Are Your Bathtub and Shower Enclosures Coming Apart at the Seams?

Failure to re-caulk can lead to crackups and breakdowns.

Though we sometimes try to ignore them, our showers and tubs tell us when it’s time to re-caulk. They begin subtly with hairline fractures in seams and joints. If that doesn’t get our attention, they call in stubborn mildew, making everything look dingy and dirty. The sooner you grab your caulking gun and putty knife the more likely you are to prevent ugliness and potential structural damage.

Before you re-caulk, un-caulk.

Use a putty knife or razor blade device to cut away the old caulk from joints and seams. Most, if not all of it should peel away fairly easily, but if you run across a stubborn patch, use a commercial caulk-softening product. Your local hardware store can recommend one. Don’t be too aggressive when scraping around granite, marble and slate. Their surfaces can be easily scratched.

Kill the mildew and prepare the surface.

Once you’ve removed the old caulk, clean the joint edges with isopropyl alcohol and dry them with a clean rag. To prevent mildew, mix up a solution of one part ammonia-free liquid chlorine bleach to three parts warm water. Add a small amount of powdered laundry detergent and use a spray bottle to apply the solution to all surfaces that will be caulked. Allow the area to dry before applying the new caulk, preferably overnight. You can also use a hot air gun or hair dryer to speed things up.

Tape it. Caulk it. Admire it.

Apply masking tape or blue painter’s tape about 1/8 inch on either side of the seams to be caulked. This will help keep your caulk lines smooth and straight like the pros. Cut off the plastic tip from your silicone caulk tube, leaving an opening of about 1/8 inch or less. Apply a thin bead of caulk to the seams and use a wet sponge to moisten your finger so you can smooth out the caulk. Remove the tape and wait about 24 hours for the caulk to dry. This will give you ample time to invite others to admire your work.

See… caulking is easy. And, when you take the initiative and do this yearly, you could save yourself costly repairs in the future!