Should I caulk between tub and shower surround?

This is another blog post by Charles Buell, a Seattle, WA, Home Inspector. Let’s play “Myth Busters.” Everyone knows that it is important to keep the connections between tubs and its shower surround well caulked.

How do you fill a gap between shower enclosure and drywall?





Be sure to use mesh tape in damp environments like the bathroom. Filling the gap means cutting the sheetrock so that it runs up to the edge of the enclosure’s mounting flange, pre-filling the recess with hot mud (setting compound), then taping and finishing with standard drywall compound to cover the joint.

What to do if shower is leaking behind wall?

Clean the old and dry pipe joint compound from the shower elbow and reattach the shower arm. Replace the escutcheon, turn on the water, and if there are no leaks, cover the panel cutaway with a return grill. Use it for regular maintenance of the plumbing behind the wall.

Do tub surrounds leak?

Tubs can leak around the tub/shower control valve. Leaks are also common at the front of the tub where it meets the finished floor. In some instances, leaks can also develop around the lip of the tub where it meets the wall tile or tub surround. That was a quick rundown of potential tub leak locations.

How do you seal a shower surround?

The straightforward process follows these steps:

  1. Remove any old strips of caulk in the shower.
  2. Use painter’s tape create a guide for the new caulk line.
  3. Apply either silicone or latex caulk with a caulk gun, or squeeze the product straight from the tube.
  4. Wipe along the caulk line with a wet finger to remove any excess.

What can I use to seal around my bathtub?





For caulking around a bathtub, Tom recommends using anything that is 100% silicone. In the segment, he used 100% Silicone Sealant in White, which is manufactured by Gorilla Glue.

How do you fill the gap between tub and surround tub?

If you have tile on the wall adjoining the tub, select a caulk that matches the color of the grout. If your gap is smaller than 1/8 inch in width, use regular caulk; fill gaps larger than 1/8 inch with a sanded caulk. Make sure the gap is clean and dry, then squeeze a thin, even bead of caulk into the space.

Should I caulk between shower and drywall?

Shower stalls usually have a flange that gets nailed to the studs, and its outer edge gets covered when you install drywall. This leaves a gap between the edge of the drywall and the stall that you have to fill with silicone caulk, using a caulking gun.

How do you seal shower drywall?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So you're going to need the caulk. And then really all you need is just a stapler. And this stapler is just going to be you're just going to put staples along here into the drywall.

How do I fix a leaky tub surround?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But first you need a Philips head screwdriver needle nose pliers an Allen wrench cartridge fuller and silicone grease all things you can find at your local home improvement stores.

How long do tub surrounds last?

Expect a life span of 30-plus years. Some brands include a lifetime warranty. The composite units mount directly to studs with screws and clips; the solid-surface panels glue to either walls or studs.

What goes behind a tub surround?

Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints. Don’t use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures.

What is the best material to use behind shower walls?



We recommend acrylic as the best shower wall material. Acrylic is the best system to use for shower walls because it is the safest, least high maintenance, and easy to install, meaning your shower could be done in as little as one day.

Do you put sheetrock behind a tub surround?

The short answer to the question is, “It’s not recommended.” However, this answer only really only suffices if you’re converting a room that was never a bathroom into a wet space. Drywall on its own is not suitable for use in bathrooms because it is prone to absorbing moisture and thus losing structural integrity.

How do you replace a tub surround?

Install the large panel to the back wall of the tub first.

  1. Make a cardboard template. You’ll need a template of the plumbing-end wall to locate the showerhead, tub spout and faucet. …
  2. Apply Silicone Adhesive. …
  3. Press Panel to the Wall. …
  4. Drill Pilot Holes. …
  5. Test Fit the End Panel. …
  6. Apply Molding. …
  7. Install Corner Trim.


How hard is it to replace a tub surround?



It’s not uncommon to be faced with major wall repair long before the tub is ready for replacement. This can a pretty difficult job if you have ceramic tile walls, and installing a new system of tub surround panels is usually an easier solution.

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub and surround?

The average cost to replace a bathtub and surround is $1,500 to $11,000. Installation tends to run the least if you choose a combo with built-in shower and surround.

How long does it take to replace a tub surround?

For a typical tub with a tile tub surround to be removed and the walls of the surround replaced you are looking at at least 3 days for simple tile, although there are ways to shorten this. It will take about a half day to get rid of the old one.

How long should it take to tile a shower surround?

Expect to spend about 20 minutes per square yard to prepare and set the tile, and make sure you’re comfortable with using hand tools, a cordless drill, and trowels. Depending on the size of your shower and your expertise level, the project can be accomplished in a few days.

How long does it take to retile a tub surround?



As we’ve mentioned before, if you use ceramic tiles, it’ll take less time. For a beginner, the time might extend to 16 hours for retiling. And a professional would only need around 3-7 hours.