Plumbers Arlington, Texas

Reseal a Shower

If you have mold in your bathroom your shower may need resealing. A leaking shower will not only cause mold, but can cause expensive damage in your home.

A crack in the shower sealant allows water to leak out when using the shower. Unfortunately, the water ends up onto the floor or in walls. The following are signs that your shower may need resealing:

• The presence of mildew on shower wall.
• Damp floors may be present. Linoleum, wood and tile may display visible discoloration. Floors that are already damaged may feel ‘spongy’ and ‘give’ when you step on them, especially around walls.
• Damp walls, discoloration may be present.
• Increased moisture in the bathroom.
• The presence of termites in the bathroom.
• Grout and tiles in the shower falling out or cracking may be visible.
• Sealant is often seen peeling away.
• A musty or mildew odor may be detectable.

Replacing rotten floors, walls and damaged joists can be very costly. Resealing your shower will prevent it from leaking or causing damage. If you can’t find the leak your best option will be to reseal the shower at every caulk location. Before resealing you will need to remove all of the old caulk. Do not simply remove what is loose as you may miss other leaks.

To remove old caulk use a razor, box cutter or a tool made especially for removing caulk. It can be tedious work to remove old caulk from bathroom fixtures and can be difficult. One of the best makeshift tools to remove it is the razor tool used for cleaning smooth ceramic top stoves. The plastic case keeps fingers from getting cut and allows for a more even removal of old caulk. When using sharp instruments be careful not to cut your shower or yourself.

Begin by running your blade parallel to the wall to break the seal between the old caulk and your shower wall. Then run your tool or blade against the other surface to loosen the old caulk. Repeat until the old caulking is removed. You will still have a ‘skin coat’ that you will need to remove with a flat blade or denatured alcohol to remove the residue.

Next, you will need either a caulking gun or caulk in a squeezable tube to apply new caulk. Start in a corner and apply a thin line around the entire shower. Use a caulking tool to smooth it and press it tightly to stick to both surfaces, or use a wet fingertip. Clean up any excess caulk with a damp sponge or cloth and allow caulk to dry according to manufacturer’s instructions before using the shower again. Caulking tools are available in various forms to fit different angles and degrees that require caulking, using the appropriate tool will make the job easier.

Caulking a shower is more difficult that it looks for someone who has never caulked before. If you find yourself having difficulty applying a neat line of caulk or just don’t feel comfortable doing so, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing-Fort Worth’s experienced plumbers will be happy to reseal the shower for you.

When you need prompt and professional plumbers in Arlington, Texas, or Fort Worth and the surrounding regions, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will provide you with the expert services you need from the licensed plumbing professionals you can trust each and every time.