Replace silicone caulking
Here's how to do it step by step
Key points at a glance:
- Replace silicone caulking in a timely manner: If caulking becomes brittle, cracked, or moldy, it should be replaced to prevent moisture from penetrating the masonry.
- Thorough preparation: Old silicone must be completely removed, the surface thoroughly cleaned, and, if necessary, primed before the silicone joints are replaced.
- Work cleanly and allow it to dry thoroughly: New silicone should be applied evenly, smoothed out immediately, and then allowed to dry for a sufficient amount of time to ensure that the joint remains permanently sealed.
Step 1
Removing old silicone caulking
First, you need to determine whether the silicone caulking needs to be removed. If it is brittle, cracked, or chipped, replacing it is usually the best option. Removing mold from silicone caulking can also be complicated, so replacement is recommended if mold is present. Follow these steps to remove the old silicone caulking:
Remove silicone caulk
A grout scraper works particularly well for removing silicone grout. Any remaining silicone can then be scraped away with a kitchen knife. You can also use a special liquid silicone remover. Be careful when removing silicone residue from the tiles so as not to scratch them.
Step 2
Cleaning and preparing joints
Once the old caulking has been removed, don’t rush to apply the new silicone caulking right away. First, everything needs to be properly prepared. These steps should also be carried out thoroughly and without haste to ensure that the new silicone caulking achieves the desired clean result.
Tip: Here are instructions for cleaning grout in the bathroom.
Clean the surrounding area
When replacing silicone caulking, the finish should be as clean as possible. To do this, remove any remaining dry silicone and then clean both the grout lines and the tiles. This ensures that the new silicone adheres properly.
Mask off finishes
To prevent the finishes next to the joints from getting dirty, you can cover them with tape as a precaution. This way, you won’t have to remove excess silicone from the tiles at the joints later.
Priming with primer (optional)
Applying a primer ensures that the silicone adheres better to the joints afterward. Like silicone, primer is available at your local hardware store or specialty retailer. It is applied with a small brush and usually needs to dry for a few minutes.
Step 3
Apply new silicone caulking
Once the preparations are complete, it’s time to replace the silicone in the tile grout lines. Keep in mind that silicone dries very quickly. Especially when working on larger areas, it’s best to finish and smooth out smaller sections completely (see Step 4) before applying silicone to the next grout lines.
Insert the cartridge
First, the silicone cartridge must be prepared for use by loading it into a cartridge press or gun. Typically, there is a dispensing tip that needs to be screwed onto the cartridge and cut open. The cut should be based on the desired amount of silicone to be dispensed from the cartridge. A cut made higher up results in a narrower tip, allowing less sealant to be dispensed at once—this is recommended for narrower joints. A cut made lower down, on the other hand, is useful for creating wider silicone joints, as it allows more sealant to be dispensed.
Apply the filler
Next, use a caulking gun or caulking press to apply the silicone to the joint. To ensure proper filling, you should apply about 2 mm more than the joint previously contained. This is because the silicone will shrink slightly over time. The silicone should be distributed as evenly as possible.
Step 4
Smooth the joints and let them dry
After replacing the silicone caulking, it’s important to continue working quickly. The material takes only about 10 minutes to set. Before this happens, the following steps must be completed:
Spray with soapy water
First, spray the freshly applied silicone caulking with a mixture of dish soap and water. This will create a protective film on the surface.
Smoothing joints
You can then use a joint smoother to smooth out the new silicone joints and remove any excess material. Choose a joint smoother of the appropriate size based on the width of the joints.
Remove the tape
It is also essential to remove any adhesive tape before the silicone begins to dry. Otherwise, the freshly applied silicone joints may crack.
Let it dry
The final step can be done without any time pressure, as all you need to do now is wait for the silicone to cure. This can vary depending on the manufacturer, but it is recommended that you wait at least 24 hours before the silicone comes into contact with water.
By the way: If you don’t want to replace the silicone caulking every 5–8 years, or if you’d prefer a bathroom without tiles or grout for aesthetic reasons, you’ll find everything you need to know about grout-free bathrooms here.
