Then once it gets wet for a while the caulk basically turns to gooo and can be wiped away.
Grout or caulk between wall tile and tub.
Caulk should be used between the tile planes where there is flex and movement between the tile planes.
Grout not caulk where tile meets tub.
His explanation makes sense.
Where grout is just good for bonding together tile caulk is good for creating a seal between multiple materials say between glass tiles and a porcelain tub.
Or where the edge of a tile meets the wall.
Caulk seals seams between tile and fixtures or walls.
And then there s this from a home inspector.
Caulk is impermeable meaning it won t let in water.
Caulk provides a waterproof seal where tile abuts other materials such as bathtubs sinks or walls.
A carefully run line of caulk known as a.
Caulk traps moisture that s behind it by not allowing it to evaporate.
Let the area dry the area for the minimum of what the moldicide recommends which is usually at least 24 hours before applying new caulk.
As a home settles however grout can crack.
If this happens in your home remove the grout and replace it with caulk.
That moisture is coming from behind the tiled wall.
Caulking is much more water tight and will not allow water to get between the tile planes and leak behind the shower.
Hence the puzzlement of why one can t clean caulk that appears to be sound.
Caulk is a sealant typically made of silicone or acrylic material.