Replies

1. 
   Matt | Jan 05, 2007 02:43pm | #1

   I think any caulk mildews over time in a frequently used tub or shower.

   The GEII now says something about "BioSeal" on the tubes.  Not sure if that is something new or not.  BTW, I had a nightmare of a time with GE II several months ago at my own house.  The caulk had not been stored per mfg instructions (got hot in my truck) and it didn't cure.  What a bummer...  Had to remove and re-do.

1. 
   RyanBrant | Jan 06, 2007 11:14am | #11

   Seems most others are recommending against silicone.  My silicone is in a constant state of mildew.  How did you remove your silicone, albeit uncured?  Any others with advice feel free to jump in.  To the OP, sorry for this semi-hijack.

2. 
   DanH | Jan 05, 2007 06:47pm | #2

   I've found that using A&H "Clean Shower" spray in our shower prevents mildew.

   One thing to avoid is cleaning the caulk with strong bleach solutions, as that seems to roughen the surface and make it more apt to mildew.

   Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm but the harm does not interest them. --T.S. Eliot
3. 
   TFelcone | Jan 05, 2007 08:20pm | #3

   Jon,

   Polyseamseal. Found out about it here.  5 mos. - so far so good.

   Tom F

4. 
   jg | Jan 06, 2007 01:40am | #4

   I think the newer silicones with the bio-seal or work well.

   I used DAP tub and shower silicone (normally use GE ) and it has held up just fine.

5. 
   Billy | Jan 06, 2007 01:56am | #5

   Laticrete has excellent silicone caulk, in lots of colors too.  You'll need to get it through a tile store.  I think it's called Latisil.

   Billy

6. 
   rasconc | Jan 06, 2007 02:09am | #6

   Anyone else like Lexel?  You have to work quick and accurate but I think it is about the best around, it and the aforementioned Polyseamseal beat any silicone I have used.  I hate silicone.

1. 
   coonass | Jan 06, 2007 03:31am | #8

   rasconc,Another Lexel fan here. I dip my finger in thinner and tool it quick.KK

7. 
   Shep | Jan 06, 2007 02:56am | #7

   I use a latex caulk with a mildewcide added. They're usually marketed as a tub and tile caulk.

   I find silicone caulks grow mildew pretty quickly, for some reason. I gave up using them years ago.

8. 
   gb93433 | Jan 06, 2007 04:48am | #9

   I have used Polyseamseal for about 20 years and it works great. It is a caulk and adhesive. I have never seen it mold or mildew.

9. 
   Harborman | Jan 06, 2007 05:02am | #10

   jono1:  One of the reasons mold occures in the tub and shower areas is that the food supply is actually our skin.  We shed skin constantly.   Also most of the silicone caulk now has an expiration date, I found out the hard way.  Oh well and life goes on.  Have a Great Day.  Regards,  Dale Buchanan from Harbor Springs, Michigan

10. 
    Hackinatit | Jan 06, 2007 12:22pm | #12

    I solved the mold issue... I don't use caulk around the tub.

    Think about an exterior siding drainage plane a minute. 

    If you are flashing a rake/gable at a roof intersection, do you caulk the bottom of the siding to the flashing? No. Why? Because that seals any moisture behind the siding, leading to mold, fungus and rot from constant moisture.

    A tiled shower/tub surround is the same thing, except it's in a more harsh environment. It must survive multiple wettings and temperature change cycles per day in some cases. It's assaulted with daily feedings of soaps and conditioners that may contain organic compounds. The perfect mold hotel if it never dries.

    The shower water that saturates the grout gravitates to the bottom of the tile field. 

    The bathtub has a drainage lip behind the tile that can best be described as flashing. 

    If you caulk the gap between the bottom tile and the tub flashing, you have just sealed off the best passage for air to accept the excess moisture. 

    Warm and wet is the perfect environment for many great things... but mold isn't even a good thing. ;)

    I prefer good cuts on the tile and a slight airgap at the tub. It may not be as pretty as a clean caulk line, but I hate the look of mold and hate removing/re-caulking even moreso. 

    Troy Sprout

    Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."
    -- Thomas Sowell

11. 
    jono1 | Jan 06, 2007 02:56pm | #13

    Thanks everyone for your replies.

    The reason I want to use silicone is because I need to caulk a joint on a plastic surround which was previously caulked with silicone. Although I removed the bulk of the silicone, there are still traces. I don't think anything will stick to silicone other than silicone.

    I'd remove all the silicone if I could but it's hard enough to remove on porcelain, but on plastic, I think its impossible to get it all off without damaging it.

    Jon

1. 
   DanH | Jan 06, 2007 03:55pm | #14

   Silicone won't stick to silicone. Try one of the caulk remover products to soften up that last little bit.
   Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm but the harm does not interest them. --T.S. Eliot

2. 
   Billy | Jan 06, 2007 05:08pm | #15

   The newer silicon doesn't seem to have the mold problems of the older stuff.  I definitely wouldn't use siliconized latex, particularly in a shower.  It goes on easy but it certainly won't last like silicon.  I haven't use Polyseamseal or Lexcel; they may be fine.

   Billy

3. 
   Hackinatit | Jan 07, 2007 03:06am | #17

   i didn't know tile was uninvolved.

   In my best, though hairless, Rosanna Rosanna Danna...

   "Never mind."

    Troy Sprout

   Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it."-- Thomas Sowell

12. 
    Egg | Jan 06, 2007 06:28pm | #16

    I too am not a real fan of silicone.  I see failures all the time, in bathrooms, along moldings, kitchens, and even roofs.  Sticks great at first.  It does have a wider temeprature application range, usually.

    Silicone does not like to stick to silicone, so when it does fail and it will, cleanup becomes a real chore especially the new anti fungi for bathrooms and kitchens. 

    Have an owner of fast food chain, insists on silicone.  Tried to show him and talk him out of it, so now every year we go in scrape it all out, solvent wash the area and apply new.

    I have had better luck with Polyseamseal, tools out the best performed better than silicone, lasted longer, easier to repair (did a small test area where the restraunt owner did not know about).  Really want to try the urethane materials, problems finding it especially in colors, even though it does not tool well I think it would be the best option.