| Sometimes mould can grow under the caulk or silicone sealant that is applied in the gap between the bath and the wall. There is only one way to fix this problem and that is to renew the caulk.
Before you begin, you need to purchase replacement caulk. The reason for this is that as soon as the area has been prepared you need to re-caulk immediately to prevent mould spores settling on the surface. I recommend the Selleys Bathroom Sealant for this job. It`s a silicone that`s specially formulated to resist mould and mildew. Check it out at your local Mitre 10 store.
To begin you need to scrape out all the old caulking. I usually use an old blunt screwdriver for this job but I`ve found over the years that the tool required can vary with the task in hand (eg. nails, chisels and putty knives can also be used.) A general rule of thumb is to use a tool sharp enough to get the old caulk out without scratching the bath tub or damaging the wall. Sometimes an old toothbrush or nail brush dipped in mineral turpentine is useful for getting rid of the last few bits.
Next, make sure that all traces of soap and soap scum are removed. For this task I use mineral turpentine, an old paint brush, clean rags and a putty knife. Brush along the crevice using the old paint brush dipped in the mineral turpentine.
Then wrap the rag around the blade of the putty knife and use it to dry out the crevice. Check carefully to ensure that all surfaces are clean and free of soap residue, oils and grease. Repeat the operation if necessary.
Once the area is clean, swab it with household bleach. (Adhere to the usual safety precautions required when using chlorinated bleach.) The idea of the bleach is to remove or kill off any mould spores that may have survived the cleaning process.
Now apply the sealant in accordance with the manufacturer`s instructions. This basically means applying the sealant around the edge of the bath to fill in the crevice between the bath and the wall. Apply the sealant in a continuous, steady flow pushing sealant ahead of the nozzle to achieve a filled, void free joint. Be careful not to apply too thickly, ideally the silicone bead should be between 6 and 12mm thick when finished. (Please follow the instructions from the manufacturer as application directions may vary between brands.)
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