Replies

1. 
   Danusan11 | Jul 10, 2005 06:08am | #1

   Just wondering why was it caulked to begin with?

2. 
   RichBeckman | Jul 10, 2005 06:33am | #2

   If the shower was built correctly, then there is a drainage plane behind the tile. So it isn't a disaster that the caulk joint is bad. But it should be fixed.

   It is appropriate that the wall/floor intersection is caulked and not grouted.

   Only five months old??? I'd be calling the installer.

   If I installed it, I'd want to know this happened (maybe the caulk is at fault and I'd just switched to that brand)...and I'd want to fix it at no additional charge.

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

1. 
   JasonG | Jul 10, 2005 07:48am | #4

   Hey guys,

   thanks for the response. I think a call to the installer is appropriate and reasonable.

   I do not that the tile was installed over suitable tile backer and the floor is over a mud bed with vinyl liner. So hopefully no moisture will contact wood at any time soon.

   If at the least, he will know that the caulk has failed and make take measures in future installs.

   Any other comments?

3. 
   davidmeiland | Jul 10, 2005 07:47am | #3

   There are a lot of tilesetters who won't caulk the inside corners in showers, because all of the 'grout' caulks (sanded caulks in colors to match grout) are acrylic latex and will start to break down fairly quickly in a continually wet environment. A shower with a mortar bed floor that's used regularly will not dry out and the caulk will almost certainly fail. It is not a sign that water is leaking into the structure.

   That said, a lot of tilesetters swear by caulk. They don't like to see the joints that open up in inside corners when they're grouted. Which they will.

   A guy I talked to once had a nifty idea... grout the inside corner, wait for a slight gap to open up, and then caulk that gap. Might try that next time I do a shower.

   Anyway, pick your poison.

1. 
   JasonG | Jul 10, 2005 07:53am | #5

   Hey David,

   Just got your resonse and that makes sense as the back of caulk tube says "not suitable for standing water situations" or something like that.

   I have heard it takes an unsealed ceramic tile shower at least two days to dry out, but you say it doesnt dry out. Any risk down the road with this?

   I have read a bunch about sealing tile and sounds like the way to go, short of wiping dry the whole shower after each use.

   Any thoughts?

1. 
   billyg | Jul 10, 2005 04:51pm | #6

   The acrylic latex caulk doesn't last when it stays wet, as you found out.  if that joint is caulked you need 100% silicone caulk (not "siliconized" acrylic latex).  You can find color matched 100% silicone caulk in better tile stores. 

   Here's some good reading for you:http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20066

   http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=11235

   Billy

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jul 10, 2005 05:41pm | #7

   I have not seen good color caulks in 100% silicone, good to know it's out there. My problem would be with getting the caulk joint to look like grout. With the acrylic grout caulks you can sponge them like grout and they blend in perfectly.

1. 
   billyg | Jul 10, 2005 07:27pm | #8

   I've heard they even have sanded 100% silicone but I've never used it.  It would be nice to get rid of that slick silicone look.

   Billy

2. 
   BryanSayer | Jul 11, 2005 01:23am | #10

   Another way is to put grout in the joint, but leave it shy of the surface. After it cures, put clear caulk on top. Pretty much disappears.

4. 
   AdamGreisz | Jul 10, 2005 09:03pm | #9

   I have been told by one of our tile setters that you should not caulk the joint where the floor meets the walls to let any moisture that has gotten behind the tiles to escape. His company believes that moisture will get to the backer board and possible even through. They use 15 lb felt behind the backer that is lapped over the pan material. So they leave that connection unsealed to let moisture cure out of the wall system. This also could be why your caulk is failing.

    

   Adam Greisz

   Owen Roberts Group

   10634 East Riverside Drive # 100

   Bothell, WA 98011

   http://www.owenrobertsgroup.com

   
   

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   Edited 7/10/2005 2:09 pm ET by Adam Greisz