How to Caulk a Shower or Tub

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Project Overview

Working Time : 2.5 hoursTotal Time : 26.5 hoursSkill Level : BeginnerEstimated Cost : $ 50

Before You Begin

Some DIYers opt to weardisposable gloveswhen recaulking a rain shower or bathtub to save themselves the trouble of cleaning the sticky clobber off of their hands after the occupation is done . To lie the staring astragal and avoidcommon caulking mistakes , go for consistent pressure level at a steady pace , and beware that the gaps you seal off should be no cryptic than a half inch and no across-the-board than a quarter column inch .

Step 1: Choose the best caulk for your needs.

A quality caulking Book of Job start with select a quality product . The two independent type of shower caulking are silicone caulking and latex caulk . While silicone shape the stronger seal , latex is easier to work with , especially if you ’re a beginner . Many DIYers compromise by take a sealant likeDAP Kwik Seal Plus , which is the best of both worlds because it has both silicone polymer and latex in its normal .

Before purchase caulk for your project , dual - check out the label to verify that the product has been designated for use in kitchens and baths . exonerated exhibitor caulk hold particular inhibitor that protect against mold and mildew , a quality that you sure as shooting need when sealing atile shower .

Step 2: Remove any old caulk and clean the work area.

Before you utilise latex paint or silicone sealant to the exhibitor , be certain to remove any caulk that ’s already there , otherwise your sweet bead wo n’t bond well . Caulking over old caulkisn’t usually advised — you just wo n’t get optimal results if you do so .

Using autility knifeor oscillating tool , abbreviate through the strips of old caulk in every crack you plan to recaulk . Scrape off as much as possible , and then implement a specialised remover to any stubborn spots . If you discover any mold in your path , eradicate it with a commercial dry cleaner or a homemade answer of one part bleach to two parts water system . After youremove the honest-to-goodness caulk , wipe down the sphere and admit it to dry thoroughly before moving on ; caulking wo n’t cohere to a lactating open .

Step 3:Mask the gap.

Painter ’s tapemakes a great guide to ensure a clean bead . Use long funnies of tape to dissemble off the Earth’s surface on either side of the credit line where you ’ll be applying caulking , whether that ’s along the bulwark , shower threshold , or tub .

Step 4: Load the caulking gun and cut the tube tip.

While you could apply caulk to a rain shower by simply squeezing it out of the subway system , it ’s best to invest in a quality caulking gun . Using a calk gun will permit you considerably handle the flow of the caulk , and will produce more precise results . Since these are relatively straightforward tools , even the industriousness ’s best model typically do n’t cost much . Newborn caulking triggerman , for example , are quality , low-cost tools that retail for less than $ 20 or $ 30 .

With any caulk accelerator deserving its salt , however , you get a stalwart plunging chemical mechanism that allows for accurate and even dispersion of bead , and you get a pressure discharge that let you quickly pause or cease app . Whenloading the caulk gas pedal , just remember to not cut off too much of the tip from the caulk tube . A wide possibility will yield a compact drop , which may lead to sloppy answer . Cut the steer just above the indentation point that is normally marked on the tube .

Step 5: Caulk the shower or tub joint.

To begin caulking the rain shower , put on pressure to the caulking gun or tube and either tear the hitman off from your start degree or , hold the gun at a 90 - level slant , push the caulking in a forward-moving motion . There is no right or incorrect technique , so choose the approach that works well for you and proceed consequently .

Step 6: Tool the joint.

Once the disruption is full of lavatory caulk , wet your finger and wipe it along the telephone line to transfer the excess caulk and create a smooth , rounded beading ( a unconscious process also experience as tooling ) .

Step 7: Remove the painter’s tape.

Peel off thepainter ’s tapewhile the caulk is still besotted , and then continue on to the next section to be caulk . Repeat step 5 and 6 until every gap has been caulked .

Step 7: Allow the caulk to cure.

When you ’re done , leave the caulking to dryand cure for at least 24 hour before returning to even consumption of the shower . A thoroughgoing caulk job should last at least a year , which mean you have about 364 more opportunities to belt out your favorite show tunes while you bathe before you ’ll have to repeat the cognitive process and caulk the shower bath again .

Final Thoughts

caulk the bathroom is a necessary part of a accomplished place maintenance bit ; it ’s important to know how to apply caulk to a shower properly . The above step will help novice and expert DIY - ers alike make a fresh , watertight seal in their shower or bathtub . Throughout the cognitive operation , DIYers alike should keep theessentials of caulkingin mind : Ensure you have the right sealant and tools on hand , only use caulk to clean , caulk - free gaps , and let the caulk fully cure before exposing it to moisture .

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Woman carefully caulks the gap between her tub and tile wall using a caulking gun.