Learn How To Caulk Your Shower The Easy Way

So, I recently learned how to caulk my shower. Caulking a shower, or anything, isn’t anything I’ve done before. I’m not the handy type, though I’m trying to learn. And quite frankly the state of my shower was not great, so the caulking had to be done!

Learning To Caulk The Shower

Showers and bathtubs and other parts of the house will eventually have to be caulked again at some point. But if you’ve never done it before it can seem daunting and intimidating, but it really isn’t that bad, just time consuming.

I actually learned from a great tutorial and after some reading in the comments, other articles, and actually caulking my shower I thought I’d put together a little guide to help those who are also inexperienced but want to learn to be more handy.

So, this is just a comprehensive guide of all that information all put in one place. Credit definitely goes out to iScraper1.

Video: How To Caulk Your Shower

Supplies Needed To Caulk Your Shower

• Silicone or Latex Waterproof Caulk
• Caulk Gun
• Box Cutter
• Hot Water
• Paint Scraper
• Box Cutter
• Mold and Mildew Spray
• Scrub Brush
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Paper Towels

How To Caulk Your Shower- Step By Step

Step 1

As mentioned in the above video cut the caulk at the top and bottom.

Step 2

Pull the caulk away from the wall once you cut it loose.

Note:

If the caulk in your shower is like the one in mine and they just piled the stuff in deep crevices that probably needed to be filled with something else, you may need another tool to help you grab the edge of it. Just make sure you fill the hole properly.

Step 3

Once all the large pieces of caulk are pulled away this is where you will take your scraper and begin scraping the smaller thinner pieces away.

Step 4

Take your scrub brush and scrub away all the leftover pieces. This is a good time to use a mold and mildew product to make sure you get rid of all the leftover mold too. Don’t want the new caulk to mold.

Step 5

Use a paper towel to wipe away excess cleaner and pieces of leftover caulk. Probably don’t want that going down the drain.

Step 6

While you’re letting that dry use a Mr. Clean eraser to really clean the surrounding areas for any stuck on grime, lime, soap scum.

Step 7

Wipe everything you just scrubbed with a paper towel. I read really cleaning the area after scrubbing off the thin strips of caulk and cleaning up the mold really helps with getting the caulk right. Whether or not it’s true I don’t know. But a clean shower is a happy shower anyway.

Step 8

Let your shower dry completely.

Step 9

Cut your caulk open at the tip at a 45 degree angle.

Step 10

Place it in the gun and get ready!

Step 11

Start placing a bead of caulk across 1/4-1/2 the wall you’re working on (depending on size.)

Step 12

Then dip your finger in the hot water and smooth out the caulk.

Step 13

Repeat step 11 and 12 until you have caulked your shower.

Step 14

Allow the caulk to dry for 24-48 hours.

Notes:

If your caulk doesn’t seem to be curing in about an hour, it is probably gonna need a longer time than 24-48 hours. Especially if:

• You used too much caulk
• There was too much moisture
• The temperature if very hot or cold

I read that depending on those conditions above it can take 1-10 days to fully cure. However, if it doesn’t set, then you’re going to have to wipe it down, clean it, and try again.

My Experience Learning How To Caulk My Shower

I hate stand up showers…like with a passion passion. Seriously, I really don’t understand the appeal or why they are so popular. Hopefully I’m not the only one who struggles to shave my legs in them. Anyway, that aside, I also hate them because they’re hard to clean.

Moisture tends to stay in them even when you leave the door open. When moisture sets in an area that isn’t well ventilated things tend to get moldy and mildewy.

You see where this is going.

Top that with the cracked caulking when we moved into this house it was a recipe to disaster. It really wasn’t a disaster, but the caulking got moldy and I was grossed out and I didn’t like it. I mean… who would?

We rent a house and I didn’t want to bother the maintenance on something so trivial, so I did some research…found a video and Bam! I did it! I learned how to caulk the shower myself.

Won’t lie though, my husband ended up helping. I didn’t want him to have to do it. He works hard, so I don’t want him to have to work when he is at home. Plus, I wanted to impress him. However…while the tutorial was amazing…it wasn’t as easy as I thought.

So, my husband gave me some direction and he held the light because I was trying to do it one handed while the other hand held the flashlight on my phone. It wasn’t working out so well. Anyway it got done and it looks great, or I think so anyway!

P.S Ignore the stained shower floor. I have scrubbed and scrubbed and I can’t get it white. If any of you have any tips or tricks I’d love to hear them.

Things I learned While Caulking My Shower

Also, don’t be a goob like me and use a dull box cutter. That did not make cutting rubbery caulk easy at all.

And be careful, because in some spots the caulk will be thick and other places thin, so your box cutter may jump or come loose suddenly.

Stretch out if you’re gonna be in a tight space. I was bent all weird and let me tell you my back did not appreciate it.

If you’re doing this alone in a confined and not the greatest lit area…find a light source that doesn’t require you to hold it or an electric plug. It makes it harder and ruins the surprise for your husband when you suddenly have to ask him for help.

Home Projects Made Easy

Learning to do a home project can be daunting and intimidating. But it’s so satisfying to be able to do it and see how good the results are! Plus, these are skills more of us need to learn. While caulking may seem easy to some of you, to others like me, the first time you do it can be a little bit of a challenge. But it’s totally worth it in the end!

Do you have any tips of tricks for caulking? Did you try to caulk the shower yourself? How did it go?