Preventing Tub Leaks

 
It is not unusual for small cracks to develop in the grout/floor, wall, or wall/tub junctions or at the base and top of the Jacuzzi tubs in bathrooms, especially in areas with elastic soils. Cracks such as these are not unusual in older homes and are not usually structurally significant.  Bathtub seams (where the tile meets the tub) should always be filled in with silicone, not grout. The weight of water being filled in the bathtub pulls the tub downward from the walls, causing tub seams to expand and contract. Silicone will give with movement; grout will crack. The omission of silicone around the tub and floor seams in a bathtub/shower is one of the primary causes of water seeping through the ceiling below.
 

Some contractors omit the use of silicone due to lack of skill in applying it neatly, plus the additional cost and time factor. Remember, tubs need to contract and expand. If cracks have developed in the seams of your bathroom wall, tub or floor joints, you may wish to arrange to patch and seal them so as to prevent further separations and possible deterioration of underlying wood components or future moisture or pest problems. If you don't want to call a plumber, check out the Sound Home Resource Center for a good place to get some useful information.

 
 
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