What to use to repair cracked caulk on stairway (on an exterior wall)?

L.s15182605
by L.s15182605

Our house is for sale, and the stairs look awful with these cracks that are on an exterior wall. Any ideas how to remove caulk and fix the cracks for someone who has not done this type of repair? I'd like to do it myself- not hire anyone. Thank you!

  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 06, 2017

    You can try white silicone for the cracks and paint over to hide them.

  • William William on Mar 06, 2017

    I agree! Sand lightly to smooth out the paint but not to remove it. Apply a bead of white caulk. Wet your finger and smooth out the caulk forcing it into the crack. You may not even have to paint.

  • L.s15182605 L.s15182605 on Mar 06, 2017

    Thanks- should I dig out the old caulking?

    • See 1 previous
    • L.s15182605 L.s15182605 on Mar 06, 2017

      thanks!

  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 06, 2017

    hummmm....what brand of silicon caulk are you using? I've yet to find a brand containing silicon caulk that would take paint.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dfm Dfm on Mar 07, 2017

      yes, most standard caulks you can paint over.....when ever i tried with a 100% silicon caulk the paint just made little droplets an never stuck.

  • Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom Jennifer | CrazyDiyMom on Mar 06, 2017

    You shouldn't have to remove the old caulking - it doesn't look thick and bunched up. It looks like it just cracked apart from the change in the heat/cold. Many of trim caulk jobs do that too in the winter. Just recaulk over it and you should be good to go!

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Mar 09, 2017

    I agree, do not have to remove old caulk, especially if your stairs are like mine and you would have to use a ladder on the steps to reach certain areas.

  • Adrian Manning Adrian Manning on Mar 10, 2017

    use a damp cloth wipe over the crack then use some caulk, fill in the crack smooth in to crack ,so you can't see it wait till its dry then undercoat then paint ,

    gone .

  • Mary Mary on Mar 18, 2017

    Use light weight (no need to sand) spackling. wipe on with a finger, wipe off excess before it dries with a piece of wet t-shirt material for a smooth finish.

    Let it dry. You may not have to paint at all.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jan 03, 2021

    Hi there, you can caulk those gaps. Start with a clean surface, so removing the existing caulk is very important. Scrape it out with a screwdriver or a putty knife. (If you run into stubborn caulk that you can't get loose, use a utility blade to score the top and bottom.) After all the old caulk is removed, re-caulk it with quality caulk. Make sure you use 100% silicone caulk. It’s more flexible and will expand and contract. Let it dry. Good luck.

  • I would remove the old caulk first for a neater job.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 10, 2023

    Clean the old caulking, Tape off the top so that the caulk does not get on the wall. Cut your caulking tube with a small opening, you can always make it bigger if needed. Caulk the crack and smooth with a wet finger. Let dry do not touch it until after dry.