I recently moved into a unit where the shower caulk was moldy. After asking my landlord to fix it, she just slapped some caulk over the mold. Eventually, that started to peel off, so I decided to remove all the existing caulk and redo it myself. I watched videos and got advice from hardware store workers, but my results ended up being a bit messy. Now I'm worried that I might have done something wrong. I've posted some pictures and would like to know if there's anything majorly wrong with my new caulking job. It's a bit messy, and while I'm okay with redoing it if necessary, I'd prefer not to have to!
3 Answers
Honestly, it looks fine! If you decide to redo it, just make sure your finger is really wet when smoothing it out. It’s all about finding the right balance between using too much and too little caulk. With some practice, you'll get the hang of it!
It’s a bit messy, but if you cleaned and dried the surface well after removing the old caulk, you should be good! Next time, I’d definitely push for the landlord to redo it—with documentation proving that new silicone won’t stick to the old stuff.
Your caulking looks okay overall, but here are some tips for next time to make it even better: After taking off the old caulk, clean the area with isopropyl alcohol to ensure nothing's left behind. Use painter's tape on either side of where you're caulking to keep the lines straight. When applying the caulk, go for a consistent bead and keep your finger wet when smoothing it out—don’t let it get too chunky! Wipe off any excess before the caulk dries and peel the tape while it’s still wet for the best results.
This is really helpful. Thank you for being so detailed - I appreciate that!
Thank you! I’ve heard about keeping my finger wet, but I used a tool my buddy gave me instead. He mentioned I might have used too much caulk.