Replace Bathtub Caulk

Before applying new caulk around your bathtub shower or sink you must firsts remove the old caulk.

Replace bathtub caulk. Slice through the caulk along the walls with a utility knife or with an oscillating tool equipped with a flexible scraper blade. Sooner or later mold always shows up in bathroom caulking. Step 2 clean the surface area thoroughly after all the old bathtub caulk has been removed sand down the area to remove any burrs so you have a smooth surface for the caulking. If any of the caulking is left over on the tub the new caulking won t stick.

Take the razor blade and carefully pry the old caulking off the tub. After removing your old peeling caulk line it s time to lay a brand new line of caulk into the gap left around your tub where it meets the wall or tub surround. A sign that you should replace your caulk is when it starts to curl up at the corners or turn brown. Keep the angle of the blade as low as possible and watch the caulking to see if it s being cut.

Then use your. New caulk doesn t stick to old caulk so if you fail to remove the old stuff the new caulk can t form a watertight seal leaving the potential for moisture to seep into areas where you don t want it. This step by step tutorial shows you how to properly go about your next bathtub caulking project in order to ensure a watertight seal and pristine white finish. Depending on the condition of the caulk you may be able to free it easily with the help of a putty knife image 1.

If you see the caulk around your tub starting to age or you see mold growing you ll want to remove and replace the existing caulk. 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. For this job tom sliced away the old acrylic latex caulk with quick sharp strokes of a 5 in 1. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva demonstrates the correct materials and techniques required for re caulking a bathtub.

Before you can re caulk the tub you need to remove the old stuff entirely it can be a time consuming task but it s. Subscribe to this old h. Removing mildew moldy caulk does not have to be a difficult task. When this happens you will have a much bigger problem than just removing caulk or grout.

This article explains how to clean the old caulk out and then recaulk around a shower or tub. Check the caulk in your bathroom.