Bathtub & Shower Caulking in Ottawa
Caulking is a maintenance item with a lifespan, not a permanent installation. Three to five years is normal, less in a busy family bathroom. The reason it matters more than it looks: the bead at the base of a tub is the last line between shower water and the floor structure underneath it.
$145–$250 per tub or shower surround
Common problems we fix
What actually turns up on these calls in Ottawa homes, and what each one really means.
The caulking has gone black
Mould has grown into the sealant itself, which means cleaning will not fix it. It comes out completely and gets replaced — bleaching the surface only removes the colour, not the growth.
It is peeling away from the tub
Usually applied over a wet or dirty surface, or the wrong product was used. Silicone will not bond to soap residue and it will not bond to old silicone.
There is a gap at the base of the tub
The tub flexes when it fills. Caulk applied to an empty tub splits the first time someone takes a bath — the bead should be applied with the tub full, then left to cure.
Somebody caulked over the old caulking
Common, and it always fails. The new bead is only as good as the surface under it, and old sealant is not a surface.
The joint keeps cracking in the same place
Movement in the surround. Sometimes the fix is a backer rod behind the sealant so the bead can flex rather than tear.
How the work is done
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1
Strip completely
Every trace of old sealant removed mechanically, not softened and smeared.
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2
Clean and dry
Surfaces degreased and given time to dry properly — this is the step most people skip.
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3
Fill the tub
Where the bead is at a tub base, the tub is filled so the joint is at its widest before sealing.
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4
Apply and tool
Single continuous bead, tooled to a concave profile that sheds water rather than holding it.
What it costs
A standard tub surround is $145–$215. A full shower enclosure with multiple joints runs $190–$250. If tile or grout also needs work, doing both in one visit saves a second callout and the joint is only as good as the grout beside it anyway.
See the full Ottawa rate card →Frequently asked — Bathtub Caulking Ottawa
How often should bathroom caulking be replaced?
Every three to five years in normal use. Sooner if it discolours, peels or cracks. It is one of the cheapest preventative jobs in a house.
Can you just caulk over the old bead?
No — and anyone who offers to should be declined. Silicone does not bond to cured silicone, so it will lift within months and trap moisture while it does.
How long before I can use the shower?
Most sealants need 24 hours to cure fully. We will tell you the specific product's time before leaving.
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Part of Fixtures & Small Plumbing · Serving Kanata, Stittsville, Nepean, Barrhaven, Orléans, Gloucester and all of Ottawa.
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