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aZamaryk t1_j2dwy49 wrote

Clean all off all the old caulking, then reinstall with silicone or siliconized caulk?

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Toad32 t1_j2e3ydv wrote

Use anti bacterial Silicone. I am recaulking my shower for the 3rd time after mold got into the silica.

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upstateduck t1_j2flr68 wrote

3rd time in 3 years?

This is an unpopular idea but the reason the caulk between a tile wall and the tub gets moldy/fails prematurely is because the tile grout is porous and the water travels down [osmosis] until it is trapped by caulk at the tub. The constant wet spot allows mold to colonize.

It has become "common sense" to caulk that interface but if you were to remove the caulk the mold would not form.

OTOH to use nothing there requires careful waterproofing at the level behind the tile. A properly constructed shower should be functional/waterproof before any tile is installed

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mxmcharbonneau OP t1_j2dx6zl wrote

That's what I thought but I wasn't sure, thanks a lot!

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CloudMage1 t1_j2e2myr wrote

He is right. Just make sure you clean the tub area that's your gluing too really really. Also wipe it with alcohol to make sure no residue remains for other cleaners before reglueing.

Glue it using a continuous bead of a silicone caulk. Also run a bead on the sides inside of the shower where the track meets the shower. Let dry for 24 hours before use. A bunch says you can go sooner, but if it gets touched or anything you can disform the beads you've run or even bump the track back out of place as it's not fully cured.

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