How to Remove Moldy Caulking
Nobody wants to see ugly black mold on caulk, especially in the bathroom. You can clean and bleach the mold temporarily, but the problem will come back after some time. To completely get rid of the dilemma, you need to remove moldy caulking. Here’s how to do it.
What You’ll Need:
Tube of caulk
Putty knife
Screwdriver
Old rag
Bleach
Scissors
Paper towel
Water
Procedure:
Get the putty knife and use it to remove the existing moldy caulking. You have to scrape and gouge it away properly. Removing all the caulk is very important, so when you apply the new caulk, it will seal the gap and adhere well. The putty knife might be too big and awkward for some spots, so you’ll need a narrower tool to reach them. A screwdriver will work well for this. Be careful not to scrape or scratch the tiles, though.
Once all the caulk has been removed, examine the part underneath. It’s likely that you’ll see mold there, too. Get some bleach and clean the area as neatly as possible.
Using the scissors, cut the tip off from the new caulk tube. You only need to make a little hole, and if it’s insufficient, just cut it off a bit. A hole that’s too big might make the application messy for you.
Carefully squeeze the caulk tube around the area you’re replacing. Go as slowly and evenly as you can, gently squeezing the tube. Use your thumb to rub a bead of caulk in place. It’s a good idea to wet your finger a bit as you apply the caulk, since the extra moisture allows the finger to glide over the caulk without sticking.
If you accidentally applied excess caulk, wrap your finger in a wet paper towel. Glide it all over the caulk, so it’ll absorb the excess.
Mold can still come back even after you’ve replaced the caulk. To lessen the occurrence of molding, provide proper ventilation to the room. Running a dry rag over the caulk when it gets wet is also a good idea.
When mold appears in your caulking, it’s time for a re-caulking project. Just follow these steps and remove those nasty looking mold on your walls.