Silicone sealants are widely used across the world! There are many advantages to using silicone for caulking purposes, from its sheer durability to the different materials it can bond, such as glass. Eventually, the caulk will need to be replaced. In order to do this, the dried silicone will need to be removed first from the relevant surface.
To remove dried silicone from glass, a scraping tool or blade can be used to detach the sealant from the glass surface, allowing the silicone to be stripped away. Heating the caulk can also soften it to aid in the removal process. To remove the remaining traces of silicone from a glass surface, mineral spirits can be used.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the lifespan of silicone and the signs that silicone caulking needs to be replaced. Of course, the first step to replacing caulking is to remove the existing dried silicone from the glass surface – and we’ll explain just how to do that in seven simple steps!
How Long Does Silicone Last?
Silicone sealants are commonly used to bond various materials, from plastic to metal to glass. There are many ways this rubber-like substance can be used around your house for caulking windows, showers, and more.
There are many advantages to using a silicone sealant around the home. In terms of application alone, silicone is easy to use due to its consistency. Once it has dried, silicone is a long-lasting sealant that has a rubber-like texture.
Around your home, silicone will be used in areas like the bathroom or kitchen to prevent moisture damage. That is because silicone caulk is resistant to factors like temperature and mildew. Due to this, silicone caulk is ideal for the aforementioned areas of the house.
Furthermore, due to these properties, silicone caulk can help prevent bacteria from building up in the bathroom or kitchen. In turn, this prevents the growth of fungus and mold in these areas with excess moisture. However, while it is a highly durable material, silicone doesn’t last forever.
There are many factors that determine how long silicone sealant will last. External factors like the humidity level and cleaning practices can affect the lifespan of silicone. How it was applied, and the condition of the surface upon application also affect how long the caulking lasts.
In general, silicone sealant products typically last for up to twenty years. However, dependent on the above-mentioned factors, you may need to replace your silicone caulk after only five years. Before you begin removing the old, dried silicone, you should assess it first to see if a replacement is needed!
Inspecting the Condition of Dried Silicone
Before you get ahead of yourself and begin removing dried silicone around your house, you should assess it to ensure that it actually needs to be replaced. Keep reading as we break down a few signs that it’s time to replace your silicone caulking!
#1: The Silicone Caulk is Dry and Cracking
A clear sign that your silicone caulk needs to be replaced is when you notice the texture of the silicone now looks dry. It may even have started cracking. Though there are many advantages of using silicone caulking around your home, dried and cracking silicone will nullify these benefits.
#2: Pieces of Silicone Caulk are Missing
Once dried silicone sealant begins cracking, pieces will eventually start to go missing, leaving gaps in the caulking. This is an extended effect of dried and cracking caulk that further invalidates the advantages that a silicone sealant offers.
#3: There Are Signs of Mold and Mildew
As we mentioned earlier, silicone caulking is used to prevent the buildup of bacteria and the growth of mold and mildew. When you notice these issues around your silicone caulking, it’s a sign that the caulking is no longer doing its job and that a resulting water leak has developed.
#4: The Wrong Type of Silicone Caulk Was Used
In this article, we mentioned that silicone caulking could last for up to two decades in the right conditions. However, when you use the wrong type of silicone caulk for a certain application, it can begin to deteriorate within the first year. You should always ensure the silicone sealant you purchase is suited to your needs.
How to Remove Dried Silicone from Glass in 7 Steps
Regardless of why you’re replacing silicone sealant, the first step to replacing it is removing the old silicone caulk.
#1: Gathering Your Supplies
To remove dried silicone from glass, you’ll need a few supplies! For starters, you’ll need a damp cloth, gloves, clean water, and your hairdryer. You’ll also need mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol to clean the glass from all traces of the dried silicone sealant.
To successfully remove all the old silicone caulk from a glass surface, you’ll also need a sharp knife, a scraping tool, and a blade to assist you in removing the old caulk. Lastly, you’ll need a nylon dish scrubber for this process. Once you have gathered your supplies, you’ll be ready to remove the dried silicone.
#2: Cleaning the Surface
Before you start removing the old silicone caulk, you’ll need to clean the area. To do this, use a damp cloth with clean water to wipe the area down and ensure that the surface is clean.
#3: Loosening the Silicone Sealant
Using a knife or razor blade, you’ll need to cut one side of the silicone sealant. This will help loosen the sealant so that you can peel away sealant. The success of this initial step ultimately depends on how firmly the silicone sealant is bonded to the glass.
If the silicone sealant is quite loose, you’ll likely be able to remove the majority of it using your scraping tool, knife, or razor blade. When using these tools to remove silicone caulk, you should position the blade at the base where the silicone sealant meets the glass surface. Be careful not to scratch the glass.
#4: Heating the Silicone Sealant
If you find the silicone caulk is still largely fixed in place, and you’re struggling to remove it, you can heat the caulk to further soften it. To do this, you can use a hairdryer. Point the hairdryer to the silicone caulking for short bursts, pausing to test whether or not the caulk has softened.
As the silicone is heated, it will soften and be easier to remove. Once you go back in with your knife and scraping tool, it should be easier to remove most of the remaining silicone sealant.
#5: Scrubbing the Remaining Silicone Sealant
Once you’re done removing the majority of the silicone, you can use the nylon dish scrubber to scrape away pieces of the remaining silicone. To do this, wet the area using clean water, then proceed to gently scrub the loose silicone with the dish scrubber.
#6: Removing the Last Traces of Silicone Sealant
Once most of the caulk has been removed using the above steps, only traces of the silicone sealant will remain. To remove these traces from the glass, you’ll want to use your hairdryer and your mineral spirits to successfully remove the glass.
Start by heating the silicone traces the same way you did earlier. Once you’ve done this, you can use a sponge or cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to target the remaining traces of the silicone. This will soften the traces, allowing you to remove them with a cloth or sponge.
#7: Cleaning the Surface (Again)
Once you’ve successfully removed the dried silicone sealant, it’s time to clean the glass again. To do this, use a combination of warm water and the products you would normally use to clean your glass surfaces. Finally, you must rinse the glass surface with water before drying the area – which should now be silicone-free.
Conclusion
Even though silicone sealant is a highly durable product, it doesn’t last forever. When it’s time for the inevitable replacement, you’ll first need to remove the existing silicone caulk. In this article, we looked at how to do just that in seven steps!
