Why is pFOkUS Sentura – an Epoxy Shower Caulk Better than Silicone Caulk Sealers

You might be thinking that caulking your shower corners is the perfect solution to prevent water seepage or leakage. Caulk is a sealant that creates a preventive barrier on the grout lines, thereby preventing moisture absorption by the tiles or grout. Caulk is available in either an acrylic or silicone form. But the biggest issue with caulk is that it is quite temporary. Often, people get caulking done twice a year as a restorative measure because it keeps deteriorating. If you are frustrated with your caulking issues and are looking for a better substitute then we have just the perfect solution for you, pFOkUS’ Sentura – an Epoxy. Let us get into the depth of the matter.

Common Problems with Caulk:

• Caulk tends to peel off in wet settings and crack in dry settings.
• The moisture always prevalent in showers also leads to mold breeding, which further deteriorates the caulk, leaving a blackish green residue.
• When the temperature conditions are too dry, caulk often shrinks and cracks, thereby leading to gaps in the corners. Water gets accumulated in the gaps and leads to mold development.
• People often get re-caulking done in their shower corners as their old caulk wears off, but this is not a permanent solution as you will end up spending on caulking and re-caulking every five to six months, burning a hole in your pocket.

What is Caulking and When do you Need to Replace it?

Shower corners are either sealed with silicone or acrylic caulks traditionally. This prevents leakages or water seepage. But caulking is an old and outdated practice that has many issues and loopholes. It is also quite inefficient, as it does not provide a solution for the deep-rooted issues of mold and mildew. Firstly, caulking is not a permanent solution to sealing shower corners. It develops cracks or starts peeling within a few months. This happens especially in wet and damp bathrooms.

Caulking only provides a temporary relief for 5 to 6 months, afterwhich, it starts deteriorating. Re-caulking is often considered as an option to restore old caulking. It is nothing but applying a layer of new caulk over the damaged or existing caulk. Some even re-caulk the area after removing the old and damaged caulk. But both result in a temporary fix of sealing, afterwhich, leakage begins again.

Re-Caulking or Caulk-Replacement Reason:

Caulking or re-caulking fails because water penetrates the grout and the area beneath the tile, resulting in dampness and wet conditions. This proves in the first place that such caulk are not 100% waterproof, the very reason they are applied. Next, the dampness beneath leads to mold breeding, that later deteriorates caulk. Some people do not keep your bathroom windows open and do not allow much ventilation. This makes the caulk peel.

The areas where caulk peels or cracks again collect water and mold starts breeding in those gaps. A caulk replacement becomes evident when your old caulk wears off, but you get into a continuous loop by replacing, as it is bound to happen again. Today, we have alternatives to caulking around bathtubs, sinks and shower corners. Sentura – Epoxy shower caulk is a much better alternative.

5 Reasons Which Prove Silicone or Acrylic Caulking is Outdated:

1. Temporary:

As explained above, caulk gives very short-lived results. Any solution that is not permanent and that has to be done again and again, is not a solution in the first place. People prefer to have hassle-free permanent solutions.

2. Not Temperature- Resistant:

The caulk used in showers traditionally is not temperature resistant. As showers are always moist or damp, caulk deteriorates sooner. The peeling caulk not only ruins the aesthetic of your bathrooms, but also fails in providing protection.

It keeps getting attacked by mold, mildew and stains. Mold on caulk starts developing too as deteriorated caulk has gaps in which water is collected. In dry conditions, caulk shrinks and cracks. Re-caulking leads to the same issues again.

3. Caulk does not Raise the Aesthetic Beauty of Tile:

Caulk is also very bulky. With today’s new age products, it is possible to seal caulk with powerful epoxy resin sealers, which give a natural and sleek appearance, unlike caulk.

4. Caulk cannot be Shaded in Different Colors to Match your Tile Color:

Caulking a shower can be done in very few colors as caulk is not available in a variety of shades. This makes the caulk get noticed all the more in your shower areas. Today, more advanced epoxy resin sealers have come in the market, which can be pigmented in more than 40 shades and can be matched to your tile color.

5. Caulk is not Chemical Resistant:

When certain chemicals are used, caulk reacts with them, re-emulsifies or loses its bond, which leads to mold breeding again. If you have done caulking in your shower corners, you cannot use heavy duty cleaners, as they will damage the caulk.

What is the Best Caulk Substitute?

The recurring issue of re-caulking and caulk deterioration led to the development of a permanent sealant that would seal shower corners, bathtubs or sinks, without having to worry about the deterioration of the sealant. Such a caulk alternative would put an end to such problems and solve the problems of leakage or seepage forever. This is our Sentura – an epoxy caulk. Let us understand more about its formulation and usage.

What is Sentura?

Manufactured by pFOkUS, Sentura is our incredible caulk replacement product that has totally replaced the need for caulking. It is a two-part pigmented flexible solvent-based epoxy/resin, formulated with a 1200psi adhesion, which ensures that it never pops out from the surface.

Our epoxy grout sealer protects the floor from bacteria and stains which breed in shower corners by forming a permanent seal on the surface. It never cracks in dry settings like caulk. Furthermore, it can be pigmented in over 40 colors to make the shower area look very natural. This powerful adhesive can also be used for repairing cracked tile and grout.

Benefits:

• Sentura does not crack like caulk in dry weather conditions
• It does not peel like caulk in wet settings.
• It offers a permanent fix as opposed to caulking which needs to be redone after a few months.
• Sentura does not give a bulky appearance to your tile like caulk.
• It can be shaded in more than 40 colors to match your tile color unlike caulk which is available in a few shades only.

How to Remove Old Caulk:

Collect the Right Caulk Removal Tool:

• Triangle grout removal tool
• Razor scraper with 5 extra blades
• Utility Knife

Starting to Remove Caulk:

• Using a razor scraper, slide it down along the caulk line on the top and bottom to cut the edges loose.
• As you reach the corners, use the scraper to remove the caulk.
• At this stage, the caulk would have come loose, but will still remain bonded at the edges and joints.
• Next, use the triangle tool to remove any dense caulk left behind after using the razor scraper. The triangle tool is the best caulk removal tool that will not damage the surface and also remove any grout as well in the joint.
• Using a utility knife, cut the excess caulk from the joint. You will now find a void between the ground and the walls. This is the empty space where you will be using our caulk substitute.
• Again use a razor scraper to remove any caulk that remains in the grout joints.
• Remove all leftover caulk debris that remains on the surface.
• Clean up the debris from the tile by using a sweeper.
• Next, vacuum all the fine debris from the surface to get a clean and clear area.

Directions for Applying Sentura:

Here is how you can use Sentura to seal your shower corners. Do not think of bathroom tile recaulk but grab this sealer instead. The Sentura kit comes with an applicator bag and a few containers.

• Mix all part A and part B contents in the empty container.
• Mix all the contents thoroughly in the empty container.
• Put the mixed material into the provided applicator bag.
• Fill all the cracks and voids with Sentura.
• Use water to smooth Sentura.
• But, after applying Sentura, you might find some paint-buildup that is quite natural. Sentura cannot be cleaned by water.  And so, you will need Alco to clean the buildup.

Difference b/w Sentura Vs. Acrylic Vs. Silicone Caulk:

It is easy to get lured by different types of caulk available on the market mostly because of the clever advertising gimmicks. But if you know in detail about each kind, you will avoid making a mistake and buying exactly what you are looking for. Here is a detailed comparison chart between the three kinds of caulk.

Sentura – Specifications:

• It is 100% solids, made of two parts.
• It is moisture insensitive
• Sentura conforms to VOC regulations
• It is an aggregate filled epoxy/resin mortar.
• Sentura is a non-sag grout and it can be used instead of grout as well.
• It has excellent adhesion and physical properties.
• It is easy to use and can be used as a general purpose adhesive mortar as well.
• Sentura can be used on overhead and vertical surfaces.
• It is flexible and the best alternative for a sealant in wet areas.
• It is an excellent product to repair cracked grout or cracked tile.
• Sentura has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years when in showers, a lifespan of lifetime when used on residential floors and a lifespan of 15 to 20 years when used on commercial floors.

FAQs:

Q. What is the best caulking to use in a shower?

A. Sentura – an Epoxy caulk is the best caulk to use in a shower as it is a strong adhesive that is also waterproof, stain-proof and mold-proof. Sentura is not affected by the damp climate in a shower. Frequent water splashes or water clogging do not affect the shower corners that are sealed by Sentura.

Q. Is silicone or acrylic caulk better?

A. Both silicone and acrylic caulk have different uses. Silicone caulk is highly elastic and waterproof and hence, best for damp conditions like that in a shower, bathroom or pool areas. Acrylic caulk is best used to repair cracks in masonry in areas that are far from moisture or water. But, both of these caulks offer temporary solutions.

Q. Which is the best waterproof caulk?

A. The best waterproof caulk is Sentura – an epoxy caulk. It is a two-part solvent-based flexible adhesive based on 1200psi adhesion. It repels water and moisture and forms a waterproof barrier on the surface. Sentura also makes the water sheet off the surface and not penetrate.

Q. Which is the best mold resistant caulk?

A. The best mold-resistant caulk is one that does not allow water penetration or water absorption. Both Sentura and silicone are mold resistant caulks as they do not allow water clogging on their surfaces. Mold thrives only in damp areas and if there is no moisture or water around, it will not breed. So, Sentura or silicone caulk keep the surface mold-free. But, silicone caulk tends to wear off after some months, while Sentura gives permanent results.

Q. Is it OK to caulk over old caulk?

A. Many people resort to re-caulking or caulking over old and damaged caulk to save time and get a quick restored look. But, such a procedure is very temporary. Not only will caulking over old caulk give a very bulky and ugly appearance, but will also lead to water penetration and mold breeding quicker. The mold and stains that are already present over the old caulk will now thrive under the new caulk layer and soon spread over its surface as well.

Q. How do I stop my shower caulking from molding?

A. The best way to stop your shower caulking from molding is to remove your caulk and replace it with Sentura. It is a waterproof epoxy caulk that repels water, stains and mold. It will not allow water permeability and hence will not allow mold formation. The best part of using Sentura is that it will give a permanent respite from shower corner mold issues.

Q. Is sentura mold resistant?

A. Sentura is mold and mildew resistant because it is waterproof. It does not allow water to collect on a surface it has been applied on. Water will settle like beads on the surface that has been coated with Sentura. It also does not allow water absorption into the pores of the surface, thereby protecting it from dampness and moisture for long. With no moisture or dampness, mold cannot thrive.

Q. Are all silicone caulk mold resistant?

A. Yes, all silicone caulk is mold resistant too. But, they stay mold resistant for the short life-span they have. Silicone caulk starts peeling in a few months. Moreover, the area where caulk has peeled off, again collects water and mold develops in these gaps. The mold developing in-between the gaps of the peeling silicone caulk, soon spreads on the other silicone caulk as well, making it vulnerable to mold and mildew.

Q. What is the largest gap that Sentura can fill?

A. Sentura can be used to sculpt a statue as well. It has no weak point.

A Permanent Solution for your Damaged Shower Caulk!

So, get a permanent sealing job done in your shower corners. Get rid of your old caulk and replace it with our caulk alternative Sentura instead. It has been manufactured after years of research in the laboratories, by pFOkUS – one of the leading stone and grout restoration products manufacturing companies in the US. You will have permanent results with a sleek and natural appearance of your tile.