How To Fix a Cracked Caulk in Your Bathroom

It is common to have a cracked caulk in your bathroom. Many times, it is not complicated to fix a cracked caulk and you can do it yourself with minimal equipment and in little time. This will save you time and money and will give you a sense of accomplishment. Learning how to do something new is also a good idea especially if you do it on a regular basis.

Of course, there are several aspects to fixing caulk that you should understand before you begin the project. The last thing you want to do is make a problem much worse than it was to begin with, and then have to spend a lot of money on it. In some cases, some people can end up hurting themselves. The key is identifying the cracks you can fix on your own, and the ones where you definitely need a professional to handle it. They have the skill and the right products to fix a complicated caulk deformity such that it will not arise again. If the crack is not that serious, you can embark on fixing it yourself without much of a hassle. Some of the things you need to understand include:    

Do not Let it Stay Unfixed for Long

When caulk in the bathroom stays for long without being fixed, it becomes a bigger problem faster than you can imagine. One of the major problems is the growth of mold and mildew within the cracks of the caulk, which could affect your health in the long term. Both of these produce spores that you can inhale and contract respiratory illnesses. This is because the caulk crack acts as a base for the mold and mildew to grow, while the moisture in the bathroom is conducive to faster growth as well.

The gaps in the caulk will allow water to seep deeper into the structure of your bathroom, causing rot and in many cases structural damage. With time, both of these problems become increasingly expensive to fix, and reduce the resale value of your home. When caught early, it will take a relatively brief time to fix compared to the amount of time you would need to fix the complications arising from letting the crack sit for long.

You should have the correct mindset before trying to fix this type of caulk before you begin. These include the fact that it may take you some time to fix it depending on the size of the crack, and that you will need to buy some supplies to do it correctly. Bathroom caulk cracks because of using the wrong kind of caulk, application of new caulk over older caulk, and when the house is settling. Keep this in mind when fixing a caulk crack.

Do not Use Grout and Caulk in the Same Place

Grout is based on cement while caulk is waterproof and meant for bathroom use. Grout is used to fix tiles in place, so you should not use it to fix bathroom caulk cracks at all. Caulk is flexible to accommodate the needs of a bathroom, while grout is not.

Use the Right Type of Caulk

Shop for caulk that is ideal at for bathroom use, rather than drywall or other applications. Bathroom caulk usually has a 100% silicone sealant.