Feeling the necessity of using silicone is nothing uncommon for a homeowner because using silicone caulk is very beneficial for their home’s moist places, such as plumbing equipment, bathtubs, showers, toilets, sinks, etc.
Therefore, silicone is also great for protecting their home from the outdoors’ impact as well. With the use of this caulk, you can also enjoy the facilities of silicone caulk.
Then why do you need to remove the caulk? For instance, your bathroom or kitchen is attracted to mold, your caulk is cracking, or your kitchen caulk is becoming discolored. In this kind of situation, you may feel the necessity to remove the silicone caulk.
But how to remove wet silicone caulk? As silicone is tough to remove, nothing is impossible. We are here to guide you through removing wet silicone caulk.
What is The Easiest Way to Remove Wet Silicone Caulk?
Most of the time, silicone caulk is the best way to seal bathtubs, showers, and other moist places because it can handle water better than other conventional caulk.
Silicone caulk makes a robust bond that keeps the surface dry and moisture-free. Moreover, it is never affected by significant weather conditions either.
It is also suitable for the exterior surface, as this caulk dries pretty quickly and lasts for a long time, so people prefer silicone caulk the most. The drying process of silicone is quick. In contrast, the removal process of silicone is challenging.
Here are a few steps for removing wet silicone caulk:
1. Soften The Silicone
Utilize modified alcohol or mineral spirits to soften the existence of silicone caulk. Avoid using sponges on surfaces because they leave scratches on the surface easily, or you can also use scrub pads. Use a scrubber to get rid of the dirt.
2. What About Knife
Of course, you will not peel off the caulk with your hand. Instead, use a sharp knife to remove the dry caulk. Do the job nicely, and avoid putting scratches on the surface.
3. Use A Brush and A Wet Towel
Use a brush to remove all the broken pieces of cracked caulk and make sure no more caulk is attached to the brush.
Make sure the alcohol makes your silicone soften properly, but keep in mind that silicone cannot be dissolved by this method properly. So use the brush to make the surface silicone-free.
If you do not have a brush, use a paper towel, and if you do not care about scratches, then a sponge can be a good option to remove wet silicone caulk.
4. Repetition Is the Key
To remove all the leftover caulk, repeat this procedure again and again until all the wet silicone caulk is removed.
In this case, heat the caulk by using a heating gun or a hairdryer. Apply heat in sensitive areas and soak the caulk with a towel. Applying alcohol also softens the caulk, as you already know. Do not hurry at this stage of the caulking removal.
Use a small toothbrush, putty knife, caulk removal tool, or utility knife to remove the excess caulk from the corners. However, the newly applied silicone sealant will not get very sticky. In this situation, the process will be faster.
5. Let The Place Dry
Before applying any caulk or sealant, carefully dry the surface. Otherwise, the new caulk will not create a sustainable bond.
When to Remove Wet Silicone Caulk?
Nothing can last forever, and this is also applicable to caulk. Usually, silicone can last around 20 years. But what will happen after 20 years? Of course, after a certain time, old silicone caulk needs to be removed as well.
It is not always necessary that silicone be applied in a bathroom or a moist place. You can remove silicone caulk from various places, such as:
Sometimes your applied caulk can be dried improperly. At that time, you need to remove it. So, remove the silicone caulk that has not cured. Or you can remove silicone caulk from an under-mount sink in our kitchen.
On the other hand, silicone caulk also can be used on granite and brick, and the removal process is similar to that of a bathroom.
However, there are more reasons to remove silicone caulk:
- Unhealthy Surface
A cracked caulk always makes your bathroom surface unhealthy because a cracked caulk allows water seeping and air installation.
And as we know, moist places are best for mold and mildew growth. So, if you can relate to the problem, just remove your bathroom silicone caulk and re-caulk the surface.
- Growth of Mold
Fungus growing on the surface means applying caulk is no longer protecting your bathroom.
Caulk that has been attracted by mold or mildew needs to be changed as soon as possible. Though waterproof caulk cannot stop mold and mildew from growing completely, proper cleaning and caring can save the surface a better level.
So, if your bathroom floor or kitchen sink is attracted by mold, just remove the caulk.
- Caulk Turns into Discolor
Silicone caulk is mostly used for moist places. Wood and dried silicone do not stick to each other, so people cannot use silicone on a dry surface. On the other hand, silicone is mainly an unpaintable caulk, so it can easily attract dirt.
What should you do if you have a moist place with a high percentage of dirt and cannot paint over your applied silicone? The caulk looks so dirty and unhygienic, just remove it.
Read next: 3 Causes Why Does Clear Caulk Turn White?
FAQ
Is it easier to remove wet or dry silicone caulk?
How do you remove silicone caulk that has not cured?
After the whole process, if there is a little amount of caulk left, use a brush and wet tissue paper or towel to clean the wet caulk fully.
What will dissolve silicone caulk?
Anyone can use manufactured ethyl alcohol, too, in this case, but before applying, consult with a specialist because usually, silicone does not dissolve totally.
Your Turn
Do not focus solely on removing wet silicone because silicone does not usually require immediate removal. It lasts for a long time, but follow the mentioned steps if you need to do it.
Want to Learn More:
- How To Remove Mold From Under Silicone Caulk (5 Steps Process)
- Is Landlord Responsible For Caulking (Assumption Or Fact)
- How To Prevent Mold In Shower Caulk: 4 Ways Of Prevention
- How To Finish Tile Edges With Caulk – 6 Easy Steps
Hello! this is John Cox. If I’m not wrong, you love Home. Right? And you already met one of them who’ve been in this field since 2005 and still go on. According to my interest, I’ve started this blog to share my thoughts about Home sectors, and you’ll love it.
