Caulk a Shower in 6 Easy Steps

Homeownership comes with responsibilities. Over time, many parts of your home will need repairs, especially the bathroom. Even the cleanest shower needs an occasional refresh.

The buildup of gunk of mold under the caulk sealant can take away from the true luxury of your bathroom. The good news is all of this “ick” can easily be removed and replaced with new caulking.

Like many bathroom repairs, caulking your shower is a fairly simple do-it-yourself process that can be done in just one afternoon. Here is our favorite way to caulk a shower.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin the caulking process, you will need some tools and materials to do the job properly. For this project you will need:

• Silicone/latex bathroom caulk
• Caulking gun
• Utility knife
• Painter’s tape
• Mold cleaner and cleaning supplies

Step 1: Choose the Correct Caulk

When choosing the caulk for your shower, you’re faced with a hard decision. Silicone or latex? Silicone provides a better seal, but latex is easier to work with.

Fortunately for you, there is a caulk that combines the two. However, if you can only find caulk with either silicone or latex, that also works just fine.

Be sure to confirm the caulk is designated for use in kitchens and bathrooms. These formulas have special inhibitors to prevent mold and mildew from developing.

Step 2: Remove Old Caulk

Next, you’ll need to remove the old caulk. Use a utility knife to cut through the current caulk resting along the walls of the shower.

Use your knife to scrape along the shower seams and the caulk will pull up so you can easily remove it. For any remaining caulk, use a caulk remover and a razor blade to scrape the shower clean.

Step 3: Clean All the Mold

Before you can even think of adding new caulk, you need to clean everything. No matter how many times you clean a shower, there is still the potential for mold growth.

To remove mold, treat it with a proper mold-killing solution. These cleaning products can be found at any local hardware store. Once applied, scrub the grout thoroughly and rinse until all mold is gone. Once the area is dry, wipe the area with mineral spirits to provide a clean slate for the new caulk.

Step 4: Apply Painter’s Tape

Prior to applying the new caulk, apply painter’s tape to the area to ensure accuracy. Painter’s tape is important to mask the gaps and an outline of where you will apply the caulk. It’s also easy to remove once you are finished. Start by finding the largest gap between your wall and the shower, then apply tape.

Step 5: Start Caulking

Now that you’ve completed all the prep work, the actual process of caulking is simple. To apply, hold the caulking gun at a 90-degree angle to the gap.

Press slowly, pushing out a small bead of caulk and continue to apply gentle pressure as you glide along the shower surface. Follow along the area until complete.

Step 6: Smooth the Caulk

Finally, wipe along the caulk lines with a damp cloth to smooth everything over. Remove the painter’s tape starting at the corners — while the caulk is still wet — to reveal a straight line of fresh caulk.

It is important to allow the shower sit for at least 24 hours so it can dry and set properly.

The Big Reveal

After a full 24 hours of letting the caulk dry, lightly touch the area to ensure it’s dry. If it’s sticky to the touch, allow extra drying time.

Water can ruin caulking that hasn’t properly set, so make sure it’s fully dried before you use the shower. Bathroom repairs like this will again reveal a beautiful, good-as-new shower or bath ready for use.

Since 1952, the ASI team has been providing the San Diego area with their Certified White Glove home repair services. Click here to schedule an appointment with our plumbing department.