udelslayer
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- Jun 6, 2007
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How do you know if a shower stall needs caulking?
I can't find documentation and dont know where the model number is marked. All I can see is "Owens/Corning Fiberglas"
It looks like a pretty common unit with 3 walls and the pan. I think its over 20 years old, and I have been living in the house for about a year. Both the horizontal and vertical seams were caulked some time ago and are a little cracked and dry. There is an identical shower in another bathroom, but there is no caulk in these seams at all. In the calulked shower, I noticed that there is an increased amount of mildew along the horizontal seam and I've cleaned it a few times, but it returns fast. I then noticed one day that there was (dirty) water seeping along this seam close to the corners. Thinking there was a leak, I looked behind the wall at the plumbing and didnt see anything wet, but there has obviously been some amount of moisture there.
I am not experienced with shower panel installation, but I know the principles on how a tub is installed and have been doing some research. In that I found that multi-panel showers have weep holes or edges that allow backside condensation to collect and run into the pan. I went to a store and looked at how the bodies of showers like this are built and see that the pan usually has a lip and depth designed to collect moister so it doesnt run on the floor in the wall. I dont have a leak that I can see. Its on the 2nd floor and I have examined the floor from underneath and the drain and dont see anything that looks like a leak. I'm guessing the pan is doing its job.
Some of them call for caulk, some do not. Is there a rule? It would seem there is a bit of overlap where the panels fit together that would prevent water from getting behind it making caulking unnecessary and potentially cause it to retain water if sealed? Would anyone think that the failing caulk is now allowing it to work as its supposed to in the first place (and meaning I need to closely inspect the wall behind the long panel for damage and mold.
Thanks
J
I can't find documentation and dont know where the model number is marked. All I can see is "Owens/Corning Fiberglas"
It looks like a pretty common unit with 3 walls and the pan. I think its over 20 years old, and I have been living in the house for about a year. Both the horizontal and vertical seams were caulked some time ago and are a little cracked and dry. There is an identical shower in another bathroom, but there is no caulk in these seams at all. In the calulked shower, I noticed that there is an increased amount of mildew along the horizontal seam and I've cleaned it a few times, but it returns fast. I then noticed one day that there was (dirty) water seeping along this seam close to the corners. Thinking there was a leak, I looked behind the wall at the plumbing and didnt see anything wet, but there has obviously been some amount of moisture there.
I am not experienced with shower panel installation, but I know the principles on how a tub is installed and have been doing some research. In that I found that multi-panel showers have weep holes or edges that allow backside condensation to collect and run into the pan. I went to a store and looked at how the bodies of showers like this are built and see that the pan usually has a lip and depth designed to collect moister so it doesnt run on the floor in the wall. I dont have a leak that I can see. Its on the 2nd floor and I have examined the floor from underneath and the drain and dont see anything that looks like a leak. I'm guessing the pan is doing its job.
Some of them call for caulk, some do not. Is there a rule? It would seem there is a bit of overlap where the panels fit together that would prevent water from getting behind it making caulking unnecessary and potentially cause it to retain water if sealed? Would anyone think that the failing caulk is now allowing it to work as its supposed to in the first place (and meaning I need to closely inspect the wall behind the long panel for damage and mold.
Thanks
J
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