When to Recaulk Your Bathroom

Bathroom caulking is the most underappreciated line of defence against water damage in your home. It's inexpensive to maintain and very expensive to ignore.

Failed caulking around your tub, shower, or vanity allows water to seep into the wall cavity. By the time mould becomes visible or tiles start to pop, you're looking at drywall replacement, mould remediation, and potentially subfloor repairs.

Signs It's Time to Recaulk

• Caulk is cracked, crumbling, or pulling away from the surface
• Visible black, grey, or pink staining in or behind the caulk line (mould or mildew)
• Caulk that feels hard and brittle rather than flexible
• Gaps between the caulk and the tub, tile, or fixture
• Caulk that's more than 5 years old in a heavily used bathroom
• Any discolouration that doesn't respond to cleaning

Why Caulking Fails

All caulking eventually fails — it's a matter of when, not if. The main causes are:

• Normal expansion and contraction from temperature and moisture changes
• The tub or shower base flexing slightly under weight (especially acrylic or fibreglass)
• Improper original installation (wrong caulk type, surface not clean/dry, insufficient depth)
• Mould growth that breaks down the caulk from within

DIY vs. Professional Recaulking

Recaulking looks simple in YouTube videos, but proper execution requires thorough removal of all old caulk, surface preparation with appropriate cleaners, correct caulk selection (siliconized acrylic for most applications, 100% silicone for wet areas), and smooth, continuous application.

Poorly done recaulking fails faster than the original, and applying new caulk over old caulk without removing it first is the most common mistake — it never bonds properly and will peel within months.

Professional recaulking typically runs $150–$350 for a bathroom and includes a proper job done right the first time, with caulk that lasts 5–10 years.