Recaulk a tub in 5 easy steps (plus my trick for perfect lines)

I’m officially back in the swing of things after my vacays and podcast launch. So what better way to kick off another DIY project than to get up close and personal with the bathroom floor?

You may recall I’m embarking on a multi-phase master bathroom redo. Today I tackled recaulking the space between the tub and the floor. It was pretty gross.

When caulking begins to separate from a tub/shower, it’s important to put replacing it on the to-do list. Without a proper seal, water can leak into the cracks and cause damage to the walls and flooring beneath. The bottom of my tub was long overdue for some fresh caulk (and apparently a good scrubbing, too).

My 5-step recaulking method includes a trick to get perfect caulk lines every time and also keep the mess to a minimum. And beginner DIYers can easily tackle this project.

Note: My project highlights the space between the tub and floor. But the method should work just as easily for the space between the tub and shower, etc., if that’s your situation.

Step 1: Consider purchasing a caulk remover tool.

It makes scraping out the old caulk easier.

I dig the pointy end of my caulk remover tool under the old caulk and scrape it all out.

Step 2: Sweep up all bits of old caulk and sanitize the area.

You don’t want any old caulk left behind or it will create lumps in your new, beautiful caulk line.

I like to use a small amount of bleach to kill any potential mold or mildew.

Step 3: After the area is thoroughly dry, apply one strip of painter’s tape below where the new caulk will go and one strip above.

I leave about a 1/8-inch space between the two strips.

Step 4: Apply a bead of caulk in the space between the tape.

You can either use a caulk gun or a tube of caulk to accomplish this step. For smaller projects, I actually prefer the tube. If you’re working in an area exposed to water, be sure to buy caulk that is suitable for bathrooms.

Step 5: Remove any excess caulk, then take off the tape strips and admire your perfect caulk line!

I use the corner of a plastic spreader to remove excess caulk. This keeps my hands clean and creates a professional-looking, lump-free line.

Here’s my final result:

Do you have any caulking tips or tricks? I’d love for you to leave a comment and share them.

I’m linking this up to Fluster Buster, Love of Family & Home, Mad Skills Tutorial Monday and You’re Gonna Love It.