Proper Technique to Caulk a Shower
Is the caulk that surrounds you shower or bath tub turning a shade of yellow? If it is then the caulk may be ready to crack. Neither of these signs would be a good thing. Water might be seeping through the foundation and that could cause a lot of damage over time. Anyone wishing to avoid such a problem should look into replacing the problematic caulk.
For those wondering if this will be difficult, the answer is no. As long as there are no major plumbing or home improvement work required, you probably can get things done with little issue. Here is how it all works.
The common first steps require pulling, scraping, cutting, and removing needless caulk in order to replace it. Don’t make the common error of just putting more caulk on top of the old damaged caulk. This won’t last a week and it will fall apart. You must remove all the poor quality caulk and put new caulk in its place.
Prior to actually replacing the caulk, you need to totally clean your floor in a serious manner. The floor, the caulk, and the surface will need to be totally and thoroughly cleaned. All of this is necessary because you must prevent the dirt from acting as a buffer between the caulk and any open pores. Dirt will totally prevent the caulk’s ability to bind proper which then creates more potential for leaks.
Once an area is completely and totally cleaned, you can take the steps to wipe it dry. Don’t look to add caulk when you have a wet surface because this creates issues with the binding. Let is air dry for a half and hour and then add more caulk.
As the caulk is added to the surface are it must always be done so in an effective manner. Be very careful when you squeeze out the caulk. Employ a decent caulking gun or a tube that is reliable. Both have their benefits. Always be sure the caulk comes out evenly and smoothly. Avoid missing spots.
Once the caulk has been poured on the surface, lightly press in down with a plastic caulking knife. Be sure there are no missed areas. You may wish to let the caulk dry for a half hour and then return to continue with the pressing. It will take the caulk about eight full hours to completely dry. Pressing down on the caulk prior to it being completely dry will aid in eliminating missed spots or creating holes.
Do not enter the bathroom until the caulk has become totally dry. That way you totally avoid any accidents that would undermine the job you are doing. Redoing the caulk work due to errors would be a disaster.
By day Edsel is a well regarded home remodeler and specializes in Houston countertops. She occasionally likes to dabble in SEO and indexing links.

Author: Edsel Bocco
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