removing mildewy caulk in shower, need advice please

[Karlie]

Four questions about removing the sanded caulk from where the shower floor meets the wall (and replacing it). Mold in the new bathroom is freaking me out, and I don't know how to evaluate if it's normal or a problem.

1. I just installed this about a year ago, is it normal to be seeing mildew in the caulk already-I clean it with soft scrub beach every week or 2, but wasn't able to get rid of it.

2. Is there a better tool to use than a matt knife to remove the old caulk? This is really a pain.

3. There seems to be moisture behind the caulk. Is this normal condensation, or the sign of real trouble?

(There is a redi tile pan under the tile, the tiling was done with the epoxy thin set that comes with the pan and the floor is grouted with spectralock. The walls are regular grout, which was sealed about a year ago when the tile was finished.)

4. I am smelling a lot of mildew on my hands (like an old kitchen sponge) as I pull this stuff out. If I can get it all out, spray with bleach water and dry it out with a hair dryer, is that good enough, or does it need to breath/dry out for a while before I re-calk (using silicone kitchen and bath sealant this time).

I guess I am worrying that water is penetrating the grout (or going in behind the shower handles) and rolling down to sit at the floor level behind the grout and caulk. Is this a realistic concern or am I making up problems for myself?

Thanks in advance,
Karlie

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[Davestone]

Mold needs food(cellulose) and light and moisture to grow.How your shower was constructed is a main issue.If it has mastic,green board,a leak, no preslope,poor floor pitch, or any combination it could be the problem.There are caulk removing tools such as the FEIN, but i wouldn't pay the money.Here's a handy link...http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HE633

[Karlie]

thanks for the link Dave, that was helpful. I will spray with the combination of cleaners they recommend and let it ventilate for a day or so before the caulk goes back in (it's our only shower). The walls behind the tile are hardibacker, water does sit in front of the drain some times (not a perfect slope I'm afraid) but the caulk line behind the drain where the caulk was really wet is above that.

I think there is a removable panel in the wall behind the shower in the next room (behind a book case) that can be opened to see if there is a leak in the plumbing or mold behind the wall. I guess that's my next move.

Hopefully, the caulk in that area is just wet from splash back, if so, I hope the silicon will just be a better sealer.