How to Remove Sealant From Glazed Tile That Has Dried

Once cured, sealants can be difficult to remove from tile.

Due to their durability and fact that they are waterproof, homeowners commonly use sealants to protect tiles, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Silicone sealants and some caulk sealants can be difficult to remove once they have dried. However, with the proper techniques to treat the dried or cured sealant, you should be able to remove it from your glazed tile.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy work gloves
• Face mask
• Razor blade
• Small bowl
• Oven cleaner or acetone
• Cotton pad
• Painter's scraper
• Mild dish soap

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Instructions

1. Put on a pair of heavy work gloves and a face mask. This will protect you from cuts and fumes. If possible, open any windows in the area where you will be working to increase ventilation.

2. Scrape away the silicone sealant or caulk from between the tiles or on the surface of the tiles with a painter's scraper. Avoid gouging or scratching the tiles by working slowly.

3. Fill a small bowl with oven cleaner or acetone. Use acetone if you want to remove a non-silicone sealant. If you want to remove a silicone sealant, which is much more difficult to remove, fill the bowl with an alkaline-based oven cleaner.

4. Wet a small cotton pad with the cleaner and gently dab it on the remaining sealant.

5. Wait for up to an hour for the sealant to soften.

6. Scrape the rest of the sealant away with the scraper.

7. Wash the tiles with mild dish soap, rinse them to make sure that all of the sealant is gone and allow the tiles to air dry.

References

• Ask the Builder; Caulk Removal; Tim Carter