Grout Repair
Cracked, missing or stained grout removed, refilled and sealed in showers and floors.
Serving Essex & Union County, NJ
Tub and Shower Caulking That Keeps Water Out
Moldy, cracked or peeling caulk cut out completely, the joint cleaned and dried, and new mold-resistant silicone laid in one clean bead.
- Written quote before any work
- Old caulk removed, never covered over
- Insured handyman company
Get a tub and shower caulking quote
Tub and shower caulking removes old, moldy or cracked caulk around a bathtub or shower and replaces it with new mold-resistant silicone sealant, so water stays out of the walls. Csiszer Property Maintenance, an insured handyman company serving Essex County and Union County, NJ, does it for homeowners, landlords and businesses, from one tub to every bathroom in a rental. The old bead comes out completely, the joint is cleaned and dried, and the new bead cures before anyone showers.
What Is Tub and Shower Caulking?
Tub and shower caulking seals the joints where the tub, shower pan, tile and trim meet and move, using flexible silicone sealant instead of rigid grout. It's one of our bathroom handyman services, and it never touches the pipes or valves.
Grout and caulk look alike but do different jobs. Grout fills the rigid joints between tiles. Caulk goes where two surfaces meet and move against each other: the line where the tub meets the wall, the inside corners of a shower and the gap around a tub spout. A tub full of water and a person is heavy enough to flex that joint every time it's used, which is why grout in that line cracks and why caulk is the right material there.
Caulk fails for predictable reasons: new sealant laid over old, a joint that was still damp, or a bead that never bonded to clean tile. A lasting job is slower than a quick bead from the hardware store, because the old caulk has to come out down to bare surfaces and the joint has to be dry first. When the grout between the tiles is the part that's cracked or missing, grout repair is the right job instead.
Bathtub caulking
The joint where the tub meets the tile or surround, the one that moves most and fails first.
Shower caulking at corners and pans
Inside corners and the line along a shower pan or base, where water sits after every shower.
Moldy caulk removal
Black or pink caulk cut out completely, so mildew isn't sealed in under the new bead.
Spouts, trim plates and doors
Gaps around tub spouts, valve trim and shower door frames sealed against splashes.
Sinks and vanity tops
The line where a vanity top or backsplash meets the wall, recaulked in the same visit.
Recaulking between tenants
Every tub in a unit resealed at turnover, so the next tenant doesn't move in with mildew.
When to Recaulk a Tub or Shower: 6 Signs
Recaulk when the bead is dark, cracked, peeling or pulling away, or when a stain shows up below the bathroom. These are the six we see most.
Black or pink spots that won't scrub off
Mildew growing inside the bead, not on top of it, means the caulk has to come out.
A gap between the tub and the wall
A thin shadow line where caulk pulled away lets water run behind the tile every shower.
Caulk that peels off in strips
It usually went over old caulk or soap film and never bonded to the tub or tile.
Splits at the inside corners
Corners move the most, so small cracks show up there first and grow each season.
A stain on the ceiling below
Failed caulk or a leak can cause it. If water keeps coming, a plumber checks the pipes first.
Loose tiles along the bottom row
Tiles that move near the tub can mean water got behind them, so the tile needs a look too.
How Our Tub and Shower Caulking Works, Step by Step
Our tub and shower caulking takes five steps: photos or a description, a review or a visit at no charge, a written quote, full removal of the old caulk, and a new bead left to cure.
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Share photos or describe the job
Text or upload close-ups of the caulk lines, one photo of the whole tub or shower and a photo of any stain on the ceiling below.
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We review, or visit if needed
We look for mildew under the bead, loose tile and signs of a leak. If the photos show enough, we write the quote; if they leave a question, we schedule a visit first, at no charge.
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Get a written quote and pick a day
You get a written quote before anything is booked. Approve it and choose a weekday between 8 AM and 5 PM.
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Remove, clean and dry the joint
The old caulk is cut and scraped out, residue and mildew are cleaned off, and the joint is dry before anything new goes in.
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Seal, tool and explain the cure
New mold-resistant silicone goes in as one continuous bead, tooled smooth. You hear how long to wait before using the tub or shower.
What's Included in Tub and Shower Caulking
Every caulking job includes full removal of the old bead, cleaning, new silicone and cure instructions. The only things left out are jobs New Jersey reserves for a licensed pro.
Included
- Removing the old caulk down to clean surfaces
- Cleaning mildew and soap film from the joints
- New mold-resistant silicone sealant
- Cure instructions before we leave
Not included: needs a licensed or certified pro
- Leaking pipes, valves or drains behind the wall: a licensed master plumber
- Replacing a faucet, spout, showerhead or drain: a licensed master plumber
- Installing or rewiring a bathroom exhaust fan: a licensed electrician
- Wall materials that test positive for asbestos: a licensed asbestos abatement contractor
New Jersey licenses plumbers through the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, and electrical work of 10 volts or more needs a contractor licensed by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
How Much Does Tub and Shower Caulking Cost?
Tub and shower caulking cost depends on the length of the joints, the number of tubs and showers, and how much old caulk and mold has to come out. Photos help us review the job, and the price is in writing before anything is scheduled.
Caulking is priced by the job, and most of the work is removal, not the new bead. Well-bonded old silicone, several layers from past quick fixes, or mildew that has soaked deep into the bead all take longer to get out cleanly, and skipping that step is what makes a new bead fail.
Landlords and property managers get the most from one visit when every tub in the building is quoted together. Homeowners can add a vanity top, a kitchen sink or bathroom accessories installation to the same trip.
| Factor | How it affects the price | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Length of the joints | Longer runs and surrounds with many corners take more removal and sealing | A standard tub vs. a walk-in shower with a bench |
| Number of fixtures | Each tub, shower or vanity adds its own removal and cure | One tub vs. every bathroom in a two-family house |
| Old caulk layers | Several layers or strongly bonded silicone take longer to remove | One old bead vs. three layers from past quick fixes |
| Mold severity | Surface mildew cleans off; stains inside the bead mean full removal | Light spots vs. black lines along the whole tub |
| Condition of the joint | Cracked grout or loose tile nearby may need repair before caulking | A clean joint vs. a loose bottom row of tile |
| Other jobs in the same visit | Grouping small bathroom jobs gets more done for one trip | Recaulking plus regrouting the shower floor |
For the early signs that caulk has already let water through, read our guide on when to recaulk a shower.
Recaulking Mistakes That Let Water Behind the Tile
Most caulk fails early because it went over old caulk, onto a damp joint or with the wrong product. Here's what to avoid, how to choose between cleaning and replacing, and how to get ready.
Six Common Shower Caulking Mistakes
Six mistakes cause most tub and shower caulk failures: new caulk over old caulk, sealing a damp joint, painter's caulk in a wet joint, caulking an empty tub, grout where caulk belongs and showering before it cures.
New caulk over old caulk
The new bead bonds to the failing one, not to the tub, and peels away with it before long.
Sealing a damp joint
Water trapped under the bead keeps mildew growing from the inside, where no cleaner can reach.
Painter's caulk in a wet joint
Acrylic caulk is made for trim. Joints that get wet every day need a sealant made for baths.
Caulking an empty tub
Many tubs flex down when filled. Sealing one empty can stretch the new bead the first time it's used.
Grout where caulk belongs
Grout is rigid. In the tub-to-wall joint it cracks as the tub moves, and water follows the crack.
Showering before it cures
Water on uncured silicone can weaken the bead. The wait is printed on the product, and we tell you.
Clean or Replace Moldy Caulk: How to Decide
Clean it when the mildew sits on the surface; replace it when the stain is inside the bead or the caulk is loose. Our guide Black Mold in Shower Caulk goes deeper.
Clean it when
- The spots wipe off with a bathroom cleaner
- The bead is still soft and fully stuck down
- There's no gap along the tub or corners
- The ceiling below has no stain
Replace it when
- Dark stains stay after a good cleaning
- The bead is cracked, hard or peeling
- A fingernail slides in behind the caulk
- Water marks show up on the ceiling below
Before Your Recaulking Visit: A Quick Checklist
Six small things make the job cleaner and help the bead last. Not sure whether it's caulk or pipes? Read handyman vs plumber NJ first.
- Plan for another bathroom, or a wait, during the cure
- Skip long showers in that bathroom the night before
- Tell us about any stain on the ceiling below
- Tell us if any tile near the tub feels loose
- Clear bottles and caddies off the tub ledge
- Add other bathroom jobs to the same visit
Why Choose Csiszer Property Maintenance for Tub and Shower Caulking
Choose us for recaulking because one insured team removes the old caulk completely, flags a possible leak before sealing, and puts the price in writing first.
Insured at the tub line
Tubs and showers in homes, rentals and businesses are recaulked by an insured handyman company.
One quote for the building
Photos of each bathroom are reviewed, and every tub in a building goes on one written quote.
Old caulk fully removed
The old bead comes out down to clean surfaces, so the new one bonds to the tub and the tile.
Leaks flagged, not sealed in
If a stain points to a pipe, you hear it first, so a licensed plumber can check before we seal.
One trip for the bathroom
Caulk, grout, a loose tile and a new towel bar can all be handled and quoted in the same visit.
Mold-resistant silicone only
Tubs and showers get a mold-resistant silicone made for wet areas, never acrylic painter's caulk.
Tub and Shower Caulking Questions, Answered Straight
These are the questions people ask most before recaulking. For other jobs in the room, see all our bathroom services.
How much does tub and shower caulking cost in New Jersey?
It depends on the length of the joints, the number of tubs and showers, and how much old caulk and mold has to come out. Send photos or describe the job: if the photos show enough, you get a written quote; if it needs a closer look, we visit first, at no charge. Either way, the price is in writing before anything is scheduled.
Can't I just clean the moldy caulk?
Sometimes. If the spots wipe off and the bead is still stuck down, cleaning works. If the stain is inside the caulk or it's pulling away, it has to be replaced. Our guide on black mold in shower caulk explains the difference.
When can I shower again?
It depends on the sealant. Silicone has to cure before it gets wet, and each product prints its cure time on the label. We tell you the exact wait for the product used before we leave.
Who recaulks tubs and showers in Essex County, NJ?
Csiszer Property Maintenance, an insured handyman company serving Essex County and Union County, NJ, recaulks tubs and showers. New caulk over old is the most common reason a bead fails, so the old one is cut and scraped out, and the joint is cleaned and dried before any new silicone goes in.
There's a stain on the ceiling below. Is it the caulk?
It can be failed caulk or a leak. If the stain grows when nobody showers, or keeps coming back after the tub is sealed, a licensed plumber checks the pipes first. Our guide on handyman vs plumber in NJ explains who handles what.
Should I use silicone or acrylic caulk around a tub or shower?
For tubs and showers, a mold-resistant silicone sealant made for wet areas. Acrylic painter's caulk works on trim, but it breaks down in joints that get wet every day.
Can you fix the faucet or the drain too?
No. Anything connected to the water supply or drain is done by a licensed master plumber, as New Jersey law requires. We seal around the fixtures once any plumbing work is done.
How often should a tub be recaulked?
There's no fixed schedule. Recaulk when the bead darkens, cracks, peels or pulls away. Running the bathroom fan after showers and wiping the joint dry help a new bead last longer.
Can you recaulk every unit before a new tenant moves in?
Yes. Landlords and property managers can share photos of each bathroom, we visit at no charge if needed, and you get one written quote for the whole building, with every tub resealed during the turnover.
Can you fix grout and tile in the same visit?
Yes. Cracked grout is handled as grout repair and loose or cracked tiles as tile repair, and both can be quoted together with the caulking.
Still have a question about your tub or shower?
Send it with a photo. We answer by phone, text or email, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Related Bathroom Services
If the grout is cracking, a tile is loose, or you need a towel bar or cabinet put up, one of these fits better.
Tile Repair
Cracked, chipped and loose tiles cut out and replaced with the closest match.
Bathroom Accessories Installation
Towel bars, holders, medicine cabinets and rods anchored solidly to any wall.
Request a Free Tub and Shower Caulking Quote in Essex & Union County
Send close-ups of the caulk lines, one photo of the whole tub or shower and any stain on the ceiling below, or describe the job, and request your free tub and shower caulking quote. If the photos show enough, you get a written quote; if the job needs a closer look, we schedule a visit first, at no charge.
- Call or text (551) 343-7074
- Text photos to (551) 343-7074
- csiszerpm@gmail.com
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Insured
Request a tub and shower caulking quote