Remove Bathtub Caulking: Some Helpful Tips

It is not too difficult to remove tub caulk; at least in most cases. There are some things that you can do to help the job go easily and smoothly though; including some handy tools you might want to pick up at your local home center first.

Planning:
Every project, no matter how small, should have some measure of planning first. Here's how I would recommend approaching the task to remove tub caulk.

With pencil and paper in hand, and in your bathroom (or wherever the project tub is), simply assess the situation:

Note: SAFETY FIRST! Be sure you have the necessary safety items needed to perform this tub caulk removal task without injury or illness. Read product labels! Read tool and equipment instructions! Wear necessary protective equipment and gear!

1. What kind of tub caulk exists now? Silicone? Latex? Acrylic? Other? Silicone feels and looks rubbery, latex and acrylic feel and look somewhat harder. The main reason to know is to understand how to approach the removal process. Silicone tends to peel away in long strips, if removal is done carefully. Latex or acrylics seem to adhere more securely to the surfaces and do not always remove in large segments like silicone does. These often need to be scraped or, sometimes, even reduced with solvents. Make a note of your best-guess on your paper.
2. Is the existing caulk moldy or mildew-laden?
If so, make a note; you'll need some bleach, paper towels, rubber gloves, plastic bags (to dispose of waste) to clean that away. You will also want to clean any mold or mildew from behind the caulk, once it is removed.
3. What do you plan to do after the tub caulk is removed? If you will be immediately re-caulking your tub, be sure to note you'll need some new caulking material and other items for THAT task. For help and instructions with that project, be sure to read my article on how to do that as well. Click on the link at the end of this article. Be sure to note the materials outlined there as well, for your re-caulking project later.

Gather materials, tools, and the like:
Tub caulk removal is best done using some of the simple tools that are designed for it. Most hardware and home center stores carry a simple plastic caulk-removal tool that fits neatly into the tub-wall joint to help scrape away the caulk in large segments. While this tool is not likely to remove ALL of the caulk, it certainly does help with the bulk of it. So, get one of those. They're not expensive, and I believe you'll agree it's worthwhile. You might need a razor knife or razor scraper, too; for gently peeling residual caulk from the surfaces during the finishing touches of the removal process.

If your existing tub caulk is latex-acrylic, and it appears and feels as though it is securely adhered, you might want to pick up some type of solvent cleaner so you can completely and cleanly remove all traces of the existing tub caulk (for best results, ask for advice from store personnel regarding best cleaners/solvents).

Do the deed:
With your safety gear and tools and supplies collected and in the project area, you're ready to begin removal of the tub caulk.
1. Put some newspaper or other protection inside the tub so you don't scratch it when you work inside.
Note: If your existing tub caulk has mildew or mold, now is the time to remove that; simply apply some bleach to some paper towels, and wipe it away.
2. Get into the tub, and using your tub caulk removal tool, scrape along the tub caulk joint with firm pressure (instructions should be included with the tool), to remove whatever material will come up. Repeat until you can't do any more with that tool. If the tub caulk is latex or acrylic, sometimes a small amount of warm water will help soften it so it can be wiped off with paper towels.
3. The particular kind of tub caulk that now exists will determine how much of it will come away freely using the tub caulk removal tool. Silicone often peels away easily, once started. Some of the harder materials require more detailed cleaning and removal. If you bought solvent cleaner for the finishing touch cleanup, use that according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Final touches:
Once you have scraped away the old tub caulk material and put it into the plastic bags you had nearby; and, you have wiped clean the tub caulk joint you just removed the caulk from, you are ready to re-caulk the joint with the new caulking you bought (you did, didn't you?).

Again, follow the instructions in my other article 'How to Caulk a Bathtub With Silicone' for that task; see link below.

Tips & Warnings

• See link below for 'How to Caulk a Bathtub with Silicone'
• Read and follow manufacturers' guidelines and instructions for safe handling, use, installation, operation and maintenance of all tools, equipment, and products.
• Some caulking, solvents, and other home maintenance products might contain substances known to be harmful to health. Be sure to read labels to understand; handle and use products accordingly. For more info, see links below.

Resources

• How to Caulk a Bathtub with Silicone
• Quing-It --Product Ingredient Information
• US Dept. of Health & Human Services -- Household Products Database