Simple steps for replacing bathtub caulk

Most bathtubs are a one-piece design. They may be set into a wall and surrounded by tile or some other waterproof surface. The joint between the surround and the tub is a critical part of the installation and should be maintained. If the caulk is stained, cracked, peeling off or mildewed, it's probably time to replace it.

Some caulks can be pulled off easily. If you aren't one of the lucky people who can do this, you may have to resort to more drastic measures. Sometimes you can use a utility knife to cut down the edges and then a putty knife to pry it up and away. Be very careful not to cut yourself or the tub and surround. You can sometimes use a hair dryer to heat the caulk and maybe loosen it. There are also chemical softeners that can be applied, allowed to sit and then removed, along with the caulk.

Once the caulk is removed, you need to thoroughly clean the surfaces with bleach and water to remove mildew and other debris. Use a putty knife and/or scrubber to scrape away anything else. Let it dry.

When it comes to the caulk you use, get the best you can afford. It doesn't cost much, and a silicon-based, mildew-resistant caulk with Microban in it will last a long time and repel many germs and dirt.

Before applying the caulk, fill the tub with water and put on your swimsuit. Climb on in and then apply the caulk. This extra weight will make sure your seal is the best it can be.

If you have never applied caulk before, practice a little bit. Follow the package directions for setting up the caulk to use. Start with a short wall and apply a smooth, continuous bead of caulk. If it seems too blobby or thick, use your finger to smooth it out. If you still need help, apply masking tape along the edges to be caulked to prevent you from going too far, just as you would do for paint. Then, before the caulk has dried, you can pull the tape away and you will have a perfect line.

You can smooth your caulked joint with a wet finger as long as the caulk hasn't set. Make sure you clean up all messes before they have dried and cured.

To maintain the caulk, just clean it regularly when you clean your tub. Replace any loose areas as they occur.

Potato holder

Why does it always seem like you have no place to set down hardware when you are working on a ladder? Our guess is poor planning, but then most ladders don't have much space to hold parts anyway. One clever idea is to use a potato. Just cut a thick slice out of the middle of a spud. The potato is moist and will stick to the top step of the average ladder and won't slide off. You can stick nails and tacks and screws in the potato and, since it's a potato, they will stay put until you are ready to use them again. Now, that's clever! Heck, you could even wash the potato off and fry it up if you want!

Put vinegar to work

"Hard water" is a term used to describe water that has a high mineral content. These minerals won't harm you but sure can do a number on your appliances. When water is heated, especially, the minerals will separate out and become lodged in smaller areas inside toilets, dishwashers, faucets and lots of other places. A shower head, over time, can become so clogged that it is more of a trickle than a real shower of water. If you can get the shower head off, you can clean it with warm vinegar. If you have trouble removing it, just fill a plastic bag with vinegar and place it over the faucet so that the shower head sits in the bag. You can tie the bag to the pipe coming from the wall in order to secure it over the shower head, then let it sit for an hour or so. This will allow the vinegar to work its way into the shower head and dissolve the minerals that have built up inside. We bet you'll see an instant improvement in the flow of the shower head!

Super hints

Working under a car requires that you be able to slide around easily. A scrap of vinyl flooring can be an excellent surface, so save a scrap to set down and slide on when changing your oil or doing any other under-car maintenance you need to tend to.

Some spray lubricants come with applicators or tubes to help you get them into just the right spots. If you slip a rubber band around the bottle or can, then you can stick the applicators under that to keep track of them when they are not being used. You won't lose them with this method.

I've always liked the idea of attaching jar lids to the underside of shelves to hold hardware. The jars screw into the lids, and the hardware is right at your fingertips and doesn't take up any shelf space. This is also a great way to store things around the house, boat and travel trailer. Attach jar lids to the underside of shelves to store spices, bait and tons of other things you might need. They still leave your shelves free for other items, and aren't going to tip over with movement.

Q. We have a bricked planter box on the front of our home. Everything

we put in it dies. Do you have any ideas?

A. We aren't gardeners, but it seems there are three things to consider with planter boxes. First of all, it needs to have plenty of drainage. If it doesn't, then you need to have a few inches of gravel in the bottom so the roots don't sit in water when it rains. Also, the sun and heat can really make a planter a lot hotter than the ground around it, so make sure you are putting the right plants in for your conditions. Water is the other thing to consider. If you are unsure how much to water the planter, buy a small water-testing meter and test it every other day. That way you won't over water or under water the plants. And then, there are always plastic plants!

Q. We live in a rural area and were considering installing an in-sink disposal. Our neighbors advised against it because we are on a septic system. What are your thoughts?

A. You probably have a separate system for your kitchen sink. It's not a great idea, and you would be better off without having one. Start a compost pile. That's a better way to go for you.

Q. My bathroom counter is made from real marble. What can I do to clean it and shine it up? How can I protect it, also?

A. Stains can be removed from light shades of marble by making a compress of folded paper towels soaked in peroxide bleach. Lay the paper towel over the stain to lift it out. To shine it back up, use very fine abrasive powder made for marble and a buffer. There are also some good store-bought cleaners and polishers available through marble dealers.

Reader tips

I hired a repairman to work on my freezer, and I learned a neat trick. When he finished working on the unit, he put a sticker on the back that included the maintenance he had just done as well as other information for the next repairman. I thought it was such a good idea that I have put one of these stickers on a few other appliances I have. I note things like filter size, date of last lubrication or cleaning, and things like that. I even put the phone number of the repairman so I don't have to look it up the next time I have to call. It's a super idea that I think we all should do.

I upgraded my closet from vinyl-coated shelves to a built-in unit. I decided to use the old shelves in my workshop and garage. The shelves are perfect for holding a lot of my things, and the fact that they are wire and not solid mean I can hang lots of things from the edges and sides with "S" hooks. They are super and offer me a lot more storage space than before.

My dogs are really tough on my floors, but I have found a super material for making rugs to protect them. I use scraps of vinyl flooring. I have a dealer nearby, and he gives me remnants practically for free. I cut the scraps to fit and then use them as protective rugs and runners over the flooring. They are very easy to clean with a damp sponge, and when they get dull, I just replace them.

My car antenna is motorized and goes up and down when the car radio is turned off and on. I had noticed that it had begun to drag and squeak, so I decided to lubricate it. I wasn't sure what to use, but tried rubbing a piece of wax paper on it. It was handy and really has worked. It wasn't greasy, like some of the lubes might be, and it wasn't messy to use. No grease got on my car either, which was another bonus. - L.D.

I created a small herb garden in my son's old sandbox. He had stopped playing in it and I wasn't sure what to do, but after some thought, I mixed some potting soil into the sand and started planting herbs. The garden looks great now, and I have fresh herbs for cooking whenever I need them. They have grown so well that you can't see the original plastic sides of the sandbox either. Plus, I can move it if I need to when the weather turns colder in the fall.

Shop talk

Good ventilation in your bathroom can prevent mold, and the Heater/Fan/Light combo from Nutone does that and more. The adjustable vent is super handy, and the light source is available in incandescent and fluorescent. It's very quiet, can be installed almost anywhere and will help reduce mold and mildew in your bathroom with regular use. To learn more about this or any of the other vents available, see them at home centers and hardware stores, or online at www.nutone.com.

Alson's Fluidics spray technology saves water without decreasing your showering experience. The patented system is a high-performance spray with a low-flow usage of water. The thermal technology produces a larger spray, which stays warmer longer and feels super. It's easy to install on most showers just by switching heads, and is available in a variety of styles. To find a dealer or to learn more about the shower heads, visit the company online at www.alsons.com.

Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrell's Web site at www.thesuperhandyman.com.

ˆ© 2008, Cowles Syndicate Inc.