From: "Brikp" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: A bathtub question
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:58:34 -0400

The tub should be caulked when full. Its probably an acrylic, plastic or
fiberglass tub. They are typically set in mortar or sand to give a firm
base. This step was probably skipped or done incorrectly. Try caulking while
fully loaded. Let the water stay in while the caulk cures.

"John W."  wrote in message
news:73fde4f0.0409170914.27e858ac@posting.google.com...
> Hope this is the right forum for this.
>
> I've got a new house, just a few months old. Shortly after moving in I
> noticed that when the master bath (a large jacuzzi tub) had water in
> it a crack developed on the drain end between the tile and the tub. I
> spoke with the builder and they came out and "fixed" the problem by
> caulking the crack. Well, now the caulk is separating from the bathtub
> because the source of the crack was never fixed or investigated, at
> least initially.
>
> I explained this to the builder and they said they couldn't find a
> crack; while I suspect they didn't fill the tub with water as I told
> them they need to do, I can't prove that. It's fairly obvious, though;
> before they caulked over it the crack was about 1/8th inch. My concern
> is that moisture will get in the wall and cause mold, rot, etc.; yet
> the builder is being stubborn. When they first looked at it they said
> it was natural (they also said it's natural not to caulk along the
> bottom of the tub, so I'm skeptical of this builder).
>
> My question is this: should a tub flex that much when weight is in it?
> What could be the source of the problem? I figure I'm going to have to
> fix it myself, but the builder is obligated to do that; do you think
> they'd let me send them a bill if I did it myself :)?
>
> All help appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> John W.
> worthj1970@yahoo.com