Tub and Tile Caulking Tips
These caulking tips will solve some of your biggest headaches of home maintenance when dealing with leaky and mildew stained fixtures. Actually there are some very simple and effective ways to solve these problems that can be accomplished in less than an hour. Go to your neighborhood hardware store and buy a caulking gun and a tube of “tub and tile caulk”.
First, make sure you don’t squeeze out too much caulk while applying it, so you want to cut a small hole at the tip; if the gap is bigger than your bead of caulk, trim the tip a little more. The worst thing you can do is cut the tip too big because you’ll spend most of your time cleaning up. After you get a bead the size of the crack, then go back and use your finger to smooth it out. While your caulking gun is ready to go, seal any openings where fixtures come through the wall.
If you have smaller sealing projects you can purchase toothpaste-size tubes that can be disposed of at the end of this task. Drying times vary, some take 48 hours or more, thus spacing out multiple sealing projects over time is prudent so that you always have a usable shower or sink. These same steps apply for re-caulking the base of a tub, shower or sink.
Tub leaks
Tub leaks can be caulked in much the same manner, however depending on where your leak is coming from, tub leaks can be a bear fix. Check your spout to see if it is leaking water, maybe it is the handle either hot or cold not turning off completely. If this is the case, then, simply shut off the water at the meter box and remove the handle that needs repair. Usually all that is needed is a new O-ring due to wear and tear of the old one.
If you have a leak from the plumbing of your tub, you may have a little bigger problem. Look at the wall behind the tub and access the plumbing from a panel on one side of the tub or from underneath in the basement or crawl space. You can replace the drain fittings or if you are fortunate, just tighten them. If you don’t have access to your tub’s plumbing, now you will have to become a carpenter and create one. Hopefully your tub will back up to a closet or another room and not to an exterior wall. Cutting a hole into the drywall sounds hazardous, but patching drywall can’t be compared to the price of leaving a leaky fixture unattended.
Most leaks can be fixed by just replacing the drain fittings. A good tip is take your existing fittings with you to the hardware store to make sure you get the exact fit for your new one. Believe me, I have always said the hardest thing about plumbing repairs are the many trips back to the hardware store to purchase the correct item.
Give your caulking a good 24 hours of drying time before you use your tub, especially if your tub is a shower/tub combination. Save your remaining caulk by placing a small stick or nail in the tip of the caulking tube, then wrap some tape around it to seal the opening. The caulking will remain usable for a few months.
Category: Home maintenance
