How to Re-Caulk a Bathtub

Few weeks ago, I had to re-caulk our bathtub due to some spots of mold along the caulk line. I believe that our guest bathroom was redone prior to moving in, at least that’s what it looks like to me! Some of the caulking isn’t finished nicely, but that’s my opinion! Here is How to Re-Caulk a Bathtub.

How to Re-Caulk a Bathtub

So, it was time to rip everything out, and do it right.

Ok, I know this looks bad close up. That’s why I had to show you how to do it right so you won’t end up with a caulk like mine.

Step by step:

Remove all the old caulk with a utility knife
Spray some Lift-Off Caulk/Silicon remover onto the entire area you scraped off the old caulk.
Let it soak for few minutes, and scrape it off with the knife again. Clean with a damp rag while wearing gloves.
Scrub the area with a scotch pad and some bleach or comet powder.
I used a lint-free rag to wipe down the area, and then let it dry out overnight. You can also use a hair-dryer to speed up the process.

Fill the tub three quarters of the way full of water to allow the tub to sag while the silicone dries for 24 hours. Otherwise, the tub will sag when you get in and pull on the seam causing possible long-term cracking and breaking.
Placed the tape about 1/8″ on either side of the seam. It helps to achieve a straight and smooth line, and makes the clean-up faster and easier.

Apply steady pressure to your tube gun as you move along the tub seam.
As soon as the seams are filled, smooth the caulk with a wet fingertip. Or for a tidier job, use the Caulk-Rite tool, a small rubber spatula set in a durable handle. It creates a stunning bead with no mess or edge marks.