When your client calls you with stories of black mold growing in the edges of their sink, or cracks appearing where they wash their hands, it’s time to replace their sink caulking. The first step, however, is removal.

It’s critical to remove caulking correctly in high-traffic areas like sinks to avoid the risk of mold spreading, but it’s an achievable goal if you follow these easy steps.

Reasons to Remove Sink Caulking

Mold

Caulk that grows mold is more than just a feature that leaves a bathroom looking dirty. It’s a health risk that only grows the longer it isn’t treated because it spreads rapidly and can be hard to remove once it starts. The health risks that mold or mildew can cause include respiratory problems, allergies, and other health conditions.

The mold can also compound the sanitary problems by causing the caulk to crack, letting in water and causing both leaks and further mold growth. Because of this, all moldy caulking should be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Age

Silicone sealants, just like any other feature of your bathroom or sink, can get old. Once you notice signs of age like shrinking, discoloration, or cracks, or if it’s been decades since the last time the caulk was replaced, it is most likely time to remove and replace your sink caulking.

Steps to Remove Sink Caulking

Supplies

The supplies you’ll need to effectively remove and replace your sink caulking are:

• Household cleaner: Vinegar also works as a pre-removal cleansing method.
• Cleaning solution: Rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits both work as a caulk remover to soften the old silicone sealant.
• Dish soap: If there was no sign of mold, you can clean the area of the removed caulk with just warm water and dish soap. If there was any chance of mold, you’ll treat the area with bleach instead.
• Dry cloths: These will be used to clean the surfaces and dry the area.
• Bleach: Hydrogen peroxide will also work to kill mold spores. Mix with equal parts water and chlorine bleach to make a solution to treat the area with.
• Cleaning gloves: You’ll wear these throughout the process to protect your hands from the chemicals and any mold present.
• Caulk scraper: This is the tool you’ll use to remove the old caulk. If you don’t have a caulk scraper, a putty knife, razor blade, or utility knife will work.
• Caulk gun: The final step in removal is the replacement, and you’ll want to have your caulk gun on hand to get started on a replacement right away. There are a lot of different options for caulk guns out there, so be sure to select the kind that works for you.
• New caulk: Having your new caulk loaded into your caulk gun will speed up the replacement process.

Prepare the Area for Removal

You’ll start by cleaning the area on and around the old caulk with your household cleaner. Removing soap scum and dirt on the surface of the old caulk will help you see the extent of any damage. Next, use your caulk scraper to remove any loose pieces or debris from the area.

When working in any caulking environment, but especially sanitary locations like a sink, you’ll want to protect as much of the surrounding area as possible. Laying down plastic sheeting or painter’s tape to protect the space around you will both save time on clean-up and reduce the risk of damage to other fixtures.

Removal

Apply your cleaning solution to the old silicone with a cloth. It may take several hours for the old sealant to completely soften, but it will aid in speeding up the removal process. Once the recommended time is up, use your caulk removal tool to remove the softened caulk.

When removing old caulk, start at one end and scrape inward. Don’t use too much force - it should be softened and loose. Remove as much as possible with each pass, but don’t worry if there’s leftover residue. If it’s difficult to access the caulk in the cramped space of a sink, needle-nosed pliers may come in useful to help lift the loosened material. It may be necessary to repeat this step a few times to ensure you’ve removed all the layers of the old caulk.

As you work, make sure that your space is well-ventilated. Using any available fans and windows will help the workspace air remain healthy even while using chemicals like bleach.

If there is a difficult section to remove, applying heat can help soften the remaining caulk. In these cases, a hair dryer works well. Aim the lowest heat setting at each difficult section for thirty seconds, and gradually increase the heat as necessary until it is loose.

Prepare the Area for Replacement

Once you’ve removed all caulk residue, clean the area. If mold wasn’t a factor in the removal, you can just use dish soap and warm water, applied with a cloth. If there was a chance of mold, however, use your household cleaner followed by your bleach on the area to kill any remaining mold spores.

Once you’ve finished cleaning the area, dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. It’s important to let the area dry completely before applying fresh caulk to prevent mold growth.

Replacement

The final step in removing old silicone sealant is applying new caulk. Particularly in a high-use, damp environment like a sink, you’ll want to replace it right away. A high-quality silicone sealant and silicone caulking gun is key to applying waterproof replacement caulk to any removal area.

Get Your Caulk Supplies from Silicone Depot

Silicone Depot provides high-quality tools for all steps of your sink caulk replacement. Our caulk guns are designed to meet the needs of your project, whether it’s a DIY home replacement on a bathtub shower or a professional assignment to deal with the spread of mold.

Silicone Depot sealant comes in a variety of colors and types perfect for everything from sinks to window seals. Look through our selection to find the sealant tools and accessories for your project today!