Caulking is highly essential for every home or building especially in areas like the bathroom and kitchen where water can easily seep into the interior. If you have already previously caulked your home but it is looking a bit aged, here is how you can recaulk a bathroom to give it a fresh, new look.
Bathroom Caulking
For those of you who have never caulked any area around your house before, it is that white rubbery compound that lines the edges of sinks, bathtubs, and kitchen counters to seal off seams and joints. Caulk prevents water from flowing down into gaps and cracks where you do not have a clear sight of. This water may eventually cause mold to grow and even lead to other structural damage. Caulk is often overlooked but it should not be.
Here is what you will need:
- Utility knife
- Caulk removal tool
- Caulking gun
- Scraper in either plastic or metal
- Silicone caulk
- Painter’s tape
- Damp sponge or damp rag
- Vacuum cleaner
You will likely need to use a combination of the utility knife, caulk removal tool, and scraper to remove the old caulk. However, by only using one of these tools alone may be sufficient for you depending on the technique you use. It is also recommended to keep the room well-ventilated as silicone caulk may have an odor that can seem unpleasant to you.
Step 1: Removing Old Caulk
Take your utility knife and cut into the old caulk to break it up so you can pick up the fragments with other tools. Take the caulk removal tool and dig into it further and you should be able to remove most of the caulk. For caulk that has gotten stuck to any of the surface, scrape it off with a scraper. Pull out any loose pieces of caulk with your hands.
Step 2: Cleaning the Area
Removing old caulk involves a lot of bits and pieces. Before applying new caulk, sweep or vacuum any debris. Then, take a wet sponge or wet cloth to wipe clean the area. Wait for the area to dry up before applying the new caulk.
Step 3: Applying Caulk
Once the area is clean, take your painter’s tape and stick it onto the surfaces that are adjacent to the area you want to caulk. Go roughly 1/4 inch from the joint or slightly wider. Grab the caulk tube and cut off the applicator at a 45 degree angle. Grab your caulking gun and extend out the metal piercer. This is to pierce through the caulk tube. Remove the piercer and place the caulk tube into the gun, rear first. Squeeze the trigger in an alternate motion until you feel some pressure and can see some caulk starting to come out. Place the tip of the caulk tube and apply gentle pressure continuously until you fill up all the cracks. Make use of your finger to smoothen out the caulk and wipe off any excess with the damp cloth. This will also push the caulk into the crevices.