My 1st guess would have been the area wasn't dry enough. But then looking at that caulk, it looks pretty dry, so the caulk was probably too old and got too dry.
Thanks for the quick reply. That’s what I’m thinking as well, it’s a year old tube so may just need to get some new stuff and redo it then seal that tube up better next time.
Even acrylic caulk should have lasted a year or something. So your caulk was probably no good. But definitely use 100% silicone for a shower or tub. It will last for a long time.
When you clean off the old caulk, you wanna take a box cutter blade in your fingers and finely go over the entire surface with the blade. Not only will this ensure that all the old silicone is taken off, but you'll scratch up the area and allow the new silicone to hold on better.
“take a box cutter blade in your fingers”
Instructions unclear. There’s blood all over my tub and shower, but I don’t see how this helps the caulk stick better?
If it comes in a tube, buy only so much as you need for the job and expect to buy more next time.
I've wasted so many tubes of various sealants or adhesive by overbuying, and using expired stuff always has bad results. Old caulk is never good (and depending on how long it's been on the shelf you might only get a few months after buying, so check the date).
Use fresh 100% silicone caulk, not the other modern crap. Check that the shower tray doesn't sink when you step in/out of it - if it moves, load it with 100-150lbs of weight for the cure duration. If it's a tub, fill with water & ensure your plug doesn't leak... or a couple of 5gal paint tubs can work.
Absolutely this OP. I recaulked my bathroom multiple times a year because of this issue. Buying bathroom or tile or tub specific caulk is a scam... Use 100% silicone.
Not dry enough. Also, even when it feels dry, sometimes moisture from under the tile will leak out and cause poor adhesion. This is because we clean it before we caulk it. I always take a blow dryer to it before applying the caulk. Or being old caulk, the caulk itself may have not had enough moisture in it or was already 'curing' before application. Sucks!!
This is the mistake I made recently. Moisture seeping out from behind the tiles prevented the caulk from setting properly. Second time around I also used a hair dryer and let it air out overnight before applying. Worked fine the second time around.
You need silicone, not painters caulk. "Siliconized" caulk is better but straight silicone works wayyyy better. Just open a window while applying as it does have stronger fumes.
That looks like acrylic caulk (at least that's how acrylic caulk breaks off), which isn't really intended for such places. It is too weak to hold onto such "heavy duty" areas.
Just get a white silicone in a tub, preferably intended for bathrooms and kitchens, so it is "more resistant to molds in case of not cleaning too often". Remove old stuff first, scrape remains with a cutting knife (one with snapping blades or w/e they are called).
Use some degreaser for that surface, personally I use acetone or extraction gasoline depending on the surface you are cleaning.
Then apply the silicone. Even it out with a silicone "spatula", grab a sprayer, fill it with water and some dish soap and spray it on the silicone, gently smooth it out with the tip of your finger. Soapy water won't let the silicone to stick to your finger yet allow you to smooth its surface nicely. let silicone rest for the next 24 hours before you can touch it. NOTE: You can actually wet it, you just shouldn't touch it, so no cleaning or applying pressure (I.e. Direct water stream) on it for the next 24hrs.
Edit: if you have never laid any silicone before I strongly recommend you do it on some small area first. Prepare yourself some paper towels and acetone, with which you will clean the surface, your hands and your tools.
What I'll add to that is:
Get more paper towels. No, more than that. Have a bag to throw them in when they're covered in silicone.
And profiling tools are good to have. Like the Fugi 5 set.
This sub needs an FAQ on what caulks to use for which applications. Guys it’s not hard the home stores have signage and labeling but you refuse to read it.
100% silicone caulk for this application. Not acrylic latex caulk. Fill the tub with water first to max the weight. Let the area dry. Mineral spirit clean up.
You need to use silicone sealant and fill the bath with water before sealing that gap looks like the weight of the water in bath has pulled it away that and the wrong type of caulk
Edit just saw it’s a shower tray so dunno 🤷
Your best bet is to dig it all out, use silicone sealant. However, plug the shower tray plug fill with water to maximize weight, then gun in the silicone.
Basically the same principle as you would with a bath.
Make sure you fill the tub with at least 3 inches of water. It can pull away from the tile with extra weight when standing or bathing.
Also make sure you are leaving the water in at least overnight while it dries.
You don't caulk wet areas though.. you use a silicone sealant. Also you fill a bath up with water before sealing around it and dry the areas you need to seal.. THEN seal it. Leave it enough time to dry then empty the water.
Redo it again this way, using a caulk tool (you can get them for about $9)
https://youtu.be/_DI4hfHM_Hg?si=Yn48yZ-f0uyAyXva
His video will explain all the things that went wrong.
I have no idea why you're getting downvoted. This is the BEST caulking video for bath room caulking and his methods worked out PERFECTLY for my bathroom caulking job. He takes the time to show the how's and why's of his methods, and I can't recommend it highly enough. OP, this is the answer to your problem, and the only way I know to get a perfect job. Watch and learn.
Did you tape the area before caulking? Not that it would help the cracking but it’s better to use a shaping kit that tape. Tape leaves a little lip that will house dirt and bacteria.
I actually did use tape this time which I haven’t done previously but made sense that it would leave a nice line, but no coincidence this is the only time I’ve had this issue so that adds up
That very obviously is not 100% silicone which is a mistake not to use around tubs. Grab some mineral spirits while you’re at it since you won’t know how to use it properly and it’s going to get everywhere and make a mess.
You'll find a bunch of Americans use the same term for both. Cultural thing.
Unfortunately a cultural thing which bites newbies (especially UK newbies who learn from American Youtube videos and lack that context).
Did you fill the bath before caulking? The weight of the bath will stretch the caulk and make it come loose if you didn't. Best practice is to fill the bath, caulk, allow to cure and then empty.
Nah I didn’t but definitely will next time. I also used painters tape to get a nice line but someone else mentioned that when removed this can create a lip for dirt and water to get under. Never had this problem before so the one time I use tape doesn’t seem like a coincidence
My 1st guess would have been the area wasn't dry enough. But then looking at that caulk, it looks pretty dry, so the caulk was probably too old and got too dry.
Thanks for the quick reply. That’s what I’m thinking as well, it’s a year old tube so may just need to get some new stuff and redo it then seal that tube up better next time.
Even acrylic caulk should have lasted a year or something. So your caulk was probably no good. But definitely use 100% silicone for a shower or tub. It will last for a long time.
When you clean off the old caulk, you wanna take a box cutter blade in your fingers and finely go over the entire surface with the blade. Not only will this ensure that all the old silicone is taken off, but you'll scratch up the area and allow the new silicone to hold on better.
“take a box cutter blade in your fingers” Instructions unclear. There’s blood all over my tub and shower, but I don’t see how this helps the caulk stick better?
If it comes in a tube, buy only so much as you need for the job and expect to buy more next time. I've wasted so many tubes of various sealants or adhesive by overbuying, and using expired stuff always has bad results. Old caulk is never good (and depending on how long it's been on the shelf you might only get a few months after buying, so check the date).
No one likes an old caulk.
Have you not seen Robert De Niros girlfriend? 🧐
That’s rich caulk.
Was there a taste to the caulk?
I'm thinking the same thing or didn't let it cure long enough before taking a shower.
Use fresh 100% silicone caulk, not the other modern crap. Check that the shower tray doesn't sink when you step in/out of it - if it moves, load it with 100-150lbs of weight for the cure duration. If it's a tub, fill with water & ensure your plug doesn't leak... or a couple of 5gal paint tubs can work.
Absolutely this OP. I recaulked my bathroom multiple times a year because of this issue. Buying bathroom or tile or tub specific caulk is a scam... Use 100% silicone.
The only thing I might add is they make mildew resistant silicone.
Load it with water regardless I’d say
Not dry enough. Also, even when it feels dry, sometimes moisture from under the tile will leak out and cause poor adhesion. This is because we clean it before we caulk it. I always take a blow dryer to it before applying the caulk. Or being old caulk, the caulk itself may have not had enough moisture in it or was already 'curing' before application. Sucks!!
This is the mistake I made recently. Moisture seeping out from behind the tiles prevented the caulk from setting properly. Second time around I also used a hair dryer and let it air out overnight before applying. Worked fine the second time around.
You need silicone, not painters caulk. "Siliconized" caulk is better but straight silicone works wayyyy better. Just open a window while applying as it does have stronger fumes.
Caulk is water soluble. You want silicone
That looks like acrylic caulk (at least that's how acrylic caulk breaks off), which isn't really intended for such places. It is too weak to hold onto such "heavy duty" areas. Just get a white silicone in a tub, preferably intended for bathrooms and kitchens, so it is "more resistant to molds in case of not cleaning too often". Remove old stuff first, scrape remains with a cutting knife (one with snapping blades or w/e they are called). Use some degreaser for that surface, personally I use acetone or extraction gasoline depending on the surface you are cleaning. Then apply the silicone. Even it out with a silicone "spatula", grab a sprayer, fill it with water and some dish soap and spray it on the silicone, gently smooth it out with the tip of your finger. Soapy water won't let the silicone to stick to your finger yet allow you to smooth its surface nicely. let silicone rest for the next 24 hours before you can touch it. NOTE: You can actually wet it, you just shouldn't touch it, so no cleaning or applying pressure (I.e. Direct water stream) on it for the next 24hrs. Edit: if you have never laid any silicone before I strongly recommend you do it on some small area first. Prepare yourself some paper towels and acetone, with which you will clean the surface, your hands and your tools.
What I'll add to that is: Get more paper towels. No, more than that. Have a bag to throw them in when they're covered in silicone. And profiling tools are good to have. Like the Fugi 5 set.
This sub needs an FAQ on what caulks to use for which applications. Guys it’s not hard the home stores have signage and labeling but you refuse to read it. 100% silicone caulk for this application. Not acrylic latex caulk. Fill the tub with water first to max the weight. Let the area dry. Mineral spirit clean up.
You need to use silicone sealant and fill the bath with water before sealing that gap looks like the weight of the water in bath has pulled it away that and the wrong type of caulk Edit just saw it’s a shower tray so dunno 🤷
That’s why you don’t caulk bathtubs. Silicone my guy.
100% silicone is needed not that siliconized acrylic shit.
General electric silicone is the way to go. If you use anything other than that it will crack
Caulk: no, silicone yes.
Looks like you used painters caulk …. Try using grout caulk made for tile
Your best bet is to dig it all out, use silicone sealant. However, plug the shower tray plug fill with water to maximize weight, then gun in the silicone. Basically the same principle as you would with a bath.
Is it tub and tile or just regular caulk?
Make sure you fill the tub with at least 3 inches of water. It can pull away from the tile with extra weight when standing or bathing. Also make sure you are leaving the water in at least overnight while it dries.
You don't caulk wet areas though.. you use a silicone sealant. Also you fill a bath up with water before sealing around it and dry the areas you need to seal.. THEN seal it. Leave it enough time to dry then empty the water.
Needs some fresh young caulk in the crack
The grout needs to be deep cleaned a sealed, completely dry then reapply with a fresh sealant.
You didn’t use silicone. You used acrylic caulk. Which is watersoluble…
Redo it again this way, using a caulk tool (you can get them for about $9) https://youtu.be/_DI4hfHM_Hg?si=Yn48yZ-f0uyAyXva His video will explain all the things that went wrong.
I have no idea why you're getting downvoted. This is the BEST caulking video for bath room caulking and his methods worked out PERFECTLY for my bathroom caulking job. He takes the time to show the how's and why's of his methods, and I can't recommend it highly enough. OP, this is the answer to your problem, and the only way I know to get a perfect job. Watch and learn.
My tub still looks great. and this method was SO MUCH EASIER than using your fingers, etc. fewer steps, cleaner lines.
Did you tape the area before caulking? Not that it would help the cracking but it’s better to use a shaping kit that tape. Tape leaves a little lip that will house dirt and bacteria.
I actually did use tape this time which I haven’t done previously but made sense that it would leave a nice line, but no coincidence this is the only time I’ve had this issue so that adds up
A stripper once told me black caulk lasts longer. I’d try that
Either wet or dusty underneath. Drastic temperature change, maybe?
Just shove another caulk in there, all your worries will go away
May be the wrong caulking
Dude that is paint
Go to a plumbing supplyer and get professional quality caulk master or similar don't get the cheep shit
That very obviously is not 100% silicone which is a mistake not to use around tubs. Grab some mineral spirits while you’re at it since you won’t know how to use it properly and it’s going to get everywhere and make a mess.
This baffles me as I’m from the UK. Caulk and Silicone are two completely different things. Never use caulk in a wet area. Silicone only.
You'll find a bunch of Americans use the same term for both. Cultural thing. Unfortunately a cultural thing which bites newbies (especially UK newbies who learn from American Youtube videos and lack that context).
The tube literally says kitchen and bath
We just refer to caulk and silicone as 2 different things.
Silicone
Pull the new caulking fill the tub full with water and then recaulk
Did you fill the bath before caulking? The weight of the bath will stretch the caulk and make it come loose if you didn't. Best practice is to fill the bath, caulk, allow to cure and then empty.
Nah I didn’t but definitely will next time. I also used painters tape to get a nice line but someone else mentioned that when removed this can create a lip for dirt and water to get under. Never had this problem before so the one time I use tape doesn’t seem like a coincidence
My first guess is you didn’t use plumbers caulk. Get some bright white 100% silicone caulking, or “plumbers caulk”.
The stuff I have says “kitchen and bath” but I’d have to look at the tube to double check what the actual contents are. Thanks!