"ValveJob" wrote in message
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On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:53:20 -0700, wrote:

A while back I recaulked my bathtub. After clearing away the old
caulk, cleaning all of the surfaces and applying the new caulk, I
allowed the caulk to dry for about two days before using the tub
again. I thought this would be plenty of time, but the very first time
I took a shower the caulk just got soft, pulled away from the wall and
I had a botched caulk job on my hands.

Thinking I hadn't allowed the caulk long enough to dry, I did the job
a second time and this time gave it a whopping five days in which to
dry. During this time I used a shower stall on the first floor and did
not use the tub I recaulked at all. However, to my amazement and
disappointment, the next time I showered the caulk once again got all
soft and useless.

Has anyone else had this happen? Am I making some sort of stupid
mistake and just not seeing it?

The caulk you used had expired.

The solution is simple. Get a new tube of caulk. Try a different
brand.

Fresh caulk helps. The pulling away from the wall is a big clue, too. Tile
is not degreased enough, and possibly the tub is flexing. Is it cast iron,
or steel or plastic? Iron usually won't sag, but on a more flexible tub it
sometimes helps to fill the tub with water before you caulk, to put the tub
in weight-bearing mode.

aem sends...