Step By Step Process Of Removing Old Caulk From Windows
Detaching the pre-existing caulk is a very simple task but it requires the patience and little bit of time of the user. Stripping down the old caulk by using the right tools is an easy way to detach the caulk and once the users detach the caulk then they need to do some finishing touches that can easily make the uncovered gap to be completely ready for accepting the new caulk. The users can easily remove the caulk from windows at home by gathering the below-mentioned materials and then following the below-defined steps:
Materials Required
- Surface Cleaner And/Or Soap Scum Remover
- Paper Towels Or Microfiber Cloths, Heat Gun
- Utility Knife, Caulk Remover, Putty Knife
- Needle-Nose Pliers And/Or Tweezers, Fan
- Steel Brush, Toothbrush, Painter's Tool
- Bleach Or Mold And Mildew Killer And Space Heater
Step I: Make The Pre-existing Caulk Easier To Detach
- Clean Up The Surface: Start by cleaning up the surface of the window by using the soap scum or the surface cleaner. In order to make the removing process easy clean off the window surface by using the scum or the surface remover or the users can combine both of the ingredients. The cleaning process is mandatory to get rid of oil buildup or any other liquid stains.
- Determine The Caulk Hardness: Find out the hardness of the pre-existing caulk. The users need to pick up the small-sized area so as to examine it by using the utility knife and make the minute trim within its trip so as to reach the texture of the caulk. The water and the latex-based caulk are very hard and brittle in nature and thus are more prone to getting chipped while the removal process. The silicone-based caulks are soft in nature and those type of caulks can be detached easily.
- Use The Utility Knife: The users need to hold the utility knife adjacent to the nearby surface and then place the utility knife tip within the line of caulk and then slice its opening adjacent to the corners. They need to repeat the same procedure with the other nearby surface. If in case the caulk is very hard then they need to heat up the caulk by using the heat gun so as to soften the caulk.
- Use The Caulk Remover: The users can also soften up the caulk by using the caulk remover. They can apply the caulk remover adjacent to the pre-existing caulk. Then they need to repeat the same process so as to cover up the entire line of the caulk and then extend it to all pre-existing caulk surface. Then allow the caulk remover to sit over the old caulk for few hours and for hard caulk allow the caulk remover to sit for near about one day.
Step II: Remove The Pre-existing Caulk
- Use The Knife: Start by working slowly while detaching the pre-existing caulk, as detaching the caulk fastly can result up in the scratches or the deep cuts within the surface of the window. The users need to use the utility knife and hold the knife perpendicular with the line of the caulk and also place the utility knife adjacent to the nearby surface. Then they need to edge down the corner and the knife even to the beneath surface of the caulk and then lift up the knife adjacent to the line of caulk so as to separate within the surface.
- Use The Pliers: Then the users need to use the pliers so as to detach the broken bits. When the users push down the knife adjacent to the caulk line will come off in the strips. By doing so the smaller caulk pieces may get broken off and will rest within the gap surface. Then they need to detach the caulk pieces by using the pliers or the tweezers if in case the gap is small.
- Use The Painter's Tool: Finally use the putty knife so as to detach the remaining caulk pieces in the long even strokes. The users can also use the toothbrush, steel wool or the painter's tool to get rid of the leftover caulk residue over the surface of the window. The users can also use the heat so as to soften up the hard bits of the caulk.