How to Caulk a Bathtub

There are a few different reasons why you would need to caulk a bathtub from installing a new unit to having to replace the old unit. There could be mildew and mold buildup that you can’t remove or it could be separating from the wall or becoming discolored. Whatever the reason there are times you will need to caulk a bathtub and as we all know the easiest way to do this is to hire someone else to handle the situation, but if that isn’t feasible here are a few steps to help you with your endeavor.

If you are installing a new unit, then caulking is easy. You will need to go to a hardware store and buy caulking and a caulk gun, but you need to ensure that you buy caulk that is specific for bathtubs because it needs to be waterproof. If you aren’t sure of the product you need then talk to one of the people at the hardware store and they will be able to assist you. The local hardware store might also offer classes in how to caulk and looking into this could make the job easier for you.

If you aren’t replacing the unit in your bathroom or installing a new unit then you will need to take care of the caulk currently there before replacing it. You will need to wear rubber gloves especially if you are removing moldy or mildewed caulk. If it is in this condition then you might also want to wear a mask so that you don’t inhale any of the mold or mildew. If the caulking has started to pull up you can start pulling it up, but if it hasn’t then you can use a razor blade to help you remove it from the bathtub. Once you have removed it and thrown it away, you might want to clean your bathtub before you caulk it to ensure that there isn’t any dust or grime where you are going to put the new caulk. This will help make the new caulking not become discolored.

You are now home with your caulk and caulking gun but don’t have any idea what to do next. You load the caulk into the caulking gun and you can follow the directions on the bottle of caulking. Once you have opened the caulk then with a steady hand place an even bead around the tub replacing where the old caulk was located. Make sure you have gotten a good layer around the tub to ensure it is waterproof so that you don’t have any leaking which could cause dry rot. Let the caulk dry per the directions on the container which is normally at least 24 hours. Then you may enjoy your tub to your heart’s content.