How to Apply Caulk

Caulk is the white or clear rubbery sealant most commonly found where the seam of your bathtub or shower edge meets the walls of your bathroom. Designed to close the gap between the two with a waterproof barrier, it’s a very important component of keeping your tub and bathroom clean and dry. If caulk cracks or peels, a space opens up for water to flow against the wall down where it can’t be reached, forming mold, mildew, or worse. Fixing problems like this can be a nightmare, which is why it’s worth it to keep an eye on your caulk and learn how to caulk a shower so you’ll always be prepared to repair minor caulk shower damage. Before attempting to learn how to caulk a shower, be sure a professional, such as those at Dr. Pipe drain and plumbing, have checked your shower plumbing for leaks so your job isn’t in vain!

Before you begin to apply caulk shower side, choose your variety carefully. Silicone is the most expensive choice, but it’s also the best because it has built-in mildew control that will increase the longevity of your caulking job. The surface you are caulking should be stripped of all existing caulk, cleaned and dried before applying the new caulk. Block out the area you want to caulk by firmly applying two strips of masking or painter’s tape to either side of the small inch or so gap where the caulk will go. Then, using your caulk gun and opened tube of caulk, squeeze a steady, even line of caulk along this space, smoothing with your finger as you go along. Then, strip away the tape before the caulk begins to set and you’ll have nice, clean lines. After applying, follow the directions for not exposing the caulk to water – usually 24 to 36 hours.

Know your equipment! Caulk is usually sold in tubes that work the way a “”push up pop”” ice cream treat does – a disc in the bottom is pushed up through the tube via an instrument called a caulk gun, ensuring the caulk shower ready via an even flow, or “”bead”” in plumber lingo. A caulk gun allows the tube to snap into a metal frame of a gun, which pushes the disc through the tube as the trigger is depressed. To use this pair when learning how to caulk a shower, snip a small piece off the tip of the caulk tube – it should be an opening large enough to make the caulk flow without squeezing too hard, but not so big the caulk flows out freely.