Caulking a Bathtub 101

Are you worried about the state of the caulk on your bathtub? Well I am here to give you some How to Caulk a Bathtub Tips! It is very important to have the seam between your bathtub and your bathroom wall very tightly sealed. The reasoning for this seal is to prevent water from seeping into the wall, which can cause great damage over time to your home. Let us look at the current state of the caulk around the bathtub: does it look old or cracked? Are there large chunks missing? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then it is time to re-caulk your bathtub!

This process is not a difficult one, but it does require attention to detail. The tools you will need before you get started are masking tape, a caulking gun, a tube of caulk, a sharp knife, and a disposable damp cloth. These items are not expensive and relatively easy to find. If you want high quality caulk material, however, you need to look for some with silicon in it. The addition of this ingredient does make the caulk more expensive but it is worth the investment because it prevents mildew from forming.

Once you have your tools, you are ready to go. The first step is to remove all of the old caulk completely and then clean everything with rubbing alcohol in order to remove every ounce of moisture. One quick tip: fill your bathtub 3/4 of the way full before you add the new caulk: the excess weight can make a difference and you do not want you new caulk to crack during the first week! Now you are ready for the caulk. Line two pieces of masking tape along the area where you will be caulking. Load the caulk gun and you are good to go.  Position the tip at the seam and, with one steady motion, move the gun along the seam slowly to make sure that it produces a uniform bead. Important tip: do not lift up the gun for the entire length of the tub and until you reach the corner. You do not want to miss a spot! Repeat this process for the other sides.

Smooth out the caulk with your fingers and make sure you wash your hands off immediately in order to prevent any caulk sticking to you. Remove the tape and you are all done! Let the caulk cure for 24 hours before using this built in or corner bathtub. Your tub will look as good as new in no time!