Caulking a bathtub does not have to be difficult. It can be done neatly and easily with these tips, instructions and list of materials.
No matter why it has to be replaced, ugly from mildew or chewed up from the pet dog it has to be done and you can do it yourself! Following is a list of items needed:
Tub caulking
Putty knife
Screwdriver (flat edge)
Utility knife
Cleaning solvent
Rags
The first thing you need to do is remove the old caulk. Be careful removing the old caulk so as to not damage the porcelain tub or the tiling around the tub. Once you have removed all the old caulk clean the area and let it dry thoroughly. Once it is dry it is time to start caulking.
Now there are a couple varieties of caulking available and it all depends upon your level of skill as to which one you use. Personally I prefer the caulking that comes in the tubes to the roll caulking that you peel off and stick. No matter which type you use, be patient, be cautious, and be wise. Cleanup can be very difficult if you smear the caulking in areas you didn't want. So a word of advice is to take your time, be neat, and make sure there will be no interruptions.
If you have never caulked before a little practice drawing a bead would be helpful. You can do this by taking a couple pieces of wood and laying one on the other with an overlap. Secure the two pieces with a nail before beginning your practice. Don't worry if it's a little messy to begin with. The important thing is to make sure your bead overlaps both sides, which will give you a tight seal. Practice using the putty knife to clear away any smears or excess caulking above the size of the bead you desire. Once you begin applying to your tub you want to make sure you know what you are doing.
Tubes of caulking have markings on the tips for different size openings, which will give you a different sized bead. You can also buy tubes that do not need to be used in a caulking gun. Trim away the size you want and use a nail to puncture the seal of the tube. Put the tube of caulking into the caulking gun if you are using one other wise you will squeeze the tube by hand. Squeeze the trigger or tube gently to just start the flow of caulk. Now you will place the tip of the tube in the corner where the two walls meet and steadily apply pressure to the tub surface and draw the bead towards you until you reach the other wall. Move slowly and try to not stop before finishing one wall.
Once finished with the first wall check for excess caulk and carefully use the putty scraper to remove the excess. Next take a damp cloth and very carefully begin removing any caulking that is not where it should be. Once it dries it will be very difficult to remove.
Now go to your next wall and repeat the process until the area is finished. If any area looks unfinished or ragged you can gently use a wet finger to smooth the area but if you do this you will have to do it to the whole project so it will be uniform in appearance. Let the caulking dry for at least 24 hours before using the tub.
