how to re-caulk a shower stall-caulk is old and mildewed....!?

Question

Hi...I have never used a caulk gun, but have gross caulk that needs to be replaced in kitchen and my shower...can you tell me what to do...?

Answer 1

simply rip out the old caulking and put in the new.

when you put in the new, use your finger and go with flow along a nice edge.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you were wanting detailed advice. Scrape out all that old caulk and spray straight bleach everywhere to kill the mildew. Let everything dry good. Be sure to use caulk labeled for shower/tub use. Cut the tip off the caulk so the hole is the size of the bead of caulk for the seams you'll be covering. Have plenty of wet rags ready. Squeeze the caulk out in a continuous bead down each seam.You may want to practice this on a piece of cardboard or something 'til you get the hang of the caulk gun. It's not really hard. Then use a finger to smooth the caulk so it covers the seam evenly-this is where the rags come in! You can wear rubber gloves but still will need to wipe finger. Let this dry according to the instructions on the caulk(usually 24 hours) before using shower. With the prep time,letting everything get good and dry,you may want t o arrange to use a friend's shower if you don't have another because it could take like 2 days before you can have a shower! Good luck-it's really not hard.

Answer 3

You do not really need a caulking gun. There are squeeze tubes that work great. Be sure to buy "Tub and Tile" acrylic caulk. Clean the old caulk out good and dry the area with a rag (I also use duster to blow out the water). Cut the tip of the tube of caulk on an angle and have about 1/4" hole to squeeze the caulk out through. Squeeze and move the tube a a steady pace along the seam to be caulked. To smooth out the caulked seal you can spit on your finger and smooth the caulk with spit, or cut about 1/4" off the corner of an old useless credit card and use it as a trowel. Either way works good. I favor the credit card or any piece of plastic. Takes about 32 hours to set up & cure.

Answer 4

first remove all old caulk, then clean the area with a shower cleaner. Next let the area dry completely. finally take a dry lintfree towel to wipe area so it's free of any moisture and debris left behind. Caulk all areas with silacone or other approved caulks for wet areas.

Answer 5

you have good advice on removing and cleaning so i'll tell you about caulking guns. First buy a good one, that cheap stuff is worth what you paid for it. then cut the end of the tube at a slant just the size of the bead you want to put on. most tubes you will have to break a seal inside the plastic nozzle. i use a long nail. then sqeeze the handle until the clear tube is full and your'e ready to go. go along slow and squeeze the handle slowly as you go. when you have to let up on the handle to get a new bite, stop. if you mess up wet a butter knife and smooth it out. can't look any worse, right?

Answer 6

Be sure to use Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Caulking....acrylic caulking will fail before silicone and although acrylic is good for a lot of things, it is not completely waterproof like silicone. Use the methods, or a combination of methods described in the answers you received from your question, you'll do just fine.

Answer 7

Remove old caulk, apply new caulk to cracks. Wipe off excess with wet cloth. Using a caulking gun is not difficult.

Answer 8

Remove the bad caulk and redo all the seams.
If you cover the mildew it will bleed through the new caulk

Answer 9

get a scraper and scrape of the old
you can first spray it with a mold and mildew cleaner so it won't be so nasty
after you scrape it off wipe it good be sure area is dry and apply the new caulk they sell squeeze tubes to make it easier

Answer 10

you can buy caulk that comes in tubes rather than using a caulking gun, remove the old caulk with a sharp utility knife and or putty knife first.