Space between drywall and bathroom shower enclosure - how to fill
#1
11-14-14, 11:06 AM
Space between drywall and bathroom shower enclosure - how to fill
So, I needed to redo the caulking in my bathroom as it was in bad shape.
To my surprise when I removed the caulk, there seems to be a rather large gap between the top of the shower enclosure and the drywall. The previous owner had some sort of drywall mud/plaster packed in there. The caulk and plaster came out quite easily and cleanly leaving the drywall sheet a little more than a 1/4 inch short of the shower enclosure.
So I was wondering how I should go about filling this gap. Just with caulk? Should I pack in some drywall mud. But then do I caulk over that. Thanks for your time.
See pictures
To my surprise when I removed the caulk, there seems to be a rather large gap between the top of the shower enclosure and the drywall. The previous owner had some sort of drywall mud/plaster packed in there. The caulk and plaster came out quite easily and cleanly leaving the drywall sheet a little more than a 1/4 inch short of the shower enclosure.
So I was wondering how I should go about filling this gap. Just with caulk? Should I pack in some drywall mud. But then do I caulk over that. Thanks for your time.
See pictures
#3
11-14-14, 12:07 PM
Thanks Ray, thats a good idea. So then will I be caulking the moulding both where it meets the drywall and where it rests on the surround. The surround is definitely wide enough and I happen to have some shoe moulding as well
#4
11-14-14, 02:10 PM
I'd be leery of using wood shoe molding but plastic/pvc molding would be fine. I usually pack the gap full of setting compound, tape and finish it to match the wall, then caulk the bottom of the repaired wall to the tub.
#5
11-14-14, 03:29 PM
Thanks marksr. You are the most helpful guy around here! My molding is wood 
So my understanding of your process is
1. Pack in joint compound.
2. Add tape
3. Add more joint compound to properly seat the tape
4. Match whatever finish after step 3 is all dried.
5. Caulk? I guess here is where I lose my way. What are you caulking, if you pack in joint compound won't it be packed all the way to the ledge. By ledge I mean what the penny in my picture is sitting on.
thanks again for your time
So my understanding of your process is
1. Pack in joint compound.
2. Add tape
3. Add more joint compound to properly seat the tape
4. Match whatever finish after step 3 is all dried.
5. Caulk? I guess here is where I lose my way. What are you caulking, if you pack in joint compound won't it be packed all the way to the ledge. By ledge I mean what the penny in my picture is sitting on.
thanks again for your time
#6
11-14-14, 03:36 PM
Regular joint compound will shrink if you apply it heavy so it might take a couple of coats. Setting compound [like durabond] can be applied in one coat to fill the void. Joint compound won't do a good job of sealing the gap and will crack between the mud/tape and the tub surround.
#7
11-14-14, 03:45 PM
Oh, I see. I did not know that. I will use setting compound.
But regarding my 5) will their be a gap at the bottom of the setting compound that I caulk?
But regarding my 5) will their be a gap at the bottom of the setting compound that I caulk?
I did write plastic shoe molding. Mark though has given you the more professional way.
#10
11-15-14, 06:53 AM
Right then! I am all set. Feel fully informed and after a trip to the local hardware store, am going to go for it today! Thank you Ray and Marksr.
ps: yes, sorry Ray, you did say plastic that I optimistically interpreted as shoe molding.
ps: yes, sorry Ray, you did say plastic that I optimistically interpreted as shoe molding.
