Our bathroom always smelled a little damp, but I ignored it until water started creeping along the base of the tub. I was convinced we’d need a contractor. Then a friend suggested, “Check the caulk first.”
I bought a basic caulk gun and silicone tube, watched a quick tutorial, and nervously scraped out the cracked, moldy line around the tub. It looked worse before it looked better. But I carefully reapplied a smooth bead, wiped it with a wet finger, and let it cure.
The next day, the leak was gone. No mystery. No expensive repairs. Just failed caulk.
It was a small job, yet I felt strangely proud. I realized how many “big problems” in houses start as tiny gaps we overlook.
Final thought: That $12 caulk gun paid for itself instantly and taught me not to panic before checking the simple fixes first.
