Leaky shower wall joints can cause unpleasant odor and excessive dampness in the bathroom. Too much moisture in the bathroom can also promote mildew and mould growths. That is why sealing your shower is important to prevent these water and moisture-related problems.
Caulks are usually applied on shower wall joints and shower trays to prevent excessive moisture and lessen foul odor in the bathroom. However, caulks or sealants would eventually deteriorate after some time. Likewise, improper application of the sealant during installation can also cause bathroom-related issues.
While re-sealing a shower wall joint or tray can be a loathsome task, someone has to do the job. However, you should know that this task is not really hard at all and requires simple steps to follow.
With that, here are some tips you can follow to seal your shower:
1. Check whether the caulk around your shower wall joints has either pulled away or formed cracks. These two issues can cause water to seep through the wall that can cause the above bathroom problems.
2. If the caulk has pulled away or cracks have formed, get a putty knife to remove the caulk. Caulks are usually made of silicone or latex. Between the two, the former is softer and comes off easily. On the other hand, the latter needs to be softened first before removal. Caulk-softening agents can be bought in hardware stores.
3. When the old caulk has been removed, buy a replacement caulk to re-seal the shower wall joints. Latex caulk is easier to use and clean, but silicone caulk is more stable than latex. You may also need a caulk gun depending on the caulk brand you will use.
4. Before applying the new caulk, clean the exposed shower wall joint area first using a cloth with turpentine. Make sure to remove the traces of the old caulk and wipe the joint dry.
5. Using a strip of tape, cover the wall and the glass screen when you apply the new caulk. Ensure that you won’t cover the shower wall joint itself.
6. Using a knife, cut the caulk tube tip at 45-degree angle to break the seal of the tube. Then, press a small amount of caulk along the shower wall joints and smoothen it using a moist finger. Remove the excess caulk using an old rag soaked in soapy water.
7. Remove the tape as soon as you are done applying the caulk. Leave the caulk to set in for about 72 hours.
Shower Seal
Another shower-related problem you may encounter is a leaky shower. Leaky showers can cause water wastage. In effect, it can also cause moisture in the bathroom that result to mold and mildew formation. The use of sealant is also applicable here, along with the following steps to repair your leaky shower:
1. If possible, turn off the entire water controls before starting to fix your shower.
2. Next, remove the showerhead. If it’s hard to remove, use a wrench to turn it. Check for a worn plastic washer or rubber O-rings. If there is such, buy a new one.
3. Clean the showerhead using 3 cups of water and 3 cups of vinegar, then soak it in the mixture for up to 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing it.
4. Using Teflon tape, wrap it around the end of the pipe before putting the showerhead back. Test for any more leaks.
Narelle O'Kell 
Robert and Julijana
Sarah Barlow
Stanhope Gardens 
Mathew Kitching