Avoid Replacing Your Bathtub by Recaulking

Is your bathtub looking like it's seen better days? In these hard economic times, the last thing you want to have to spend money on is a whole new tub. Take a good look at your bathtub and discern: do you really need a new tub or can you solve the problem by simply recaulking it?

Step 1. Remove Caulking
Necessary Supplies:
Utility Knife or Box Cutter (and extra blades)
Flat chisel
Vacuum Cleaner

First things first, get into some work clothes before beginning. Use the box cutter to cut the old caulking, taking care to cut away from the wall tile and tub. After you have loosened the caulking, use the flat chisel to pry it off. Use the vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up the excess bits.

Step 2. Preparing to Caulk
Necessary Supplies:
Painter's Tape
Plastic bag
Caulk For Bathtubs
Caulk Gun

Take your painter's tape and place two strips lining out where you want to caulk. Push the tape down carefully. You will use this tape as a guide to help you make nice, straight lines by caulking in the space between the tape. Load your caulk gun and get ready to go.

Step 3. Caulking
Necessary Supplies
Water
Caulk for Bathtubs
Caulk gun

While you work be sure to keep healthy ventilation running through the bathroom. Take your caulk gun and squeeze as straight a line as you can manage. Using some water, get your finger wet and run your finger over the caulking to smooth any bumps and imperfections. Remove your tape and continue. If you have problems with your caulking and try to fix them by putting more and more caulking on your lines, you will have unsightly, thick lines that will be wider than the others. So take it easy and go slowly. There's no rush!

Depending on what type of caulking you use (pay careful attention to the directions on your choice of caulking), it will likely cure and harden within the next 24 hours and you will able to use your shower in no time!

Sources:

Monte Burch, Bathroom Redo
Mandi Cresswell, How to Caulk - How Not to Caulk, Blogspot.com