Caulking & Resealing (Tubs, Sinks, Windows)

Common issues

• Caulk around the bathtub has turned black

  Black spots on the caulk that remain after cleaning or quickly come back may mean mould has grown into the old caulk or underneath it. The old caulk needs to be removed and the joint recaulked.

• Caulk is cracked, shrunken or pulling away

  The caulk around the bathtub, shower or bathroom sink has cracks or gaps, or has separated from the wall. The old caulk needs to be removed and the joint resealed.

• Gap between the kitchen countertop and the wall

  The old caulk between the countertop and the backsplash or wall, or around the rim of the kitchen sink, has failed and needs to be recaulked.

• Caulking the toilet base

  Caulk is applied along the front and both sides of the toilet base, leaving a short section at the back unsealed so that any leak underneath can be noticed later.

• Gaps around window frames, door frames or baseboards

  Cracks have opened between interior window frames, casing or baseboards and the wall, and need to be refilled with a paintable product.

• Aged caulk around exterior windows and doors

  The old caulk between exterior window or door frames and the exterior wall is cracked or coming off, and needs to be removed and recaulked in dry weather.

What the pro will do

1. 1

   Your handyman gets details on the address, property type, the locations and number of spots to be caulked, the approximate length of interior trim or exterior wall joints, surface materials, how blackened or cracked the old caulk is, the year the home was first occupied, and when the old caulk was last applied or any related records, and collects a wide shot and a close-up photo of each location. For exterior locations, your handyman also asks about the height in storeys, whether the area falls under strata management, and where the weep holes under the windows are.

2. 2

   Your handyman confirms whether the old caulk needs to be tested for asbestos first. If there is no lab report confirming the old caulk is asbestos-free, no record showing it was applied on or after December 30, 2018, and the home was not first occupied on or after that date, a qualified person must take samples for testing before it is scraped off. Testing and the removal of asbestos-containing materials are not part of this service and must be arranged separately.

3. 3

   Your handyman inspects the old caulk, surface materials, joint width, extent of mould and weather conditions on site, and starts only after confirming the products to be used, the scope of work and the cost. If softened walls, loose tiles, recurring leaks, widespread mould or other work outside the scope of this service is found, your handyman will stop first and let you know, and that part must be arranged separately.

4. 4

   Your handyman fully removes the old caulk and any residue, cleans and dries the surface according to the product instructions, adds backer rod where needed, then applies a continuous bead of caulk and tools it smooth. For exterior joints, the weep holes and drainage gaps in window frames are left open.

5. 5

   Your handyman takes away the old caulk and tape, and, based on the product actually used, tells you when the area can get wet, when it can be exposed to rain or painted, and how to look after it with routine cleaning.