How do I recaulk the my bathtub?

Question

The caulking around my bathtub connecting to the wall is starting to mold and peel. What's the easiest and best way to recaulk it at home? Please keep in mind I'm a woman with not very much knowledge on hardware, simple please! Thanks!

Answer 1

Be sure to remove all of the old caulk and clean up the walls good. 100% silicone is what you need to use, get the closest color to your bathtub. Silicone can get messy, so if you use your fingers to smooth bead of caulk, be sure to put some liquid soap on your finger first, this will keep the silicone from sticking to your finger and give a smooth look. You can also put a strip of painters tape 1/4 inch out on each side of the corner. Then put your bead of silicone down, and push it into the corner good with your finger, then pull the tape up. This way you can add more to areas where you need it without messing up the joint. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Hi, recaulking the bathtub can be done fairly easy. Any hardware store sells small tubes of bathroom tub caulking and since it is a small job you wouldn't need to purchase a caulking gun to do it with, just the tube type. And since you stated little knowledge you can use kitchen utensils to remove the old caulking without the worry of scratching the tub. Tools that you can use found in the kitchen are one corn cob holder, (the wooden stick kind), or a knitting needle, a wooden spatula, a sponge and a rough hand towel. First take very hot water and wet one end of the caulking to help loosen it, then use the wooden corn cob holder to pry out an end long enough to hold on to and as you wet more of the caulking slowly but firmly pull on the caulking. Most of it will pull out, then using the wooden spatula scrape the remainder of the caulking off. Once done clean with a sponge and since you mentioned some mold use a little bleach water to wash the area and wipe dry. Once it is dry you then take the caulking and only cut then end off towards the tip, you will see several rings on the tip, cut at an angle on the second or third ring, about a 45 degree angle. Hold the end of the tube (tip part) facing the wall right along the top of the opening between the tub and the wall and gently squeeze the tube and slowly slide it along the opening filling the crack. You might see blobs or wrinkles but dont worry, once you have filled the whole crack you wet your finger with cool or cold water and smooth out the caulking and let dry the amount of time that is on the tube. Usually it is overnight before using otherwise it just washes loose. It doesn't really take all that long to do and you will be very satisfied with the results.
Have a nice day now.

Answer 3

I'm a woman and I did my own tub & shower.
First you have to remove all the old caulking, which I believe is the hardest part. They sell scrapers and stuff to help, just takes a lot of elbow grease.
After it's removed make sure the surface is completely dry or the caulk won't stick.
I used a kithen & bath silicone caulk because it holds up to being wet better.
You'll put the tube of caulk in the caulk gun (also available at the store) and twist it up till it's tight then cut the tip off the caulk, not too far back because the wider the opening the more caulk will come out.
I would start in one corner and a smaller area first and get some practice but you have to squeeze it out and move the gun all at the same time without lifting it up off the surface. Once you get what you want on there I use my fingers, to push into the seam and smooth any rough spots, then I use a lot of paper towels to wipe it off your hands. It is messy but it will come off your skin and your fingers work better than any tool I've tried.
Just remember it's not permanent that you can always scrape it off and do it again.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I honestly just did this over the weekend. I went to Home Depot and bought POLYBLEND CERAMIC TILE CAULK. For use around the tubs, showers, sinks and where the tile meets other surfaces. It is a silicone caulk. Directions are very easy. It cost me about 3-4 dollars. unfortunately can't find the receipt. It is in the tile aisle at the store. It comes in a tube and no need to buy any special equipment.

Answer 5

first clean old stuff with scraper or scrudriver and exacta knife works well cut along old caulking and remove acess stuff u have to make shure is no left overs must be clean vaccum left over gummy pieces u can by caulking machine and white caulking for bath and kitchen put in and cut small opening at 45degrees push scredriver inside to get caulking working then squeeze a trigger and start caulking along side in the buthtub and go over with ur finger to have smooth finish have paper towel handy to wipe excess of caulking and let it dry for 24 hours to cure itself

Answer 6

First, don't buy acrylic caulking. It is the cheapest, but you will be doing it again in a year. Spend the little extra and buy silicone caulking, then you can buy a little tool for applying it. Both can be bought at any home store.

Answer 7

Hire a professional painter with the right caulking gun and caulking product....tub and tile caulk for the bath.