[nugentoffer]

At the corner of my bathroom walls, there has been cracks in the caulk forming where the tiles meet. Fearing mildew buildup, and through recommendation of the rep. at home depot, I purchased a caulk removal tool and silicone sealant for my bathtub and tiles.

The problem is that the existing caulk or silicone (I can't really tell which) has hardened up so much that I have a very hard time removing it, even with the caulk removal tool.

Several questions :

1. Is it OK to just apply the silicone over the existing caulk?

2. If not OK, what chemical or method do I use to remove it?

THanks in advance for any advice you guys can offer. :D

[WallyHelps]

If the caulk is hard, then it is not silicone. You must remove it before applying the good stuff (silicone). I'd suggest scraping it with a hard, plastic scraper of some kind--maybe try a car ice scraper. You might be tempted to use a utility knife or other metal scraper, but be careful--it could leave black marks on the tile/tub.

Once you've scraped off all you can, I'd see if you can find a "caulk remover" solvent of some kind. This will get things super-clean, which is what you need for a permanent caulk job. The prep-step is the most important part.

Then just apply the new caulk as instructed.

Best of luck,
WalllyH