To caulk or not to caulk

SNOOPER

Just had a new Mirolin 3 pc shower stall put in.

According to manufacturers installation instructions all joints are to grouted on the back side of the unit.

Plumber that installed said it is not necessary as there is a lip around the joints to prevent water leaking out.

What about water vapour getting behind tub?

Any one with experience on this?

Thanks

Alan

We always caulk them on the inside. Actually silicone would look better, but much more difficult to clean-up so we have never used it.

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Journeyman Plumber

ARI001

Always follow the manufacture installation instructions. These trump everything else including building codes. Failure to do so will void any manufacture warranty.

Alan

Problem is that most people don't want to open up 3 walls to install their shower unit just so it can be caulked from the back.

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Journeyman Plumber

Austinmv

guy has some reason to his madness. here's the situation. there is a lip and it will turn water. however caulk is required for manufacturers warranty. when i install one i usually caulk just a tad around the top of the lip. reason is. i don't care what anyone says, when your caulk is visible, it may clean up nice and neat to start. but repeated soap scum ect. causes the caulk silicone whatever to discolor. then you catch yourself scrubbing it off to get rid of the ugly residue anyway. so in my experience with tub installations its good he didn't at least caulk it like some i've seen some where its visible. but he could have at least with a little steady hand, apply it in the back to make the manufacturer happy. =) but to answer your question. i don't think it's the end of the world that he didn't and your walls should be fine.