Hey everyone! I've got a situation in my bathroom where there's a crack between the bathroom floor tiles and the shower, and it's leaking down to the floor below. I've tracked the water and it seems to come from this crack, particularly after pouring water on it, despite it usually not leaking much. I made sure the crack is the issue by doing some tests, like running water into a bucket so that it wouldn't drain out. We even checked behind the drywall and there's no water damage, which is a relief. I usually handle small home tasks but I've never worked with waterproofing before. My handyman just retired, and I can't find anyone who wants to help because it seems too minor. So, I'm wondering if I can just buy some caulk and seal it myself? I haven't done any caulking before, and the videos I've watched look pretty advanced. What do you all think? Thanks for your advice!
1 Answer
You can definitely tackle this yourself! First, remove any old caulk or grout between the shower pan and tiles. Make sure to clean the area really well and let it dry completely. Then, use 100% silicone caulk to seal it up. Just a heads up though: if there are cracked or missing grout areas, you'll need to replace those too. Remember that neither grout nor tile is waterproof on their own, so any water that sits there can seep through. Also, try to use a grout sealer and reapply it every six months. And don't forget a bath mat outside the shower to catch excess water!
Thanks for the tips! But why do I need to remove the grout before caulking? Can't I just apply the silicone over the crack?