL or similar polyurethane cault. Also make sure the surface is absolutely dry before applying it. You may have to abrade the edge of the tile where the caulk contacts it, to provide some tooth to grab onto, also cutting through that sealer. Just have to be careful not to scrath up the tile where the caulk won't cover it. One of thos cheap, carbide grit grout removal tools works well, or a piece of 60 grit sandpaper wrapped around a paint stir-stick. Masking off the tile where you don't want to scratch it will help keep from going beyond the caulk line.
Hope that helps.
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In my opinion that caulk around the edges is a maintenance item that needs to be redone every few years. I don't think I've ever seen a caulk job last much longer and usually they are pretty nasty by then. Your problem is that you're trying to put silicone over the remains of old silicone and soap residue and it will never seal. Have at it with a razor scraper, rags, white Scotchbright pad, whatever and get the old silicone all off. Then use a good latex tub and Tile caulk and make sure your client understands the need for maintenance.
Did a natural stone shower and sealed the stone and grout, latter can back and applied sanded caulk at base of floor and shower wall. Vacation home, get call caulk failing, it was consistency of plumbers putty. Reapplied same thing over again. Can only attribute that sealer was leaching and eating caulk.
gave up on caulk and grouted the seam
How has that grout held up?I always hear that the grout is likely to crumble or fail at certain joints.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
You can lead a moderator to a computer, but you can't make him think. cussin2
no calls back, so I have to presume it worked
I am not a fan of Silicone. I know guys seem to use it for everything and it drives me crazy.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
You can lead a moderator to a computer, but you can't make him think. cussin2