Re-caulking your bathtub is an easy DIY project that instantly makes your bathroom look cleaner and more watertight. With the right prep, supplies, and a few pro tips, you can tackle this affordable upgrade in just an afternoon.
When we first moved into this house, the caulk around the bathtub was in rough shape. It was loose in some spots, moldy in others, and just plain dingy — the kind of detail that instantly makes a bathroom feel grimy, no matter how much you clean.
I knew right away it needed to be replaced, but like a lot of small home maintenance projects, it was easy to push it down the to-do list.
Eventually, I tackled it, and wow! What a difference. Fresh caulk instantly made the tub and tile look cleaner, brighter, and more polished. It’s one of those little upgrades that doesn’t cost much, doesn’t take long, but pays off big in how your bathroom looks and feels. And trust me, if you’ve never tried it before, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it sounds.
Re-caulking isn’t just about appearances, it’s about protection. A clean bead of caulk seals the gap between the tub and tile, keeping water from sneaking behind the walls where it can cause hidden damage.
It also prevents mold and mildew from taking hold in those damp crevices, which keeps your bathroom healthier. And as a bonus, fresh caulk gives your tub an instant refresh, making the whole space look cared for, even if the rest of the bathroom hasn’t been updated in years.
Project At A Glance:
| Difficulty: ⭐️ ⭐️ of 5 | Time: 1-2 hours (plus, dry time) |
| Supplies needed: Silicone Caulk Caulk Gun Painter’s Tape Gloves Rubbing Alcohol (or some sort of cleaner) Rags |
Tools needed: Utility Knife Caulk Removal Tool Shop Vac (or vacuum) |
The caulk is the most important part of this project and you want to make sure you buy the correct kind.
For a project that needs to be waterproofed, like this one, silicone caulk is the way to go. This is the exact one we used for this project. I bought two tubes just to be safe, but I only needed one tube for our bathroom. Silicone caulk is a lot harder