Resealing around a bathtub

Before any resealing is done to prevent water damage and improve appearance, the joints between the bathtub and the wall must be prepared. Then you can apply Loctite® Clear Silicone to reseal the seams.

Scrape out old grout with an awl or knife. Remove old sealant by cutting into the middle of the old bead with a sharp utility knife.
Clean soap scum from joints with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth. Mildew can be removed with chlorine bleach.
Dry out deep joints with a blow dryer.
Before applying the new sealant, fill the tub with water without wetting the joint areas. (Otherwise water weight will cause cured seal to pull away when the tub is filled.) For neater beads, apply masking tape on both sides of the joint to be sealed. After cure, remove tape to allow a straight, clean edge.
Loctite^® Clear Silicone is a great choice for resealing the seams. Silicone is 100% waterproof, clear and remains flexible to absorb movement of the tub and panels. To begin, puncture tube and cut nozzle at an angle to a ¼” opening.
Push nozzle along the seam, squeezing out a constant bead. Leave undisturbed for at least 2 hours.

Pushing the silicone nozzle along the seam (versus pulling) insures the sealant penetrates the joint and is smooth in appearance.

Explore further projects, find advice and tips and tricks within our Build articles section.

Where to buy?