Bathroom
Ideas

If the grout between the tiles in your shower, bathroom floor or vanity has started to crumble or you notice mildew growing between the tiles, it may be a good time to apply fresh caulk between the tile joints. A layer of caulk can protect the underlying structures from water damage and discourage the growth of mildew or mold between and under the tiles. When you're applying caulk in a bathroom, use a special silicone product designed to resist mildew and water. Caulk made with polyvinyl acetate, or PVA, a vinyl polymer, is also an effective bathroom remodeling caulk.

Mildew Protection

In the bathroom, preventing the effects of water accumulation is always a priority. Mold and mildew thrive in damp, warm environments like your shower, the corners of your bathroom floor and the areas around your sink. These organisms don't simply look and smell unpleasant; they also pose a health hazard. Mildew and mold can compromise the air quality in your home and cause respiratory infections.

When water seeps into the joints between your tiles and the spaces below the ceramic, mildew and mold have the perfect growth environment. If you see clusters of tiny black, yellow, brown or green growth between your tiles, it's possible that you have mold or mildew growing under the tile, as well. Special caulk for the bathroom includes a mildewcide: a compound that is toxic to these harmful organisms.

Discouraging the growth of mold and mildew makes your bathroom a cleaner, safer and more attractive environment. When you apply a caulk with mildew killer between bathroom tiles, you'll have long lasting protection against these pests. In conjunction with cleaning your bathroom with cleansers that discourage mildew formation, use caulk with a specially formulated mildew and mold deterrent to maintain a healthier bathroom.

Strength and Longevity

Silicone and PVA caulk are exceptionally strong, water resistant products. If a high quality silicone caulk is applied correctly, the caulk may last for up to 10 years in your bathroom. With silicone caulk, you won't need to make frequent applications of the product to achieve effective results. Silicone is a natural mildew deterrent, and some caulks contain additional mildewcide as a reinforcement.

Unless you have experience with caulking, applying silicone caulk can be a difficult process. Silicone can be hard to work with and difficult to remove once the caulk is in place. In the future, if you need to apply caulk again, the old silicone caulk will need to be completely scraped off before the new caulk can be applied. Before you start a caulking project with silicone, talk with a local contractor or another home improvement expert about how to apply silicone caulk correctly for the most long lasting, water resistant results.

PVA caulk is another durable product that can make your bathroom more water and mildew resistant. This vinyl polymer creates a water-tight seal around your tiles, tub, sink or other fixtures. PVA caulk may be easier to apply and to remove than silicone products, which makes it more appealing to some homeowners. Some popular PVA caulks also contain mildew killing substances to keep your bathroom safer and fresher. As an added bonus, some PVA products can double as tile adhesives if you find loose tiles that need to be reattached while you're caulking.

A special caulk for bathrooms offers long lasting protection against water and mildew damage. Mildew resistant caulks protect the structural integrity of your bathroom components from the destructive effects of water. A caulk that contains mildewcide gives your loved ones a healthy environment for washing, showering and personal hygiene.