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Most people try to caulk their shower by just applying some big box type of caulk to the shower and smoothing it over with their fingers. Some people even use some type of plastic caulking applicator tool combined with the cheap caulk to try to get even looking caulking joints. These techniques and tools never work and usually the homeowner is left with ugly looking caulking joints. Additionally the cheaper caulks sold in the home improvement stores will not last and the caulk will soon start to grow mold and mildew in them and look ugly again in a short period of time.
Taping off the shower prior to caulking it is essential to getting an even looking caulking joint. Taping off a shower prior to caulking may seem like a lot of extra work but it will save you time when you go to actually applying the caulk to the shower. Additionally you will get much straighter and more even looking caulking joints and you will not have to take extra time cleaning up the excess caulk.
You should tape off every place where the caulk will be applied. Even shower nooks, soap dishes and shower fixtures should all be taped off if they are to be caulked. It is best to tape off approximately 1/8 inch away from the sides of the tiles or shower wall. This will leave enough area for the caulking to stick to without creating an oversize ugly looking caulk line. If the shower is built properly with the tiles close to each other in the corners then you can even tape off 1/16 of an inch to get even smaller less visible caulk lines. You do not have to apply an excessive amount of 100% silicone caulk to the shower to ensure that water will not get through. More caulking is not necessarily better in most cases and you should just ensure that there is proper caulk coverage and the shower seems are completely caulked. For many showers like the one in the pictures the tile in the seems is farther apart and it is necessary to tape off the full 1/8 inch to get an even looking caulk line and complete caulking coverage.
By taping off the shower prior to caulking you do not have to be too careful when applying the caulk. You just have to ensure that enough caulk is applied to all the seems and that there is adequate coverage with the caulk. The time you save applying the caulk is well worth the time spent taping the shower seems prior to caulking.
Laticrete Latasil's 100% silicone caulk is the best caulk to use for showers and any wet areas. This is the only caulk that is 100% silicone, comes in a variety of colors and is fairly easy to work with. Laticrete latasil caulk is the caulk that most quality tile installation and restoration professionals use. Do not even consider using any type of latex or siliconized type of caulks. These home improvement store caulks will not last and you will be recaulking your shower again in a very short period of time. After you apply the Latasil caulk to the seams you can smooth it over with your finger to get the caulking joints looking smooth and even.
Make sure that you smooth out all of the caulking joints before removing the tape. You should also have all of your materials ready including many paper towels to wipe you hands with and a garbage bag handy to put the tape with the excess caulking in. You only have about 1/2 hour to caulk and smooth out all your caulking joints before the caulk starts to set. Therefore you should ensure that everything you need is in place before applying the caulk and that there will be no distractions while you are caulking.
Only pull away one side of the tape away at a time. After you have pulled away one side of the tape smooth the caulk joint over with your finger. Then pull the other side of the tape away and re smooth the caulking joint with your finger to reveal an straight even looking caulk joint.
You should always go back and smooth your caulk joints after removing the tape. If you just remove the tape without going back over and smoothing the caulk then you will get a ridge line of caulk where the tape was pulled from.
Following these steps will help you ensure a smooth straight looking caulk joint in your shower. Remember it is also important to choose a caulk color that matches your tile walls. You can choose a proper latasil caulk color here.
In many bathrooms you may also want to caulk additional areas as well. Click here for information on how to caulk a bathtub and how to caulk a toilet as well. Caulking is a time consuming and difficult job and you may want to consider hiring a professional tile and grout restoration contractor to recaulk your shower and other areas for you.
You can read some valuable information and tips on how to hire a tile, grout and stone cleaning and restoration contractor at our contractor information page here. Tile Restoration Contractor.
Removing the old caulk Choosing the correct caulk