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Freshly added caulk to a bathtub surround.
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5 from 6 votes

How To Caulk a Shower or Bathtub Surround

Learn how to Caulk a Bathtub or shower surround like a professional. Make your spa look like new again the best tips and tricks for caulking, removing caulk, and quality tools.
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Author: Rachel
Cost: $15

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Remove the Old Caulk

  • Remove the old caulk using the caulk remover tool and a flat scraper blade to remove all traces around the surround. If the tile and surround look in good repair, vacuum and remove any dirt or dust. Clean the surface of any mildew or soap scum too.
    A caulk scraper removing the caulk on a baseboard.
  • Spray a 10% bleach solution into the area of the caulk and allow to sit for at least a few minutes. Wipe up with a clean, dry cloth and allow to air dry overnight.
    A corner of a bathtub rim with the caulk removed.

Caulking the Surround

  • To create a straight line of caulk, use painters tape on both sides of the seam.
    Painter's tape along a bathtub edge in preparation to caulk the edge.
  • Cut the caulk tube at a 35-45 degree angle. If you just cut the tip flat at a 90 degree angle, you will have more wasted caulk and a round bead rather than an angle bead.
    The tip of a caulk gun cut at a 45 degree angle.
  • Position the tip in the seam area and move in a straight line with the bead of caulk. Make sure there are no gaps or huge globs as you move along. Also make sure to fill the space pretty well so it doesn’t cave in.
    Caulk being spread with a caulking gun into a crevice with both sides taped.
  • Smooth out the caulk with your index finger or a caulk smoothing tool. As you move along, keep even pressure. Generally, I go over once to get any excess caulk and then a second time to smooth out completely, moving from end to end in one sweep.
    A caulk smoother tool being used to smooth out caulk on a bathtub.
  • Pull up the painter's tape. Make sure that you can see the edges of the tape, or you will have odd ridges when you pull the tape up.
    Painter's tape being carefully pulled up to reveal a clean edge of caulk.
  • Allow to cure according to directions before exposing to water.
    Freshly added caulk to a bathtub surround.

Video

Notes

My Favorite Tool for Smoothing Caulk
My index finger. A dab of dish soap rubbed over the gloves keeps caulk from sticking to your finger. Fingers have just enough flexibility to go over any ridges while keeping the caulk nice and smooth. Put on some latex gloves and make sure they are tight fitting around your finger (no ridges or ripples). A dab of dish soap keeps the caulk from sticking to your finger!
Buy a Quality Caulk Gun
If you use viscous materials (such as sanded caulk or adhesives), have a BIG job, have poor hand strength/arthritis or would just like something that doesn't require you to squeeze as much, get a high thrust caulk gun. This is the one that I use for bigger jobs.