A few years ago, a homeowner had the opportunity to remodel her basement after a sewage backup. The sewage problem was promptly handled and the entire basement had to be restored. She turned the disaster into an opportunity to renovate her space. While it wasn’t planned, with quick thinking and careful planning she was able to utilize existing pipes to add a much-needed shower to the basement bedroom.
For months the space was enjoyed and she received high praise from friends and family regarding the remodel. New floors were installed, walls were replaced, and new bedding and furniture were strategically placed to transform the old dark space into a refreshing retreat. The sewage coated walls and floors were ripped out and replaced with attractive replacements. However, a damp smell started penetrating the area that wasn’t a result of the aforementioned issue. Instead, it seems that a contractor neglected to caulk part of the shower. Now, she can add water damage and mold remediation to her list of problems.
So, hopefully, you don’t have this experience. On the other hand, use it as a reminder to check your own showers and bathtubs. Caulking, over time, can crack and crumble leaving small openings in your walls for water to leak. With bathrooms being high in humidity already, it’s only a matter of time before mold begins to grow.
Today, let’s look at the easy steps to caulk your shower. This is a simple act that will prevent bigger headaches down the road.
- Grab your tools. You’ll need caulk as well as a caulking gun and caulking tool. You’ll also want a fan, painters tape, denatured alcohol, a utility knife, work gloves and safety goggles.
- Cut way existing caulk since silicone will not adhere to itself. You need a clean work area. Use a rag and denatured alcohol along with your utility knife to remove any old caulk.
- Run the fan (or even a hair dryer along the seams) to make sure the entire area is dry for at least 24 hours.
- Use painters tape to tape along the joints. This will make cleanup much easier and your lines straight.
- Apply the caulk to the joints using a steady stream, one joint/seam at a time.
- Use the caulking tool to gently push the caulk into the joints and seams.
- Remove the painters tape and wait 24-48 hours for the caulk to set, refer to the manufacturer’s directions for timing. Clean off any excess caulk according to the manufacturer’s directions.
In the course of a weekend, you’ll have resealed your shower and prevented water damage from occurring. If you suspect you have water damage behind your shower, give our experts at Restore Pro a call. We’ll evaluate the situation and help repair and restore the issue. Early detection goes a long way in protecting your property.
Call us at 1-800-847-0114. If you’d like to learn more about our Water Damage Restoration team and services, please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RestorePro911.
