The Fix-It Playbook — How to Recaulk a Tub or Shower | 5-Page PDF | 2026 Edition

Cracked, peeling, or moldy caulk lets water slip behind the wall — the quiet start of rot and a big repair bill. A fresh bead is a $10 afternoon that protects the whole wall.

Inside: Why a $10 bead protects a $10,000 wall · The honest cost comparison · Step 1: Caulk vs. grout — know the difference · Step 2: Pick the right caulk · When to stop and call a pro instead · What you'll need · Troubleshooting · What the repair tech won't tell you.

Doing it yourself: a tube of quality caulk is $6–10, plus a few cheap tools — an afternoon, mostly drying time. Calling a pro: $150–300 for a handyman to do exactly this.

5 pages of labeled diagrams, parts lists and real numbers — no filler, no 40-minute video. Instant PDF download: print it for the garage or follow it on your phone with the parts in hand. Yours to keep, no subscription.

Need more than this one repair? The Bathroom Repair Kit bundles 5 bathroom guides for $14, and the Complete Library is all 24 guides — 117 pages — for $49.