Shower Caulk: Facelift for bathrooms

Worn-out looking showers are in the past thanks to shower caulk. Learn how useful this product is when it comes to your bathroom renovation projects, both big and small. Give your showers the face-lift they deserve!

Are you unhappy with the look and feel of your shower? Bathrooms take a beating over time, which can leave them looking old and worn. Before you decide that a total gut job is the only solution, you may want to consider shower caulk and how it can transform the look of the bathroom. If you’re new to using shower caulk and aren’t quite sure what it is or what it does, then we’ve got you covered. This product can perform key functions in your home, not just the bathroom.

The caulking is the line you see between the tiles in your shower, bathroom backsplash, and the seams along your shower walls. It is meant to create a waterproof seam so that you don't end up with leaks. While it looks great at first, over time a poor-quality sealant can start to crack, peel, break away, and look downright grungy. At this point, it is more than just an aesthetic problem; there is also a risk that you could end up with water damage if the sealant is no longer intact.

Applying fresh shower caulk isn’t reserved for professionals. Anyone with a little patience and time can apply it. Once you start to get the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s a job that you can easily tackle yourself.

As for the tools you’ll need for the job, not much is required. The following are advisable:

• razor scraper, five-in-one painter's tool, or utility knife to remove old caulking
  
• soft sponge to clean the surface after the old caulking has been removed
  
• cleaning solvent if a shower silicone sealant was used
  
• clean towel to dry the surface after
  
• painter's tape to keep the tiles surrounding the seam clean
  
• quality shower caulk

Two common types of shower caulk to choose from are silicone and acrylic.

Silicone typically works best on surfaces that are slippery and non-porous. This includes such materials as metal, ceramic tiles, and glass. On the other hand, acrylic shower caulk is ideal for porous materials which aren't slippery. Examples can include the wood trim that surrounds a bathtub or shower and stone tiles. If your bathroom possesses both types of material, you’re going to need a combination of the two caulking options.

These simple hints can help make short work of the renovation project and will ensure you get professional-looking results.

• Make sure you do a thorough job removing the old shower caulking. If there is anything left over, it may impact the results.
• Some products that can simply be applied over the old sealant. For small sections, try LePage Re-New for a flexible and waterproof seal that doesn’t require the removal of the existing caulk!
  
• Rather than just doing a small patch job, you may want to re-caulk the entire shower to ensure colour continuity.
  
• Make sure you have selected the right shower caulk for the material you will be working with.
  
• Make sure the silicone shower caulk you are using is a high-quality, water-resistant product.
• Have all your tools and materials within reach before starting the job.