Caulk and Caulk Guns - Home Improvement Podcast

This week on our Fix It Home Improvement Podcast we talk about Caulk

Silicone vs Caulk

Shower Caulking Tips

Here are some tips for caulking a shower.

How to Caulk a Bathtub

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If you need to caulk a tub or shower, it is easier to use a caulk with added silicone. Most are labeled tub and tile caulk. If you use a pure 100% silicone, it is much harder to control.

To remove the old caulk, a two sided removal tool is the most effective. Use a plastic scraper to get most of the old caulk off and if needed, finish with a one sided razor, keeping the edge at a very small angle.

If you have any mold or mildew, remove it before applying the new caulk or it will bleed through. Use bleach at 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Wear rubber gloves and do not mix with any other chemical. Rinse thoroughly.

Apply the new tub and tile caulk in a small bead and smooth with your finger or a smoothing tool. If you apply too much, just remove the excess with your finger or a paper towel and keep working it while it is wet till it looks good.

With a little practice, you can get a professional finish.

Caulk Remover for Tubs and Showers

There are a variety of tools on the market for caulk removal. One the most effective I've found is a caulk removal tool with a hard plastic V shape. It will allow you to get into the corner and scrape away at both sides of the caulk bead. You can then clean up the remaining caulk with a plastic scraper or a single edge razor blade.

After removing the caulk, always clean up any mold or mildew with bleach or a mold killer. If you do not kill the existing mold, it will bleed through the new caulk.