Forum Discussion

anni_g's avatar
anni_g
Explorer
Sep 28, 2016

caulk around tub surround

My Class C has a shower with a tub surround but the tub part is separate from the surround. It was caulked when I got it & I have been desperately trying to keep it caulked.
This last summer, I took it in for repairs (for other things) and asked the service guys if the tub actually needs to be caulked between the surround & the tub section. I was told no.
Is this common? Is there a way I can determine if they are right?
(I've had issues with this company & at this point I'm not sure if I can trust this recommendation.)
Thanks for any help!
Also, I've had to recaulk it almost every year (it keeps splitting). Is there some other product (I've been using DAP) that would do the trick & last longer?
Again, thanks for any suggestions!
Anni
Class C
  • ricklord2001's avatar
    ricklord2001
    Explorer
    Oct 20, 2016
    If you do decide to chalk it make sure you cut out the old chaulk and wait for it to dry. I worked in tile and Grout and it can take 5 days sometimes. After you remove the old wait overnight and feel along the seam and if it's damp wipe it up and wait another 8 hrs and on and on until the seam feels dry, then chaulk and you should have better luck either with chaulk or tape
  • cbigham's avatar
    cbigham
    Explorer III
    Oct 18, 2016
    Nice tip, I need to redo my starflyte bathroom. Butyl tape product will hold up well, I hope they have flat tape too.
  • kevden's avatar
    kevden
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2016
    I remember reading a post where somebody had found water damage in the floor under the tub and found it had been leaking at the lip. There must have been a crack that allowed water through. I have thought about using that caulk tape on mine just in case.
  • anni_g's avatar
    anni_g
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2016
    Thanks guys. I can always count on the forums for wonderful help.
    Keep up the helpful forums!
  • darsben1's avatar
    darsben1
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2016
    I used

    from either Lowe's or Home depot
    3 years now since I did it
  • mvpmich's avatar
    mvpmich
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2016
    Unless you fill the base with water to where it is above its rim, you should have no problem with the uncaulked lip. If you did you would have bigger problems with all the water on you floor!
  • dewey02's avatar
    dewey02
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2016
    There are folks here who say that you shouldn't caulk between the surround base and the tub because it seals any moisture in. Apparently there is a lip on the tub that goes up behind the shower surround, so no moisture actually gets to the wall.

    Some also say not to caulk around the top of the shower surround where it meets the wall, because it has to "breathe" back there. But I did caulk up there because I'm rather tall and water does splash on the wall and I didn't want it running down between the wall and the surround.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Sep 28, 2016
    If it's a typical plastic (or fiberglass or whatever) single-piece surround and separate plastic base tray, they generally have the surround part overlap a vertical flange on the base part. Caulking that seam is unnecessary and, as you've experienced, not likely to last well because of the relative motion of the two pieces as the RV is driven and flexes and shifts somewhat.

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