Caulking and grout repair for tubs, showers and tile
Caulk and grout keep water where it belongs. When caulk cracks or turns black, water gets behind the tile; replacing it properly means taking the old caulk out, not caulking over it.
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What people call about
- Black, mouldy or peeling caulk around the tub or shower.
- Cracked or missing grout between floor or wall tiles.
- Gaps where the counter meets the backsplash or the wall.
- Caulk around sinks and toilets that has pulled away.
- Exterior gaps around windows and doors (see weatherproofing).
Before the handyman arrives
- Do not use the tub or shower until the new caulk has cured; the handyman will tell you how long.
- Do not caulk over old caulk. It does not stick and the mould underneath keeps growing.
- Soft or moving tiles, or a stain on the ceiling below the bathroom, suggest water has already got in. That needs looking at before re-sealing.
What the handyman does
- All the old caulk cut and scraped out and the joint cleaned and dried.
- A mould-resistant silicone or the right sealant for the surface laid in a clean bead.
- Cracked grout raked out and regrouted, matched to the existing colour as closely as possible.
- Grout sealed where it is cement grout and you want it sealed.
- Loose tiles pointed out, because a moving tile will crack new grout again.
South Florida and beyond
In Florida's humidity, bathroom caulk grows mildew quickly, especially in rooms without a strong exhaust fan, so mould-resistant silicone and a good fan make the biggest difference. In colder climates, caulk around tubs also cracks as the house expands and contracts with the seasons.
Questions people ask
- How often should tub caulk be replaced?
- Whenever it cracks, peels or turns black, which in humid bathrooms can be every year or two. Good silicone, applied to a clean dry joint, lasts much longer.
- Can grout be repaired without replacing the tile?
- Yes. Cracked or crumbling grout is raked out and replaced. If the tiles themselves are loose or cracked, those are reset or replaced first.
- Caulk or grout in the corners?
- Caulk. Corners and the joint between tub and tile move, and grout there cracks. Flat joints between tiles get grout.
Get a handyman out
Free estimate. The price is agreed before the work starts.
Other handyman jobs
- General handyman jobs
- Drywall repair
- TV mounting
- Furniture assembly
- Door repair
- Interior painting
- Pressure washing
- Gutter cleaning
- Shelves and hanging
- Fence repair
- Deck repair
- Screen repair
- Faucet and fixture swap
- Weatherproofing
One Call Handyman Repairs arranges the visit; the handyman does the work and gives you the price.