Refreshing bathroom caulking

Why not just clean it?

A silicone seal blackened in depth is colonized by mould: surface cleaning only lasts a few weeks. The right move is to remove the old seal completely and lay a new one — about an hour of work, under $20 of materials, and a spectacular result.

The method, step by step

1. Remove the old seal with a caulk scraper (or a utility knife, gently); finish with silicone remover if residue sticks.

2. Clean with rubbing alcohol and let dry completely — the step everyone rushes, and the reason new seals peel off.

3. Apply painter's tape on both sides of the line for a perfect edge, lay a steady bead of bathroom (mould-resistant) silicone, smooth with a soapy wet finger, remove the tape immediately.

4. Respect the indicated curing time (often 24 h) before the first shower.

When to call a worker

If the seal blackens quickly after every redo, if the wall sounds hollow or tiles move, there may be water behind — a waterproofing problem beyond caulking. Post a request on AlloPro (Home & small jobs category, caulking): better a timely inspection than a full bathroom renovation.