simple bathtub seal questions

Submitted by COMiles t3_10sqtlb in DIY

Some of the caulk sealing my plastic bathtub to the tile backsplash has broken off in chunks. Small amounts of water can now leak into the wall.

I figure even I can apply a new line of caulk, but here are some questions:

1)should I use silicon? It's plastic to tile edge. The current caulk is a light brown and grainy, so it's probably not silicon?

  1. should I put it all around the tub, even though only a little patch has failed so far? It is less than 10 years old. Should I cut it all out first, or just put a new line over the top?

Thanks so much, I don't have the experience to know when I am making a basic mistake in materials or technique, so please don't assume I won't do something wrong just because it's incredibly stupid.

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Comments

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Pinstrip3 t1_j72x1qj wrote

Sanitary silicone and since You're at it just do everything. It'll save You from doing it again for few years.

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JeebusFright t1_j73ah2e wrote

Remove all the old sealant, clean up the surfaces as best you can, use a sealant removing product if need be. Reapply new sealant. Don't cheap out on the stuff, and if you need a plain white one, consider a mould resistant version. Applying it is a dark art, as others have suggested, watch some YouTube videos and then maybe practice on a scrap of wood to get a feel. Good luck!

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Ok_Gate_7323 t1_j74c6uu wrote

You should remove the old stuff completely. Yes, it is time consuming. Yes it sucks. Yes anyone can do it.

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LobsterIntrepid3224 t1_j74p0s3 wrote

Definitely remove all the old caulk, doesn't sound like it's is the right product. Like others have said silicon is the way to go. You can even get mould resistant ones especially for bathrooms. I have heard you are supposed to fill the tub with water to weigh it down whilst doing the silicon.

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FortyNorth13 t1_j76mqlu wrote

Yes remove the old caulk. Make sure the area is clean, smooth, and dry before applying. Do not recommend silicone. It is hellish to remove and does not stick to itself when dry so basically ruins all hope of redoing in the future without extreme steps- and definitely doesn’t last forever. Use a quality sealant instead- Lepage Quad or Flextra for example.

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ricardo9505 t1_j72wxmk wrote

Not sure why you haven't watched some YouTube vids by actual Pros. Caulk the whole thing, as comfortably as you can. Use a spatula for cement to clean the areas. Then a dust brush then alcohol. Simple bathroom sealant should hold for many years. Make sure your layering technique is good so it doesn't come out ugly and it actually bonds. And get that shit in there, finger method works fine or you can buy that thingy they sell at the hardware stores that's a slider like tool.

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COMiles OP t1_j72yvnq wrote

Thank you for the details.

I like watching applied technique from YT videos, but this allows me to ask my specific, basic questions that pros don't even consider anymore.

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