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Signs of Water Damage Behind a Tub or Shower Surround
Short answer
The main signs are wall or tile that feels soft or moves when pressed, staining on the ceiling below the bathroom, bubbling paint or swelling trim near the tub, soft flooring beside it, and a musty smell with no visible mould. Any of these means more than a recaulk.
What to check, and how
Start by pressing firmly with your thumb on the wall tile or surround just above the tub, along the whole length and in the corners. It should feel like a solid wall. Then look at the drywall, paint and trim on the outside of the tub or shower, where water tends to show first as bubbling paint or a swollen baseboard. Step on the floor right beside the tub and feel for give. If the bathroom is on an upper floor, check the ceiling below it for rings or discolouration, and open any access panel behind the tub taps.
What a recaulk can and can't fix
Caulk seals a joint. If the only problem is a cracked, peeling or mouldy bead and everything around it is solid, a recaulk is the right repair and it will stop water getting in at that joint. It won't dry out a wet wall, fix a leaking valve or drain, or replace rotted backing.
Leaking plumbing can look like a caulk failure. If the staining keeps growing when nobody has showered, or shows up in one spot below the valve or drain, have a plumber check before anyone reseals it.
When mould is inside the wall
Health Canada's guidance recommends a professional when hidden mould is suspected inside walls or above ceilings, when mould returns after cleaning, or when a single patch is larger than 3 square metres. It also says strong musty odours with no visible mould may be worth a professional's opinion.
How we handle it
You upload photos when you book with Caulk Control, and if they show more than a caulk problem, we tell you before the appointment. Some problems only appear when the old bead comes out. If we find soft or rotted wall, failed tile or an active leak, we stop, show you what we found, and you aren't charged. We can offer to quote the repair separately.