Best Shower Caulk to Prevent Mildew
As one of the most humid parts of the house, mildew growth in your shower is inevitable. And knowing how harmful these fungi are and the kind of havoc it can wreak on your immune system, preventing their growth, is paramount. One of the main ways you can do this is by ensuring your shower is vented adequately to allows the escape of moisture. This can be done by installing a dehumidifier.
In addition to venting, you should also ensure that your shower is not the perfect mildew breeding ground using material that can resist or reduce the chances of mildew growing in your shower. Chief among them being caulk. By sealing all the spaces between the tiles or spaces, moisture does not get trapped, which is the leading cause of mildew growth.
Here is the best shower caulks to prevent mildew.
Top 5 Best Shower Caulks to Prevent Mildew
| Name | Color | Drying Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Sealants & Adhesives GE281 Advanced Silicone | Clear | 30 Minutes | |
| Gorilla White 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk | Translucent White | 30 Minutes | |
| Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk | White | 30-60 Minutes | |
| Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear Kitchen & Bath S Caulk | Clear | 3 hours | |
| Sealant Pen White - Silicone Caulk Whitener | White | Under 30 Minutes |
GE Sealants & Adhesives GE281 Advanced Silicone
GE sealant has a reputation for preventing mold in shower caulk. It is made from 100% silicone that offers ultimate protection from water damage. It is waterproof and can withstand consistent water exposure. The sealant has 10-year mold-free product protection.
It is 40% more flexible and has 5x stronger adhesion than other caulks. It has a 30-minute water-ready drying time and is shrink resistant and crack-proof.
It can withstand extreme expansion and contraction associated with temperature fluctuations.
It also has low odor, and it does not tarnish metal finished, unlike other caulks. Lastly, it has a lifetime guarantee.
Features
- 100% silicone formula
- 30-minute drying time
- Crack-proof
- Low odor
- Lifetime guarantee
- Non-paintable
- 10-year mold-free product protection
Pros
- Waterproof
- 5x stronger adhesion
- Stays permanently flexible
- Durable seal
- Shrink resistant
Cons
- It becomes clumpy when exposed to the air you need to work fast
Gorilla White 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk
The Gorilla whitening shower caulk is a versatile sealant that is 100% silicone. It dries in a translucent white finish. It is excellent for sealing gaps or cracks. It can be used on windows, doors, kitchen worktops, sinks, showers, bathtubs, gutters, auto, marine, and more.
It is waterproof, which makes it perfect for indoor and outdoor use. The silicone used does not yellow, shrink, or crack. It is also mildew resistant. Lastly, it only takes thirty minutes to dry.
Features
- 100% silicone
- Waterproof
- Anti-yellowing
- Mold and mildew resistant
Pros
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Shrink and crack resistant
- Can adhere to most surfaces
Cons
- It has a lasting odor
Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk
This mildew-resistant caulk comes in a 5.5-Ounce tube, and it has a white finish. It is designed to fight unsightly mold and mildew growth on the cured caulk. It has a strong adhesive that makes it ideal for installing backsplashes and repairing loose tiles.
It provides excellent adhesion to ceramic, porcelain, glass, fiberglass composites, enamel, aluminum, stainless steel, wood, many plastics, and wallboard. It is flexible, which prevents it from cracking and longer-lasting. It also has a low odor and is non-flammable.
Features
- White finish
- Flexible
- Non-flammable
Pros
- Excellent adhesion
- Durable
- Low odor
Cons
- It shrinks over time
Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear Kitchen & Bath S Caulk
This is the perfect caulk for fiberglass showers. It has a 3-hour drying period, and it promises to deliver 5-year of mold-free protection. It can be used to caulk showers, tubs, sinks, tile, countertops, and other fixtures.
The caulk can also adhere to most ceramic tile, porcelain, glass, metal, plastic, granite, and wood surfaces. To ensure its safety, it has been manufactured to the highest standards possible. It meets Federal Specifications: TT-S-001543A (COM-NBS), TT-S-00230 (COM-NBS), ASTM-C-920 type S, NS, class 25 use NT, and G A&O test requirements.
Features
- 3-hour drying time
- 5-year product protection
- Easy to use
- Multipurpose uses
- Adheres to ceramic, laminate, wood, plastic, metal and many other surfaces
- Meets Federal Specifications
Sealant Pen White – Silicone Caulk Whitener
This sealant pen also doubles as a stain cleaner. It whitens and cleans your silicone sealants fast without vinegar, soap, bleach, gel, powder, spray, brush, or machines. It is easy to use as additional ingredient mixing is not required. It is valve-activated to control flow with a bullet nib for a more precise application.
The caulk is water-resistant and long-lasting. The silicone sealant cleaner pen is guaranteed to last long in your window, sinks, faucet, shower, bathtub, and toilet. It is also non-toxic, and you do not require any special protective clothing to work with it. It also dries fast, which makes it easy to use your shower again within a day.
Features
- Stain cleaner
- Valve activated
- Water-resistant
- Fast drying time
Pros
- Controlled flow
- Easy to use
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Not ideal for closed spaced tiles
Why does my shower caulk get moldy?
Some brands of shower caulk are not water-resistant. And as a result, it absorbs water, which ultimately becomes a breeding ground for mildew—coupled with the fact that it will not dry up quickly due to the humidity level in the shower. The exposure to germs in the bathroom, the moisture, and the warm air make shower caulk the perfect environment for mold growth.
Is black mold in the shower dangerous?
Yes. Black mold is the most toxic type of fungus. Its spores can be inhaled via the nose or mouth and take residence in the lungs where it causes inflammation, which leads to increased production of mucus in the body.
This then leads to other trickle-down effects in your immune system. In people with respiratory conditions and infants, exposure to black mold can be fatal in the long run. Any signs of mold should be dealt with with the utmost urgency to ensure it is permanently destroyed.
How do you prevent mold in shower caulking?
Aside from using mildew proof shower caulk, there are other measures to prevent mildew in caulking. A combination of these measures will help reduce the chances of growing mold in your bathroom.
Dehumidify your bathroom
Invest in a fan that comes equipped with a dehumidifier to remove moisture from your bathroom. This will make your shower less likely to grow mold. A simple fan venting to the outside will also force the moist air out of the bathroom faster making things better.
Seal your tiles
Use a waterproof seal on your tiles to prevent water from leaching into the caulk and make it a perfect breeding ground for mold growth.
Clean your shower often
Use an anti-mold shower cleaner to wash your shower walls and tiles. This will offer temporary mildew protection. You can also make your solution using water, vinegar, and a mild detergent. Use this to clean your shower every once in a while. To make the caulk in your shower, a non-conducive environment for mildew growth.
Use anti-mold protection
Chemical solutions with the potential to eliminate growing mold and prevent future mold growth are readily available in the market. Do this every few months to ensure the mold spores do not get a chance to creep into the caulk or any cracks slowly.
Taking care of mold in the bathroom
Use mold eliminating cleaner to scrub any signs of mildew. Then proceed to treat the area with an anti-mold treatment solution to prevent any more mold growth. If you are unsure, you can get the job done. Hire a professional to handle the mold elimination.
Ensure you dehumidify your bathroom to reduce the chance of mold growing back in the future. You should also consider retiling your bathroom if the mold growth is too intense, as this may be a sign that your tiles were not installed correctly. And you may have more mold underneath the tiles. It is better to be safe than sorry. Any mold spores left behind will ultimately lead to more mold growth.
Bottom Line
The best shower caulk to prevent mildew should be heat resistant to prevent shrinking when exposed to hot water. It should also be waterproof to prevent water permeation, which may ultimately cause mildew growth. It should be resistant to chemical to avoid breaking down after exposure to detergents and bleach used in cleaning the shower. Lastly, it should be non-toxic. No one wants to be exposed to toxins as they take their shower.