[tmay]

I just began re-caulking my bathroom. I haven't gotten very far...just now removing old caulk (silicone) with a razor blade. I don't know a whole lot about types of materials things are made of, but I will try my best to explain....

My best guess is the tub is coated steel (i can scrub the heck out of it and it doesnt ever scratch). Surrounding the tub is a plastic(?) liner that goes up to the shower head, which is boardered by painted wood framing. Here is my dilemma (or not?)...

As I was cutting the old caulking away from the joint (between the top of the tub and the plastic liner), I can see that it is really wet and moldy behind the liner. Is there an easy fix to this or have I just created 100x more work for myself?

Is it typical for it to be just the wall (drywall) behind this liner? I ask because I have always had tile. This liner seems to be a bit of a pain in the bum, and it doesn't help that the last caulking job was seemingly done by a child:no:

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Also, this is my first post beyond my intro, so if I am missing any info or need to add pics of this mess, let me know. Thanks!!

 

[12penny]

Well...maybe not 100x.:wink: For sure, if it were mine I'd remove the shower liner and further assess the damage. You certainly can't leave it that way.

 

[Bud Cline]

Is there an easy fix to this

No. Remove the plastic, clean substrate, if there is no real damage replace the plastic surround.

 

[Thurman]

I also agree with removing the "tub surround", the plastic pieces, and assess the damage to whatever is under this surround material. There has also been a very detailed, and very good, post on this site as to how to properly "re-caulk" a bath area, or an area high in moisture. Try a search to find it.

 

[user1007]

Whatever you do, do not use silicon to caulk again. You can use caulk with SOME silicon in it but silicone itself is not a good caulking material.
It is one of the things on my "work of the devil" list.

 

[tmay]

I also agree with removing the "tub surround", the plastic pieces, and assess the damage to whatever is under this surround material. There has also been a very detailed, and very good, post on this site as to how to properly "re-caulk" a bath area, or an area high in moisture. Try a search to find it.

Thurman- I have actually been following that exact post you are talking about, but ran into the mold problem. It is a great post...very informative

 

[tmay]

Thanks for all the quick responses! The tub surround is in five pieces. I easily lifted one of the pieces away from the wall and it's....disgusting. I'm contemplating taking it down and tiling the area. We don't own this place so I will need to contact the owner. Thanks again

 

[Bud Cline]

i'm contemplating taking it down and tiling the area. We don't own this place so i will need to contact the owner.

hold on !!!

 

[chrisn]

Whatever you do, do not use silicon to caulk again. You can use caulk with SOME silicon in it but silicone itself is not a good caulking material.
It is one of the things on my "work of the devil" list.

YES, it is:yes: