Your bathroom can be a home to mold and mildew. They thrive in moist, dark, and damp places. And your bathroom is the perfect definition of these words.
Removing molds and mildew is not easy. So most homeowners resort to removing old silicone caulk and replacing it with a new one. It may sound like a difficult DIY. But trust us, it isn’t.
Even newbies need not be intimidated. How to remove silicone caulk from a fiberglass shower stall? Keep scrolling to find out.
How to remove old caulk from shower using silicone remover
And mildew! Silicone caulk is sticky and can be really hard to remove, that is if you don’t know how you remove silicone caulk. So we’re going to break it down below. So let’s see what you should do.
- Get a surface cleaner and towel. We need to clean the area first to remove any soap scum.
- Then, ensure first if the caulk in your bathroom shower stall is silicone. Silicone should be soft and rubbery when it isn’t cured yet.
- The fastest easy is to use a silicone caulk remover. Make sure to put your gloves on first.
- Cut away a portion of the old silicone caulk. Then apply the silicone remover as directed.
- Let it sit as per the label. Different brands have different time frames.
- The old silicone caulk would have softened by now. You can gently remove it from the surface
- Rub cloth with alcohol to remove any debris.
How to Remove Silicone Caulk Naturally
But if you don’t want to use any chemicals, you can still remove old silicone caulk the natural way.
- Gather your supplies. You’ll need the following.
- Razor
- Hairdryer
- Gloves
- A caulk tool
2. Using your hairdryer heat 8-10 inches of silicone for 30 to 40 seconds.
3. Slice through it with your razor blade.
4. Make sure to remove all the old silicone. The new silicone won’t stick to the surface if there is any silicone debris left.
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How Do You Remove Black Mold From Shower
What about if the old caulk is laden with mold and mildew. Doing the above-mentioned procedures will just leave some spores behind. So it’ll multiply again. Here is how you can remove the mold and the caulk at the same time.
- Gather your materials. We need the following.
- Warm water
- Bleach
- Sponge
- Hairdryer
- Gloves
- Razor or caulk remover
- Before scraping the old silicone caulk off, we need to clean the surface to remove molds and mildew.
- Mix 3/4 cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water.
- Do the sponge on the solution and apply it to all the moldy areas.
- Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Rinse well with water.
- Dry thoroughly.
- Grab your hair dryer and heat 8-10 inches of caulk for 40 seconds.
- Using a caulk tool or razor, gently scrape away the silicone caulk.
- Ensure all old caulk is removed before applying a new one.
Caulking shower corners
Now that you’ve removed the old moldy silicone caulk, it’s time to put on a new layer. Re-caulking your shower corners can make your bathroom clock cleaner and fresh. It’s an easy and economical way to update your bathroom too.
This small detail can make a big difference to your bathroom.
1. Gather all the needed materials first.
- Painter’s tape
- Silicone or acrylic latex
- Abrasive scrubber
- Cloth
- Painters tool
2. Silicone caulk is more advisable as it lasts longer. This type of caulk is harder to remove than acrylic latex. But hey, we now know how to easily remove it. So you can go for it.
3. After removing the silicone caulk, do another brush up to ensure that there isn’t any debris left. If there is any residue, the new silicone might not adhere properly.
4. If you’re a seasoned DIYer you can do it without tapes. But if you’re still learning the ropes, using a painter’s tape is highly recommended. Lay the painter’s tape half an inch on the surface that you’re going to caulk.
5. The painters tape will be your guide so that you will be able to draw a straight line of caulk.
6. Using steady pressure, press the trigger so that the south would come out smoothly.
7. Keep it moving consistently so that you can get an even layer of caulk throughout.
8. To maintain speed, don’t go too fast. Otherwise, the solution might either thicken or become too thin.
9. Get a damp cloth or towel and place it over the caulk. Then press a small area with your finger and draw your finger down to the direction of the seam. This method is necessary to smoothen out the caulk.
10. Then carefully remove the painters’ tape. And ensure that it doesn’t get in touch with the freshly applied caulk.
- Now all you have to do is wait for 24 hours of the caulk to set. In the meantime, don’t use the shower until it’s fully set.
- It’s so easy, right?
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FAQs
The chemical composition of silicone is made of a complex matrix. And once the caulk cures, the chains can not be undone. Hence, it is not easily removed by solvents.
No, they can’t. But they can help soften and loosen the silicone caulk so that’s easier to remove with a knife or a caulk tool.
Not all. Some silicone removers can instead soften the caulk for easier removal.
Conclusion
An old and moldy silicone caulk can make your bathroom look disgusting. And it can speak volumes of how much you clean and take care of your homes.
Applying a new layer of silicone is the fastest way to make your bathroom look clean and fresh again. And with our guide on how to remove old silicone caulk from your fiberglass shower stalls, you don’t need to hire a professional anymore.