How to redo caulking around bath tub?
Here is a list of what you will need to complete the re-caulking:
- a bottle of alcohol
- caulk remover (silicone)
- tube or squeeze tube of caulk
- rags
- utility knife
- caulk gun if not using the squeeze tube
- utility scissors
The way to re-caulk a bath tub is to make sure the area around the top of the tub is dry. Remove caulk with a utility knife, pulling it up gently with your free hand. Use silicone remover to remove remaining reside and small pieces left behind. Wipe area and walls with a damp rag dipped in alcohol. Make sure to wipe dry the ledge and walls if needed to absorb any moisture that remains.
Fill tub about half full with water. This will prevent the caulk from pulling away from the wall down the road. Make sure water is not near the area to be caulked. If you see any water dry the area with a rag or towel. Cut caulk tub on an angle. Use caulk in a tube or caulk with a caulking gun to place a thin bead of caulk between the tub and wall going around the entire tub. While caulk is still wet you can run your finger or a rag along the edge of the caulk line if needed.
Do not use the tub for at least twenty-four hours (forty-eight hours is best if you can do that) afterward to allow the caulk to completely dry. Be sure to dry the area completely after each shower or bath.
Elbow grease. I use an ice pick to get it off. Then I buy a silicone caulk and caulking gun if you need it. Get rubber gloves and a wet rag, (that you don’t need anymore). After removing old caulk, make sure you dry the surface thoroughly. After drying I use rubbing alcohol to really dry it. (Do it on a day that you won’t need to take a shower for at least 8-10 hours. Or however many hours the caulk container says.) Then apply slowly with the caulk gun…it will come out very fast if you squeeze too hard. As you are applying the caulk, run your finger (with the gloves on), behind it to smooth the caulk into the area so that it shapes into the groove you are putting it on. It’s messy but worth it. After it dries, keep it clean. Although Sylicones do say “repels mildew” it really doesn’t if you don’t keep it clean. If you don’t clean it at least once a week or more, it will absorb the mildew and you won’t be able to clean it off. Hope this helps.
