When you see those little cracks along with your caulking, it’s time to know how to recaulk a bathtub. With a few tools and some elbow grease, those cracks will be gone, and your bathtub will look good as new.
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How to Recaulk a Bathtub | An Easy Step-by-Step Guide
What You Need:
1. Remove the Old Caulking
Before getting started, remove all the old caulking with a sharp tool like a putty knife. This allows the new caulking to stick properly and removes any mold or mildew hanging around.
Note: Make sure to test your knife at a small, inconspicuous area to ensure you don’t scratch your bathtub.
2. Clean and Dry the Surface Thoroughly
After scraping off your old caulking, clean off any excess with a cloth rag and some white vinegar. Make sure to completely dry the area before doing any further work to prevent new mold from sprouting on the surface.
3. Tape Around the Caulking Area
Stick some painter’s tape on either side of the spot you want to recaulk. This keeps your work nice and tidy and makes cleaning up afterward a breeze.
It’s better to err on the side of having too much tape than having too little.
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4. Trim off the End of the Caulking Material
Using a utility knife, trim the end of the caulk at a 45-degree angle. Make sure the opening is of the same size as the area you’re about to recaulk.
5. Load the Gun and Start Recaulking
Load up your caulking gun and apply even pressure as you move along the seam. Moving too slow will cause the caulk to pool into little blobs while going too fast can thin out or even break the caulk at the middle of the seam.
6. Smooth the Edges
Use a wet finger or cloth to remove any excess caulking. You will want to have an even, concave surface afterward.
7. Remove the Tape and Clean Up
You can then peel off the tape and clean up any excess caulk with your finger. Let the tub sit overnight before using it so ensure that the caulk has completely cured.
A neatly caulked bathtub should look like this:
Watch this video from LRN2DIY for caulking tips for a great looking bathroom:
Congratulations, you have just learned how to recaulk a bathtub! Not only should your tub look much cleaner than before, but it also helps keep the mold at bay before it turns into an even bigger problem.
Have you tried recaulking your bathtub? Share your experiences in the comments section below!
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