Signs your caulk has failed
- Black or pink staining you can't clean: that's mold growing inside or under the caulk. The caulk is no longer waterproof.
- Cracks or gaps: separation between caulk and tile/tub.
- Caulk pulling away from tile: the bond has failed, water is getting through.
- Soft or rubbery caulk: still flexible but no longer adhered.
Why fresh caulk matters
A failed caulk line lets water seep behind the tub/shower surround, then onto the subfloor and into the wall framing. We've seen $5,000+ floor and wall repairs all caused by skipping a $150 caulk job. The water damage is slow and silent — you don't see it until the bathroom floor is soft.
DIY caulk: harder than it looks
Pulling the old caulk completely is the hard part — leftover residue prevents the new caulk from bonding. The pros use a sharp scraper, then alcohol, then a heat gun on stubborn spots. Then a single smooth bead of mildew-resistant silicone, tooled with a wet finger. Done sloppily, you trap mildew under the new bead.
Cost: $150–$275 to recaulk a tub or shower
We remove the old, clean to bare surface, apply silicone-based mildew-resistant caulk, and tool a smooth bead. Stays watertight 5+ years. Faster and more reliable than the homeowner version.
