If you live in an older home or plan to stay in your house for longer than five years, you’ll probably need to recaulk your bathroom at some point. However, a simple DIY job can quickly become a disaster if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Read on to learn how to avoid common mistakes and get expert tips for caulking your bathroom like a pro.

DO #1: Cut the Tube of Caulk the Right Length

To get the perfect bead of caulk, start by cutting a small hole in the tip of the tube. Squeeze a small amount of caulk out and check to see if the width is what you want. If not, cut more off the tip of the tube and try again. Remember, it’s always better to start small and cut more off if needed, rather than trying to put caulking back into the tube once it’s been cut.

DO #2: Prepare Your Work Area before Caulking the Bathroom

Painter’s tape is useful for sectioning off the areas you want to caulk so that you don’t get any caulk on the surrounding surfaces. Apply long strips of tape to protect the areas around your wall, shower, or tub, then apply your bead of caulk. Remember that caulk will not stick to a wet surface, so ensure the area is clean and dry before you start.

To prevent your newly-caulked tub from pulling away from the wall or tiles, open the door to the room to allow any excess moisture to escape. Fill the tub with room temperature water and leave it full for the entire curing period, ensuring that the water does not touch the caulk.

DO #3: Choose the Best Caulk for the Bathroom

Many different caulking types are available at your local home improvement store. You will want to choose a product specifically labelled as waterproof and safe from bacteria, mould, and mildew for bathroom use. Caulks made with silicone or latex are best for bathroom projects. Silicone formulas create a stronger seal against moisture, but latex is usually easier to work with. A caulk that combines silicone and latex to create a siliconised latex caulk are easy to work with and creates a strong seal.

DON’T #1: Apply New Caulking Over Old Caulk

If your old caulking is cracked, adding new caulking on top is tempting. But this is a bad idea. The new caulking won’t stick well and will develop cracks and leaks, leaving your bathroom vulnerable to water damage. Remove the old caulking with a caulk remover, such as Goo Gone Caulk Remover, and a putty knife.

DON’T #2: Ignore Using a Quality Caulk Gun

A caulk gun may not be necessary for every tube of caulk, but it makes the process much easier and leads to better results. A caulk gun will have a plunger to push the caulk out of the tube and a thumb pressure release to quickly stop the caulking flow. These tools are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores.

Conclusion

Caulking your bathroom is a straightforward job made easier by using painter’s tape, a caulk gun, and following a few simple rules for application. These tips will help you create a waterproof seal around your bathroom and keep moisture out, preventing mould and mildew from forming and further damage.

Quality Seal Australia provides high-quality silicone and caulking services to the building industry in Brisbane and Gold Coast. We take pride in our work and value our relationships with our clients. Our team is professionally trained, and each awesome team member believes strongly in our values. If you need caulking services in Brisbane, contact us now!