The bathroom can be quite a tricky place to work with if you don’t know the ins and outs of proper home maintenance. There are many dependencies that are including with bathroom care such as what type of counter you have, are the wooden materials strategically placed to avoid water leaks, and an accurate understanding of where the electrical lines are running. A very common problem people run into is a leaky shower head. There are many reasons why a shower would start leaking such as rough handling, deterioration of the caulk or even improper installation. Caulk is primarily made out of either latex or silicone - both of which give it water resistance properties.
Caulking your shower properly can help avoid many problematic situations. Water is deceptively amazing at getting into places you don’t want it to be. This is why it is extremely important to ensure your showering area is not leaky. Water can ruin your wood furniture, it can also cause erosion stains on ceramic and in the worst case scenario cause problems with electricity. That is why one must be aware of what the best caulk for shower areas is. Before we continue you should be aware that different types of caulk are used for specific types of shower layouts, styles and material. We’re going to help you in finding what caulk is best suited for your needs!
This goes without saying but first you should be aware of what your shower requires. Knowing that is half the battle and all that remains is finding caulk that is compatible to your shower. Let us now discuss some of the key things you should be looking for in a caulk’s specifications.
Compatibility and quick action!
It is very important to find a caulk that works with your surface. A great example of that would be the GE Silicone II Supreme M90007C. This product works well with ceramic, glass, metal, fiberglass, granite and many others. It is also a versatile product that works not only with showers but tubs, tiles and other common fixtures. The reason we suggest getting a highly compatible caulk product is because it can help you with other things around home improvement as well. Now when it comes to quick action we literally mean that you get to shower as quickly as possible
after applying the caulk. With the product mentioned above it would need 30 minutes for drying time before you can start using your shower regularly. There are other products that are instantly ready for showering purposes such as caulk tape which is very easy to apply and doesn’t require a caulk gun for application. Durability and space There’s no point of getting caulk that is quickly deteriorating as that pretty much defeats the purpose. Bathrooms usually have mold problems and getting a mold resistant caulk would definitely help in ensuring its prolonged life. The GE Silicone II comes with 10 years of mold protection and is also mildew resistant. This will not only help you in saving money but it also gives you peace of mind! There are two main times of caulk - sanded and un-sanded. Knowing when to use which type is very important. It all depends on the size of the joint; sand is added to caulk to add bulk to the mix which will help in filling up larger joints. Un-sanded caulk has less matter and is more often used to seal tighter joins. Latex or silicone? Latex and silicone caulks come with their own specific pros and cons. Knowing what each has to offer will definitely help you in making an informed decision. Latex caulk is generally much easier to apply in comparison to silicone caulk. This is because silicone caulk requires extensive surface preparation.
All latex caulk products are compatible with paint while some silicone products are not. Silicone caulk is generally more odorous than latex caulk and it also requires spirit based products to clean. Latex on the other hand can be washed up easily with some soapy water. Latex caulk weakness is
sunlight and that causes it to lose flexibility and an overall downgrade to its strength. Silicone caulk however is much more durable in direct sunlight and remains flexible under many circumstances. Silicone caulk however if gone bad is much harder to replace in comparison to latex caulk! One of the biggest differences however (which may help you make your decision now) is that silicone caulk works best on nonporous surfaces only, while latex caulk is compatible with porous and non-porous surfaces! Now there is no clear victor in this battle considering both the contenders fit different needs, however the latex caulk does seem to be more versatile in terms of offering solutions!
Conclusion
Knowing the proper differences between the different types of caulk that are available on the market will definitely help you in finding the right solution for your needs. Many may feel that choosing between caulk makes no difference and that they’re all the same - this is the type of approach that leads to leaks, mold build up and other problems. Staying informed is the best way to stay on top of your game!