Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Bath tub caulking won't dry... HELP!

We have caulked our tub 4 times with silicone caulk and it won't dry... it always stays soft. This last time we even stopped using our shower for over 3 months trying to let it dry out as much as possible in case it was a moisture problem. We caulked it again... and it still didn't work! Any ideas?!? If it is still wet behind and under the tub, how do we get it to dry? Or will we have to rip our whole bathroom apart? Please help as we don't want to reno our bathroom!

Welcome to the forums!

Most silicone caulks don't dry to a hard film - they stay flexable so they can do their job.

Are you letting the tile/tub gap dry completely before applying the caulking?

If it is wet after three months behind or around your tub then you have a serious leakage problem.I am assuming what you meant was you let the shower area dry out three months before applying the silicone?Try to figure out if wetness is the issue because if that area has held wetness for a long period then the sheetrock around the tub is saturated and would need replacement.

Otherwise I'd have to suspect a contamination of the surface and would suggest serious cleaning efforts and being very careful not to leave residue from that process.

Thanks so much for your responses :)

Yes I did mean that we didn't use the shower and used our other shower for 3 months hoping that if it had excess moisture that it would dry in that amount of time.

He has been taking off the old caulk and washing the area. I just asked him and apparently he has not been applying alcohol like I thought he had been. That is a crutical step is it not? That would kill any contamination and residue, correct?

The last few times he has been filling the tub half full with waater as we read to do that on the internet somewhere. After 24 hours he drains the water out.

This time he caulked it over a week ago and it's still not cured.

Since our shower is tile we can't see if there is excess moisture, how can I figure out if it's a moisture problem or contamination?

Thanks so much for the responses!!! We are lost at this point! I really want my bathroom back!

Can you further explain "This time he caulked it over a week ago and it's still not cured" ?

After the joint to be caulked has been cleaned - it needs to be allowed to dry [alchol helps] If you leave the joint uncaulked and it stays dry - it should be fine to caulk.

Sorry marksr, he actually did the tub last week and caulked it. We haven't used it since as we have been waiting for it to dry to the rubbery substance it's supposed to be. It's still wet feeling and easily moves around when touched. My Dad had used the term "cured".

This time I am going to do it on my own... see if I can do a better job than him.
Please confirm I am taking on this project correctly:
1. Remove all old caulk
2. Clean area with bathroom mildew cleaner
3. Rub Rubbing alcohol over the area
4. 24 hours later fill the tub half full of water
5. Apply caulk and let set for 48 hours before use
Thanks! Maybe it just takes a woman's touch this time ;)

Sorry marksr, he actually did the tub last week and caulked it. We haven't used it since as we have been waiting for it to dry to the rubbery substance it's supposed to be. It's still wet feeling and easily moves around when touched. My Dad had used the term "cured".

;)

Maybe you could share the Brand and name of the caulk you are using. Also look on the back side of the tube for an expiration date. If its old caulk it may never set up. (Don't ask me how I know that)

OMG! My boyfriend just bought 2, one being expired last November (which of course is the one he used) and this one is not until 2010.

He bought GE Silicone II 100% Silicone Kitchen and Bath.

As this last time was the fourth time he has done it, I can't imagine they were all expired... but they could have been :)

We will re-do it next weekend with the one that isn't expired and let you know if that was the problem!

Thanks so much for everyones help!!!

I don't recall ever using any silicone that didn't set up - I take it that it is almost as plyable as when it came out of the tube.

It is possible you got a bad batch of caulking :wall:
You might call their toll free number and complain - maybe they will replace the caulking for free :thumbup:

Yes it is... my Dad said it was impossible, that it always set. So of course I told him he was more than welcome to do it himself :)

I believe we have used a different kind of caulk everytime. Apparently the bf threw out the receipt for the caulk he just bought so we can't return the one... oh well, I just want my bathroom back at this point!

Yes it is... my Dad said it was impossible, that it always set. So of course I told him he was more than welcome to do it himself :)

I believe we have used a different kind of caulk everytime. Apparently the bf threw out the receipt for the caulk he just bought so we can't return the one... oh well, I just want my bathroom back at this point!

ASk your Dad why then does the Mfr put a "Use By" date on the tube. I recently dug out an old unopened tube of Silicone II from my shop cause I didn't want to go to the store. I used it and it never set up, 2 days later I had to wipe the goo off and use some new caulk.

Best to stick with one type of caulk. I like Geocel Proflex, but its hard to find and sticks to EVERYTHING, but it lasts a long time and you can't beat it for keeping water where it belongs.

Lack of a receipt should not deter you from taking some defective product back to any reputable store.

Sorry, I should have been more specific, my Dad wasn't talking about exp dates as it never came up in the conversation.

Thanks for the caulk suggestion, that will def be our next buy, hopefully we can find it being in Canada, seems we only have half the products the States does :mad:

Thanks so much for everyones help, I will let you know if it FINALLY works!!Beer 4U2

OK Monique, it is time for my two cents worth.

I would remove all the silicone caulking and replace it with a water based kitchen and bath caulking like polyseamseal brand or equivalent.

Hi plumingods, What is the difference between the silicone and the water based kitchen and bath caulking?!?
Thanks! Monique

I would remove all the silicone caulking and replace it with a water based kitchen and bath caulking like polyseamseal brand or equivalent.

Not to argue with you PG. But my experience with latex or water based caulks in wet areas is if ANY moisture remains it will not set up for a long time and remain gooey or even run. As a result I have gravitated to the marine or industrial caulks any time I want it to last, seal and not mildew. Caulks like Geocel. So with all due respect I gotta ask why do you prefer the water based caulks in a shower?
DH

OK, here is my opinion on this matter and is based on personal experiences.

First off DW, in my past experience, I have found that anything with the name marine, as in boating, costs about 4 times the normal. I used to own a wooden hull boat.

I am not saying the caulking you are talking about are not better than the water based or silicone caulking, but I have never used your brand for a proper comparison.

Monique, I have found that the water based caulks are much easier to work with and dry quite easily when left alone to dry. Make sure the area to be caulked is clean and free of all old caulking.
After applying the caulking, use a moist finger or rag to clean up your caulked area as clean as you like without leaving all that extra caulking usually left behind by silicone caulking. That left over is what usually is what attracts the mold and mildew along the seams of the walls.
Try not to over wet the caulking, but if you do you can add a little to it after it has dried to dress it up a little.

In most instances I have encountered, the water based caulk will start to skin over in about 1/2 hour and will be thoroughly dried within 24 hours. I have used it for many years without failure. I also use it as a adhesive and sealant, to hold down my drop-in style lavs.

I would add that there a lot of good latex caulking out there [not the cheap ones] and a quality latex caulk can do a decent job. The ease of use and clean up is nice. That said, a silicone caulk like G.E. silicone will adhere better to slick surfaces. A damp thinner rag can be used to help keep unwanted surfaces clean - fingers too :D

Thanks everyone! If it doesn't work this time, I'm calling a professional! :o

How have you made out with this situation? The same thing has happened to me recently. I was just wonder what you have done about this problem because I NEED HELP TOO! :madhell:

Sorry I haven't yet... my boyfriend has been on graveyards, but he's finally done! My Dad also looked at it while he was here and suggested plain silicone, not specific to tubs and sinks. I am hoping he will try again in the next week so I will DEFINATELY let you know!!! Maybe the 5th time will work ;)

I was just going to leave a general comment, but Dhamblet beat me to it. The reason I found this message board is because I spent a while today cleaning off GE Silicone Caulk II (window and door) that wouldn't cure. Even now, it's still a complete mess. I noticed a few minutes ago that the 'use by' date is 11/08. So I did some quick research and found that this is why it didn't cure (I think it has to do with the shelf life of the curing agent they use in the caulk.) Now I just have to figure out how to clean all the goo off my walls :wall:.

Welcome to the forums Jimboalogo!

"Now I just have to figure out how to clean all the goo off my walls"

Paint thinner and elbow grease...... lots of elbow grease :eek::wall:

I found this thread when I Googled "bath silicon caulk won't cure". I'm having the same problem as Monique. I have used two leading brands of "premium" bathroom silicon caulk, one of them being the GE Premium Silicone II Waterproof Caulk. The first brand comes out of the tube white, but dries clear. We dried out the tub for a couple of days before applying the caulk. I left it to dry for two days and it completely turned clear. The first time we used the tub (it's a jetted bathroom tub), the caulk turned back to white and began to release the bond. So, I cleaned off some of that and tried the GE silicone. It took over 24 hours to cure, and seems now to be firming up, but the bond is very poor. The expiry is 1/09 so I now have a new tube where the expiry is 3/10 and I'll try again. This is weird! Any comments? Many thanks, all. Eric B. :wall:

Welcome to the forums Eric!

The 1st caulk you used was latex. Clear latex comes out of the tube milky looking but turns to clear when it dries. It will go back to cloudy if it gets wet but will return to clear if it dries. Not the best choice for caulking areas that get wet.

G.E. silicone is some good caulk. The surface should be clean and dry before it's applied!

Thanks Marksr. Already I'm learning. I'll give the GE silicone a try and see how it works. I noted somewhere that I probably should clean the surfaces with a scrubber and mineral spirits after I remove the latex to prepare for the silicone. I'm gonna try to do this right, but I'm sure not gonna quit my day job!
:AIO:

Alcohol would be better - mineral spirits might leave a little bit of residue.

I quit my day job, the pay isn't as good but the hours are better..... I'm retired:D

Welcome to the forums Eric!

The 1st caulk you used was latex. Clear latex comes out of the tube milky looking but turns to clear when it dries. It will go back to cloudy if it gets wet but will return to clear if it dries. Not the best choice for caulking areas that get wet.

G.E. silicone is some good caulk. The surface should be clean and dry before it's applied!

personally i dont like GE caulk. it doesnt go on as well or adhere very good in my experience. i prefer the DAP brand of tub n tile caulking. only time i have had a problem with it curing is when the area kept getting or stayed wet.

if it doesnt feel tacky then 100% silicone is pretty much cured. it seems to always feel like its wet

I took everyone's advice and got a tube of GE Silicone II with an expiration date as far off as I could find; cleaned off the old grout, scrubbed as hard as I could with alcohol and then applied the new caulk. It dried within 2 hours. Looking OK so far. I guess the only possibile problem left is that it may not adhere well over the long term. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but also remembering that several of you guys recommended DAP. Many thanks! Eric B.
:beers: