How to Caulk a Shower

Is peeling or discolored caulk funking up your bathroom vibe? Let's face it, damaged and discolored shower caulk doesn't exactly scream relaxing spa. Whether you're repairing baseboards, bathtubs, or window trim, refreshing caulk is inevitable part of the homeowner experience.

We are in the home stretch of the latest bathroom remodel! I thought I would take a moment to show you the best way to caulk a shower and when you should so you can get perfect results. I have been using this method for decades, so I know how good it works long term.

Invest in a Good Caulk Gun

Invest in a good caulk gun! If you take nothing else away from this post, remember this tip. Cheap caulk guns continue to drip long after you’ve let go of the trigger, causing wasted product (and money).

Your hands aren't going to be happy using a cheap model or a disposable squeeze tube. A high-quality caulk gun typically only costs a few more dollars and is a much better investment. I particularly love this model because:

• It’s a dripless model so no caulk is wasted.
• There’s a pin attached to conveniently pierce through the foil barrier inside the tube.
• A trigger spring allows for even caulk distribution.

Pro tip: Try a high thrust caulk gun for viscous materials such as sanded caulk or adhesive or for EXTRA large jobs.

How To Remove Old Caulk

As a general rule of thumb, shower caulk will need to be replaced every five years. That number can fluctuate based on frequency of use, bathroom ventilation, and other variables.

The first step in replacing shower caulk is to remove ALL of the old caulk. I don’t recommend attempting to apply a new layer of caulk over an existing one.

Here are tools I recommend for simplifying the process:

• When caulking a flat surface, I recommend this caulk remover tool to dig and peel the caulk out.
• I use a plastic putty knife to scrape bits from flat walls and it won't gouge.
• Need to get in deeper? Use needle nose pliers like these to pull out any bits stuck in crevices.
• Use a window scraper to remove tiny bits of caulk residue from flat surfaces such as tile.

Expert Tips from Years of Experience

1. Make sure your surface is completely dry. I try my best to clean an area thoroughly and allow it to air dry overnight. On some surfaces, you can clean with denatured alcohol and allow it to evaporate about 10 minutes.
2. Cut the tube at a 30 to 45 degree angle. I use bone shears to make this easier. You want the angle of the tip to sit flush as you caulk along the wall.
3. Don't overcut the tube. I find it best to cut the tip smaller than the width of my line. Caulk will spread out over the taped line. Too wide creates a mess.
4. Don't press a curve into the caulk. When you run your finger over the caulk, you don't want to create any areas where water will pool.
5. Use waterproof, crack resistant caulk made for water prone areas. Most bathroom caulks today are fairly shrink and crack resistant. That's more of a problem with paintable and trim caulk.

Caulking Video Demonstration

For step-by-step instructions, jump to the how-to card below. Prefer a visual? I’ve got you covered! Click below to watch the video and see my technique in action. This is from a bathtub, but the process is essentially the same.