Tip one:
Since you are replacing old caulk, you are going to need to first remove the old caulk. Depending on what type of caulk was previously used you might need to use a caulking gun, a razor blade, a screwdriver, needle nose pliers, or a hair dryer just to get the old caulking out of the tub or shower.

Tip two:
Another thing that you need to be aware of is that if the old caulk is hard feeling it is probably a water based caulk and to remove that you are most likely going to use needle nosed pliers to remove it, but if you are still having a hard time you can use a hair drier to warm up the caulk and then use the needle nosed pliers to remove the old caulk. But you need to be careful not to overheat the bathtub or shower because it can cause permanent damage. If the old caulk feels a little rubber then it is a silicone based caulk and you will most likely need to use a razor blade to remove it. When using the razor blade you are going to want to hold the razor at a low angle and then cut the caulk at the edges, being careful not to scratch the tub or the shower. After you have cut the edges you can use the needle nosed pliers to remove the old caulk.

Tip three:
Once you have gotten all of the old caulk removed you are going to want to make sure that the area is completely clean and thoroughly dry. When cleaning the area be sure to use some type of vacuum or brush to get the holes that were created. You will also need to use a good cleaning agent to make sure that all the dirt and grim has been removed.

Tip four:
After you have washed the area with warm water and cleaner you are going to want to wash the area with a type of alcohol based product so that you can remove any of the film that was left behind by the old caulk. The reason for this is that the new caulk will not bond to the old caulk so the area must be spotless and thoroughly dry.

Tip five:
If you are worried about mildew growth you can spray the area down with a mildew remover before applying the new caulk to be sure that no new mildew grows along the seam.

Tip six:
The next thing that you need to know about is if there is any water damage in the area that you are replacing the caulk you should repair the water damage before replacing the caulk, but if you do not plan on re tiling the area you should let the area dry for a few days depending on how wet the area is from the water damage.

Tip seven:
When replacing old caulk you are going to want to make sure that you pick the right kind of caulk for the job. Caulk is made for different reasons and comes in a variety of types and colors. If you are replacing caulk in the bathroom you want to use bathroom caulk because it is mildew resistant.

Tip eight:
When applying the caulk you want to make sure that you keep a roll of paper towels nearby and a bucket of water so that you can clean your hands after pushing the caulk into the seam. To do this you should dip your finger into the bucket of water and run your finger along the edge of the seam and then wipe your hands on a moistened paper towel.