Make Sealing Your Kitchen and Bath Less of a Hassle | Hopefully you don't notice it, but it can be found in everyone's kitchen and bathroom. Problems and headaches for homeowners arise when it does become noticeable. Unsightly or missing caulk around the bathroom shower, tub, kitchen sink or countertop not only looks bad, but the real problems arise after years of water damage and neglect.
For homeowners with an active family and busy household, there isn't really a "good" time to think about resealing tubs, showers, sinks and countertops. Traditional sealants require at least 24 hours to dry before water exposure, leaving bathrooms and kitchens unusable for at least that long and creating problems for the 53 percent of American homes with one or one and a half bathrooms.
Because most homeowners do not have the luxury of waiting 24 hours before using their tubs, showers, sinks and counters, they simply overlook this simple and inexpensive home maintenance project. Unfortunately, this can turn a small maintenance task into a major repair project.
The good news is, new technology such as Polyseamseal EST Speed Seal can cut the drying time significantly. The new fast-dry silicone system creates a durable, flexible and watertight seal that will withstand water contact only two hours after application, allowing you to shower in two hours, which is 12 times faster than traditional sealants.
The primary reason to recaulk is to create a watertight seal. Caulk is the sealant between a fixture and the wall that keeps water from penetrating behind the fixture and, in time, causing water damage or mold. Because bathroom and kitchen fixtures are used daily, the caulking between the fixture and the wall or countertop can crack or pull loose from constant water contact.
Caulking in the bathroom or kitchen is not only a necessary periodic home maintenance task, but it also needs to be done properly to prevent leakage or mold. When there is room for the water to seep into the opening, it damages the joint and the surrounding wall or underlayment. You may have seen stains on the ceiling under an upstairs bathroom - bad caulking, which allowed for water leakage behind the fixture, is one of the major causes of this issue.
Visually inspect, at least twice a month, the edge around the tub, shower door frame, shower handles/spigots, stall base, floor joint, toilet and sink - water most often enters through these vulnerable locations. If any of the caulking around these areas is cracked, shrunken, missing or moldy, it's time to recaulk. Additionally, any holes or openings in shower walls should be attended to with caulk immediately.
Another reason to recaulk is to give an old tub, shower, sink or other fixture a fresh look. This is an inexpensive project that can give your bathroom or kitchen a major facelift. Old or severely discolored caulking should be completely removed and the area properly cleaned and dried before new caulk is applied. By caulking over soap scum, mold or mildew, discolorations can bleed through the caulk and, in time, the caulk will peel away from the surface.
Knowing how, when and why to recaulk can help busy homeowners quickly and easily update the seal around bathroom and kitchen fixtures. The key is to keep a well-maintained, clean and tight seal around water-prone areas to prevent big repair bills down the road.
For more information on caulking the kitchen and bathroom, or for product information, visit www.polyseamseal.com
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