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How to Recaulk a Bathtub With Linoleum Flooring

Kaye Morris

If your old bathroom caulk is cracked or split, you need to replace the caulk as soon as possible to prevent damage to your subfloor by water penetration. Caulk fills the gaps between the bathtub and the linoleum flooring to prevent water from seeping in between the two surfaces and rotting the subfloor. If the gap is not properly sealed, not only can the subfloor be damaged, but the linoleum will probably lift from the subfloor.

Caulk prevents water damage.
  1. Remove the old caulk with a caulk scraper of a utility knife.

  2. Dampen a clean rag with rubbing alcohol and clean the flooring and side of the bathtub in the area to be caulked. Allow the alcohol to dry completely.

  3. Cut the tip off a can of water and mildew resistant caulk. Be careful not to cut too much off the tip or the line of caulk will be too large, which creates waste and a mess. The hole in the tip should be about the size of finishing nail.

  4. Place the can of caulk in a caulk gun. Push the bar lever on the back of the caulk gun into the back of the caulk can to secure it.

  5. Squeeze the trigger on the caulk gun as you draw the tip of the caulk can along the gap in between the bathtub and the flooring, depositing a line of caulk in the gap. Keep the caulk gun in motion while squeezing the trigger so that the caulk does not clump in any single location.

  6. Wet your finger and run it gently down the caulk line to smooth it into place. You can also use an ice cube to smooth the caulk. If the caulk line did not completely seal the crack between the flooring and the tub, then wait a couple of minutes and add another line of caulk and smooth into place. It is best to add multiple narrow lines of caulk than to attempt one large one that may create waste.

  7. Allow the caulk to dry completely before using the bathtub or mopping the bathroom floor. Drying time depends on the temperature and humidity in the room.