Plumbing

If your bathroom feels like it could use a little refresh these days, one great way to brighten things up is to re-caulk your shower or bath. Over time, the caulk in your shower will collect dirt and mold, dulling the overall presentation of your bathroom.

Replacing the caulk in your bathroom is a bathroom repair that is an easy do-it-yourself job! But of course, you can also contact a professional if you prefer.

Recaulking your shower will typically take a day to do and then 24 hours of drying time, so it’s a pretty simple process. You will need some tools to get started, but here are the six easy steps for how to caulk your shower.

Tools to Caulk Your Shower

These items can be found at any hardware or home improvement store. Go to the bathroom repair area or ask an associate to help you track down supplies.

You will need:
  • A caulking gun
  • Silicone or latex bathroom caulk
  • A utility knife or oscillating tool
  • Painter’s tape
  • Mold cleaner and other cleaning supplies

Step 1: Choosing the Right Caulk

Bathroom caulk comes in silicone, latex, or a combo of the two. While silicone provides a better seal, latex is easier to work with.

Look for a formula that contains both, giving you a superior seal with flexibility. If you’re only able to find silicone or latex, however, that’s fine. Just make sure the caulk is designated for bathroom or kitchen use since these formulas prevent mildew and mold from growing in moist environments like a shower.
Step 2: Scrape Away the Old Caulk
You’ll need a utility knife to loosen and scrape old caulk out of your shower. Begin by scraping your knife or tool in all the areas where there’s old caulk.

Continue scraping until the edges begin to lift, and you can pull it up. If you encounter stubborn areas, use a razor blade to remove it.

Step 3: Clean the Area of All Dirt and Mold

A clean surface is necessary to help the new caulk stick and form a seal. Remove any dirt, debris, or mold left behind by scrubbing with a brush and cleaning solution.

If the mold is stubborn, use a special mold-remover solution that you can find at the hardware store. Once the area is clean, dry it and do a final once-over with mineral spirits. Allow the area to dry before applying the new caulk.

Step 4: Line the Area with Painter’s Tape

Painter’s tape provides clean lines for the precision application of your caulk. Apply tape starting from the corners of the biggest gap in the shower, which is typically between the shower and the wall.

Run the painter’s tape along the gaps on the shower wall and floor. Make sure to press down on the painter’s tape to form a clean edge.

Step 5: Now Apply the New Caulking

The prep work is now complete and it’s time to apply the new caulking to your shower. The process is simple – hold the caulking gun at a 90-degree angle and press the tip down while pulling gently on the handle.

A small bead should come out, which you can then move along the gap to apply the caulk. Run the caulking gun along all the gaps and edges to fill them until the shower is complete.

Step 6: Cleanup

Once you have applied all the caulk along the shower, take a damp cloth and run it along the newly added caulk to smooth it down and make it even. Afterward, remove the painter’s tape starting from the corners, pulling gently.

This tape should lift easily. Now you must let your shower dry for a full 24 hours. This is imperative to ensure the caulking sets and dries properly.

Congrats on a Job Well Done

Now that you have waited the full 24-hour drying period, do a simple touch test to make sure the caulk is fully dried. You never want to wet caulk that isn’t fully set or dried, so this is a good idea to confirm before running water over the space. Voila! This bathroom repair was easier than expected, right? For any other bathroom repairs, contact the experts at JW Plumbing, Heating and Air.

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