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Cleaning Tips Bathrooms

Shower Caulk Mildew

Earthly Delights

3 months ago

I think I have to remove all the caulk to get rid of the mildew, right? If that’s correct, is there a way to at least delay the return of the mildew? It seems like it doesn’t take any time for it to just get mildewy again and re-caulking the entire shower is a project…

Featured Answer

millworkman

3 months ago

Do you have an adequate bathroom fan? Do you run it for 30 minutes after running the shower? What type of caulk was used? Needs to be 100% silicone and I would use tub & tile which would have a mold inhibitor. But yes, ALL that caulk needs to come off/out and, cleaned and allowed to dry well before reapplying.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Earthly Delights
Original Author
3 months ago
Unfortunately, there is no fan in the bathroom. And I don’t know what kind of caulk my contractor used.
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kculbers
3 months ago
Thank you Millworkman. I have to replace our silicone caulk too!
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millworkman
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
" Unfortunately, there is no fan in the bathroom "

Then, unfortunately you will never stop the mildew. Spend the money and add a good fan.
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Earthly Delights thanked millworkman
PRO
Earthly Delights
Original Author
3 months ago
@millworkman - thanks. Someday, I will. I asked my contractor about that when he was doing some other work in my home, and, apparently, it would be a major expense - such that if I put a fan in, I might as well gut/remodel the entire bathroom, which I'm just not in a position to do right now. I understand that that means redoing the grout every couple of years.
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millworkman
3 months ago
You also need to remember, grout is not nor was ever intended to be waterproof. Water passes thru the grout so expect a moldy rotten mess behind that tile when you finally do the gut. Not trying to scare you but what you see is usually the least of the issue.
PRO
Minardi
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
That is already past the point of needing replacement. It's guaranteed to be leaking, and have mold and rot issues. Caulk will not fix what is wrong here.
PRO
Earthly Delights
Original Author
3 months ago
Thank you everyone. I have a call into my contractor.
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