Recaulking Your Sliding Patio Door

There may come a time when recaulking your kitchen backsplash has to be done. Caulk, regardless of the type, will brown and crack over time. If water is a repeated issue it can erode the caulk as well as cause mold and mildew to form. The backsplash is an important fixture in your kitchen as it protects the wall behind it from moisture.

If the caulking becomes too worn then water can get through and re-caulking will become necessary. Recaulking the backsplash is a job that is often left to the high-priced professionals but it is not a job that is overly difficult or expensive. The following article will show you how easy recaulking your kitchen backsplash actually is you'll never have to pay someone else to do it ever again.

Scoring the Old Caulk

Use the utility knife and carefully begin to score the caulk where it attaches to the backsplash. You'll need to run the blade along both edges of the caulk. Start with the side that is attached to the backsplash and then down the edge attached to the wall. There is no hurry when doing this step so do not rush or else the blade could slip and cut you. Rushing can also damage the wall or the backsplash. The straighter the cut you make the easier it will be to remove.

Removing the Caulk

There are two kinds of caulk that are used on a backsplash: latex and silicone. Silicone caulk is the better kind of caulk and is typically the easiest to remove. Once the silicone caulk is scored on both sides and all over the backsplash you can grab one end and pull. Silicone caulk will often remove in one long strip. Latex caulk will need to be dug out and will come out in chunks. This is by far the messier of the two kinds of caulk.

Prepare the Site

Dip the nylon brush in water and scrub the backsplash where the caulk was. You do this to remove any bits of caulk or other debris in the caulk line. Use a sponge dampened with water to rinse out the area. Fill an empty spray bottle with one cup of bleach and one cup of water. Replace the nozzle and stir the contents. Spray the bleach-water where the caulk used to be until saturated. Wait a day before continuing.

Recaulking the Backsplash

Cut the tip off the caulk and load the gun. Place the tip at the top of the backsplash in one of the caulk lines. Use it at a slight angle and pull the trigger on the caulk gun. As you pull the trigger also slide the gun down the caulk line. The caulk needs to be applied in an even line that is smooth. Do this for each caulk line. Let the caulk cure for a day or two before allowing it to get wet.