Bathroom caulking, while it makes a tub, sink and shower impervious to water for many, many years, it does not last forever. Over time, caulking can wear, crack, discolor and shrink, which may eventually lead to water damage. Prevent mildew, mold and water damage by maintaining bathroom fixtures. Plus, a fresh bead of caulk can make your space look brand new again. Check the caulk in your bathroom. The key spots to check are areas that are regularly wet, such as the corners and base of a freestanding shower and the end of a bathtub where a shower head hits. Depending on the condition of the caulk, you may be able to free it easily with the help of a putty knife (Image 1). A razor blade is also helpful, as you can use it to scrape the old caulk completely from the tile (Image 2) (Image 3). A caulk softener can speed the process. Work slowly and carefully. The surface of the tile is durable, but the old caulk needs to be removed completely from the tile surface. While some caulk spots may be in better condition than others, do your best to remove it all along each affected length (Image 4).

This way you aren’t forcing the old caulk to marry the new caulk, it won’t always work. When you are working to re-caulk a bathtub, fill the basin itself with water. The water helps to weight the tub and expand gaps. Use a small vacuum to remove excess caulk debris. Air Purifier Canada ReviewMoisten a paper towel with rubbing alcohol. Windows 8 Laptop Docking StationUse the alcohol to clean residue off the surface of the tiles along where you will need to re-apply caulk. Chow Chow Puppies FreeThis prep work helps to ensure a strong connection between the new caulk and the clean tile. Use a utility to trim the edge of the caulk tube and a long thin nail works well to puncture the foil sealing the tube (Image 1). Use a caulking gun to activate the tube and release the caulk or silicone.

Drag the tip of the gun in one swift motion that matches with the speed in which the caulk is emerging (Image 2). If excess caulk appears in certain areas more than others, or some areas only have a fine line of caulk, it is still fixable. You will get the hang of it if you work slowly. Wipe clean the tip of the caulk tube after each length. Continue along the perimeter of the bathtub and shower, working to re-caulk all edges. To remove extra globs of caulk and create even lines, dip your finger in water and run it down the caulk line to smooth it out (Image 1). When you wipe each length of the still-wet caulk; it will effectively force extra caulk into the open gap between tiles or between the bathtub and its surround. If you use a paper towel over your finger, refold it several times to make sure you aren’t transferring excess caulk onto the face of the tiles. If you are just using your finger, wipe clean and re-wet your finger regularly. If you encounter a space where not enough caulk was applied, you may be able to wipe excess from another part of the same seam.

If not, apply a new fine bead of caulk using the caulking gun and immediately smooth it out using a damp paper towel so that it merges with the rest of the new caulk. Most caulks and silicones have a short set time. So if caulk dries on surrounding tiles,  use a razor blade to score the edge of the caulk close to the original bead, and then scrape it clean from the face of the tile without disrupting the waterproofing seal.Sooner or later, mold always shows up in bathroom caulking. This article explains how to clean the old caulk out and then recaulk around a shower or tub. Anybody can recaulk a tub or shower. you need is a tube of caulk and a caulkingBut if you don't prep the surfaces properly, the caulk won't last long. And if you're sloppy, the messy caulk job will ruin the look of even the most beautifulWe talked to a few experts to learn how they get such smooth, clean-looking caulk lines, and we'll show youAnd we'll show you the best way to remove the old caulk and

prep the surface to get a long-lastingFinally, we'll give you a heads-up on how to avoid the most common You can remove the old caulk, prep the surface, and recaulk a tub or shower in about four hours (including drying time). You'll need a razor scraper and single-edge razor blades, caulk remover, mineral spirits, paper towels, a utility knife, a caulk gun, and kitchen and bath caulk. An oscillating tool with a flexible scraper blade really speeds up the job of removing old caulk, but you can do the jobHere's how to start. Buy the right caulk and a quality caulk gun Tubs and showers require a special caulk that contains mold and mildew preventionThe tubes are usually labeled “for kitchen and bath use.” are 100 percent silicone, but you can also find some latex versions. easier to tool and cleans up with soapIf this is your first time applying caulk, latex may be your best option.

Silicone is more challenging to tool and requires mineral spirits for cleanup. However, silicone lasts longer than latex and stays flexible over its life. harder to remove when it's time toBoth types can develop mold and mildew once the additives wear out. Most home centers and hardware stores stock only three kitchen and bath caulk colors: white, almond and clear. However, ask a salesclerk whether you can special-order a custom color. check out a paint or hardware store. can custom-mix colors right in the store. Most tile stores will carry a full range of colors. A high-quality caulk gun can make a difference in your caulk job. It has a sturdier plunger mechanism to provide a smooth, even flow and a pressure release to stop the flow quickly. caulk guns cost a bit more (about $15), but they're worth it. have a ratchet action or a sloppy friction mechanism that pushes the caulk out in bursts, so you apply too much in

some areas and too little in others. Remove the old caulk You can't apply new caulk on top of the old and expect it to last. So the old caulkIf the old caulk was silicone, you have to devote extra effort to remove all traces of it before applying new caulk. Start by slicing through the old caulk with a utility knife or an oscillating tool (Photo 1). Then scrape off as much old remover to break the adhesive bond and make it easier to scrape Once the old caulk is gone, remove any loose grout between the walls and the tub or shower floor. in the grout along the wall/tub gap with a mold-killing product. Scrub the grout and then rinse off the mold killer with water and let it dry (use a hair dryer toClean the surfaces one last time with mineral spirits. Avoid These Caulking Mistakes Buying the wrong caulk. Always use kitchen and bath caulk in a tub orIt contains mold and mildew inhibitors that are not present in other

Caulking on top of old caulk. New caulk doesn't bond well to old caulk, especially if the old caulk contains silicone. Just like with painting, better surface prep provides better results. Not removing mold on grout near the caulk areas. Grout is porous, and any mold present in the grout above the caulk line will eventually spread down into the new caulk area and destroy the bond. Cutting the nozzle larger than the gap you're filling. A larger opening applies too much product, making it harder to tool and clean up. Apply the caulk bead There are two schools of thought when it comes to tip angle and whether to pull or push the caulk. cutting the caulk tube nozzle at a blunt 20-degree angle, instead of 45And they hold the gun at a 90-degree angle to the gap while pushing a small bead ahead of the tip (Photo 4). That way, they can complete the entire bead in one pass. pressure forces the caulk deeper into the gap for better holding power and

If you cut the tip at a 45-degree angle and pull the gun away from the starting corner, your gun will always run into the opposite corner, forcing you to flip it 180 degrees and start theThat creates a blob where the two beads meet, making toolingPlus, pulling the gun tends to apply a surface bead that doesn't penetrate as far into the gap. Whichever tip angle you choose, always cut the tip with a sharp utility knife rather than the cheesy guillotine mechanism built into some caulkRemove any burrs with a utility knife or sandpaper before caulking—the burrs will create grooves in the Shape the bead and remove the tape You can find all kinds of caulk-shaping tools at home centers. take our advice and tape off the wall, you won't need any shaping tools. use your index finger to tool the caulkAfter tooling, remove the masking tape while the caulk is stillLet the caulk cure for the recommended time before using