How to re-caulk your bathtub!!! #mold, by Olivia Saad on YouTube. 1 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes plus 24 hours curin
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Cut along both sides of the old sealant with a utility knife, then scrape the leftovers out with a caulk removal tool. Remove the whole bead so no moldy silicone is left in the joint.
Wipe the joint with rubbing alcohol on a cloth and let it dry completely. New silicone will not stick to soap scum, grease or a damp surface.
Press masking tape along both edges of the joint, leaving only the gap you want to fill exposed. This keeps the bead neat and saves cleanup.
Load the tube into your caulking gun and cut the nozzle at a 45 degree angle, about 5mm across. Pierce the inner seal with the pin on the gun.
Run a steady bead along the joint, pushing the gun forward rather than pulling it. Keep the nozzle touching the surface so the silicone fills the gap.
Smooth the bead in one continuous pass with a wet finger or a silicone tool dipped in soapy water. Do not go back over it once a skin starts to form.
Peel the masking tape off straight away while the silicone is still wet, pulling it back at a low angle away from the bead.
Leave the sealant to cure for at least 24 hours before running water, showering or bathing. Check the tube for the maker's exact curing time.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep a bowl of soapy water beside you so your smoothing finger stays wet and the silicone does not drag.
Never caulk over old silicone. The new bead will peel off within weeks and trap water underneath.
Run a thin bead rather than a thick one, since a fat bead skins over and stays soft inside.
If mold keeps returning in the same spot, find the water source or the joint behind the tiles instead of caulking again.
Questions
How long before I can use the shower?
Wait at least 24 hours, and longer if the room is cold or humid. A bead that looks dry on top can still be soft underneath.
Do I have to remove every bit of the old silicone?
Yes. Fresh silicone only bonds to a clean, dry surface, so any leftover bead or residue will cause peeling.
Which silicone should I buy?
Choose a bathroom or sanitary silicone labelled mold resistant and suitable for wet areas. Clear or white both work, depending on your tub and tiles.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
