Sterling's tongue-and-groove walls create a seamless look at the base and wall corners. The pieces slide in and lock together (you'll hear an audible click). Because of the locking design, the walls remain in place without caulk. That's right.
No, there should be a small amount of silicone at the front of each of the two end walls, but other than that it's designed to shed water through ``gutters''. Caulking in Sterling would lead to mold issues behind the panels.
I would definitely caulk all those gaps. Your just asking for water to leak out. Be sure to use a tub and shower caulk not a regular caulk for windows and doors. Tape off where you want the caulk to be so it leaves a nice smooth clean professional looking line.
After Installation – When you first install your 3-piece shower, you should caulk the joints to ensure that the system is watertight.
A rather important, but often ignored part of your bathroom installation is the white, squishy caulking in your tub or shower. Other than a good finish material and a waterproofing base, caulking probably plays the most important role in preventing water damage to your beautiful shower enclosure.
Water buildup anywhere in your bathroom can lead to the development of mold and mildew, and in some cases cause rotting around windows and doors. Also, don't caulk plumbing fixtures or areas that have moving parts like hinges or sliding shower doors.
The shower enclosures have to be sealed with silicone only on the outside. If silicone is applied inside, the water possibly leaking through the profiles may reach the outside, whereas if both the inside and outside have been sealed, water might stagnate inside the profiles themselves.
Silicone caulk can be directly applied to your shower, and you do not need to use a lot of it as it allows a more precise application and reduces waste. The other major factors are durability and water-resistance which makes it the better choice for showers, facets and any high-moisture area of your home.
Periodically re-caulking the corners of your tiled shower walls is essential to prevent water penetration and potential damage to your home. When you notice cracks in the grout or caulk, it's time to re-caulk to maintain the integrity of your shower and surrounding areas.
Depending on the depth and width of your joints, one 10-ounce tube should be sufficient to finish the average-sized tub or shower—and you will likely have leftover caulk. For small showers and tubs, a smaller tube may be enough.
Caulking around the showerhead trim is optional, as this area usually isn't prone to much water intrusion.
Customers say the Sterling shower unit is generally well-designed and easy to install, with features like slip-resistant flooring and ample shelving being particularly appreciated. However, many customers experienced issues with product damage during shipping, leading to delays in their projects.
In conclusion, while the decision to caulk between the tile and the shower pan will depend on a few different factors, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Adding caulk to your installation will help to prevent water damage and keep your shower watertight.
You'll hear many conflicting pieces of advice on this; we recommend only sealing a cubicle with silicone on the outside. If applied to the inside, water may leak through the profiles causing a damp patch. And if sealed on both the inside and outside, trapped moisture will stagnate within.
One reason silicone may not stick to a surface sufficiently is because the joint may be dirty. Any small amount of dust or debris will prevent the sealant from bonding enough to keep it watertight.
Caulk and Seal
To avoid moisture problems and preserve the integrity of your new unit, it's extremely important to make sure your new shower enclosure is sealed properly.
If the caulk in your shower is beginning to lift, is showing signs of mold, or is broken, water will begin to penetrate into the walls, eventually causing major damage. Ignoring cracked or moldy caulk lines will only cost you more time and money in the long run.
Caulking your shower keeps your bathroom looking clean, helps avoid mold and mildew build-up, and seriously reduces the risk of leaks. In general, showers should be caulked once per year, though you may have to do it more or less frequently depending on the type of caulk you use and how well you apply it.
Once the gap is filled, dip your index finger in your bucket of water. Using a wet finger, slowly smooth out your line. If excess caulk comes off on your finger, clean it off in your bucket. Re-wet your finger and finish smoothing out your line.
Choosing bathroom and shower sealants is an important part of any DIY bathroom renovation project. We recommend ARBO Arbosil HM 310ml – Internal Sanitary Sealant, MAPESIL AC – Internal Silicone Sealants – All Colours, and Everbuild Showerproof & Bathroom Sealant 280ml as three of the best options on the market.
In this case, the most important points of contact between the shower tray and the wall and with the place where shower enclosure is installed on the shower tray. It is these points that are most prone to leaks.