Bathroom Recaulking, Facts and Myths

Bathroom recaulking is not the type of topic that comes up between friends and families at get-togethers.

You’ll never hear someone say, “How’s your bathtub caulk doing?” However, that does not mean that bathroom recaulking, or caulking in general, is not important. Caulking around wet-dry spaces is essential to maintain a protective barrier, which moisture cannot penetrate or seep behind. Here are a few facts and myths about bathroom caulking.

What kind of caulk should be used for bathroom caulking?

A lot of DIYers might prefer using a latex caulk, because the material is simpler to work with. However, The Grout Medic recommends 100% silicone bathroom caulking, because it offers the best protection.

Is bathroom recaulking expensive?

You can expect to pay four or five times the (very inexpensive) cost of caulking your bathroom yourself. It is quite an inexpensive endeavor to hire someone, like The Grout Medic to recaulk your bathroom. What’s more, having your bathroom recaulking project performed by a trained professional means that you are guaranteed the best results – for both aesthetics and proper protective application. The Grout Medic doesn’t simply replace your caulk. We remove your old caulk, treat the area behind with a mold retardant, and reapply new caulk.

How often should you consider bathroom recaulking?

It really all depends. Some online sources will give you a ballpark of about every five years for recaulking parameters. And while that’s a good estimate to start, you must remember that tubs and showers that see a lot of usage can require recaulking more frequently. There are a few ways to determine if it’s time to recaulk your bathroom.

1. Is your shower or tub caulk discolored? If so, it’s time to call on The Grout Medic to take out your old caulk and replace it anew.
2. Is your shower or tub caulk separating from the surface or shrinking? This scenario, too means that it’s time to uninstall your deteriorating caulk, and replace it with new caulk.

Is it really necessary to caulk your bathroom?

While caulk is not a glamorous exploit or beautiful finish product, it is necessary to protect the spaces behind your tub or shower. There are typically protective materials used behind your shower walls and floors, but that does not mean that a tub or shower can be left devoid of the material. Depending on your home’s construction, water flowing or slowly seeping behind those areas can cause extensive damage to your home’s structure. A caulk-less shower or tub could lead to a full-scale tile water damage repair project.

For the best professional bathroom caulking near me, call a Grout Medic near you! Get in touch with us by filling out our form here. We look forward to hearing from you!