Glass shower doors can make your bathroom so much more stylish. Large glass panes, in place of plastic shower curtains, give the room much more class and distinction. However, the door will need to be maintained if it is going to look good and remain strong. Since there is so much water in a shower environment, you need to take some special consideration. Most importantly, you need to prevent mold from forming along the caulk lines. This article explains how to re-caulk glass shower doors.

Why This is Vital

Depending on the build and frame style of your shower doors, the caulk lines might be most invisible. However, frameless shower doors have highly visible caulk lines, this is why they are filled with clear, silicone caulk. When mold forms on clear silicone caulk, it can turn black and cause the caulk to deteriorate, weakening the door. So, keeping cleaning caulk lines is of the utmost importance when it comes to the style and strength of your glass shower doors.

Remove the Old Caulk

First, it is not a good idea to just apply new caulk directly over the old caulk. First, you need to remove the old caulk. This can be tricky, depending on the level of deterioration. If the caulk is already deteriorating from mold, it should be much easier to scrape out. The best tools for removing caulk is a painter's knife. The pointy edge of the knife is perfect for scraping out the caulk, without scratching the glass or frame. You can also use a degreaser to help remove the stubborn caulk residue that sticks to the glass. Use the rough side of a kitchen sponge to help rub away all of the excess residue.

Apply the New Caulk

The key to applying the new caulk is to use a caulk gun, rubber gloves and a wet rag. First, shoot the caulk into the edge with the gun. Then, wearing the gloves, rub the caulk into the corner, pushing it in between the glass and the frame. This helps create a strong seal and leaves behind a smoother caulk line. You need to make small swipes with your finger and then wipe away the excess caulk on the wet rag. The key is to always keep your finger clean when wiping. This technique might take a little bit of practice, but it is the best way to achieve straight, clean and even caulk lines.

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