The leftover caulk, exposed to heat, finally ought to soften to the point where you can remove it with a removal tool, razor, brush or putty knife. Finish the job by cleaning the surface where the caulk used to sit. Here, there may be a buildup of mildew and soap scum.
To treat the mildew, apply water-diluted bleach with a cotton cloth. For soap scum, use the same technique but instead of bleach, opt for a homemade shower cleaner a vinegar-and-water mixture usually does the trick.
With the right materials, a modest amount of know-how, and, yes, some luck, the process of removing caulk can be pretty painless. In home improvement, as in life, patience is a virtue. Take your time to get the job done right. Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. Brush or chip away at any pieces that have hardened into place. If needed, use your heat gun again to soften any stubborn bits. Method 3. Clean up after removal. Once you've removed all the caulk, clean up the mess you've made so it doesn't interfere with the new caulk bonding to the surfaces.
Dust the surface with dry paper towels or microfiber clothes so you don't have to use too much liquid. Wipe the area dry when finished. Spray paper towels of cloths with cleaner instead of spraying the surfaces directly. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, since this creates toxic fumes when combined with bleach, which you'll be using next. Get rid of mildew. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray into and around the gap, or soak a paintbrush or foam brush in it and use that to reach inside the gap.
Scrub with a cleaning brush, wipe up any extra debris that may have worked loose, rinse the area with dampened towels, and then wipe it dry. Allow the area to dry before recaulking.
To make sure you're not trapping any moisture behind the surfaces, wait until the next day before covering the gap with new caulk. Give the area behind the surfaces a chance to air-dry. Aim a fan at the gap to improve air circulation. Water-based caulks will adhere to surfaces that are slightly damp, but doing so may increase the risk of mildew growing back. Keep in mind that since caulk isn't waterproof, if there's a leak in your shower, the new caulk is going to eventually show mold and mildew, as well.
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Art Fricke. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Chemicals that remove or soften caulking are very powerful and may be toxic.
Always wear the proper protective gear when using strong chemicals. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4. Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References 7. Expert Interview. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: August 20, Categories: Removing Glue. Article Summary X To remove old caulk, start by holding a utility knife parallel to the surrounding surface and slicing into the caulk along the edge to weaken the bond.
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