Caulk is impermeable meaning it won t let in water.
Grout or caulk between wall tile and tub.
That moisture is coming from behind the tiled wall.
Hence the puzzlement of why one can t clean caulk that appears to be sound.
Then once it gets wet for a while the caulk basically turns to gooo and can be wiped away.
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.
If this happens in your home remove the grout and replace it with caulk.
Or where the edge of a tile meets the wall.
Caulk is a sealant typically made of silicone or acrylic material.
Caulking is much more water tight and will not allow water to get between the tile planes and leak behind the shower.
Caulk traps moisture that s behind it by not allowing it to evaporate.
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 should be used between the tile planes where there is flex and movement between the tile planes.
And then there s this from a home inspector.
Grout not caulk where tile meets tub.
Caulk will also flex much more than grout and will not crack and break when there is movement in the caulked areas.
His explanation makes sense.
As a home settles however grout can crack.
After caulking the tub tile joint with a bathroom silicon and letting it sit for at least 2 days empty tub it all seems to have hardened and looks good.