ᐅ Replace cracked silicone sealant joints

Hello,

Settling in several areas of our house has caused the silicone joints to crack.
Yesterday, I tried to repair the first section in the utility room and completely removed and re-did the silicone joint on one wall. However, removal was more difficult than expected because the vertical side couldn’t be properly cut with the joint cutter; instead, it pushed into the cavity between the tile and the tile baseboard. So, I had to remove not only the silicone in the joint but also the silicone from the cavity behind it. The silicone sticks very firmly to the underside of the tile baseboard and the wall behind it. In some places, I could only remove it little by little using needle-nose pliers. Considering how long it took me to do 3 meters (10 feet) of wall, I estimate it would take days to do all the joints in the house. That can’t be right. Are there other methods? Does a multifunction tool with a segmented saw blade or scraper work better than a joint cutter?
Has anyone ever tried applying a new layer of silicone with a larger joint triangle over the old silicone joint?

Musketier schrieb:

Does a multi-tool with a segmented saw blade or scraper work better than a joint cutter?

Yes, once you get used to handling it.

Musketier schrieb:

Has anyone tried applying a new layer of silicone with a larger joint triangle over the old silicone joint?

I have – not good, because eventually it catches up with you.

Bauexperte schrieb:

Me – not good, because it will catch up with you eventually.

That would of course be unfortunate.

Musketier schrieb:
That would of course be unfortunate.

Sorry – I was a bit brief earlier because I was just about to head into an appointment.

By "postpone," I mean that you would delay the labor-intensive removal of the silicone until later, when you add more silicone, instead of removing everything now. The joints will always "move," so they will always need to be renewed from time to time.

Patching with silicone is also possible if there are only small detachments; for continuous cracks, I would avoid it… precisely because the joint moves.

I have removed old silicone, for example, using those round carpet knives; it works really well.

Bauexperte schrieb:
Sorry – I was brief earlier because I was about to head into an appointment.

No problem… I know the feeling.

Bauexperte schrieb:
By "reapply" I mean that you are just postponing the time-consuming removal of the silicone until later, when you will add more silicone instead of removing it all now. The joints will always experience movement, so they will need to be renewed from time to time.

I thought the large cracks mainly appear during the first year due to settling. If it happened every year, it would be even worse if I had to remove all the silicone from the cavity each time.
The first cartridge lasted about 1.5 meters (5 feet).

Bauexperte schrieb:
I removed old silicone, for example, using these rounded carpet knives; works perfectly.

I had the knife in my hands yesterday. I first need to check where I put the blades.

Musketier schrieb:

I thought the major cracks mainly appear during the first year due to settling.

Correct; after that, the joints continue to move due to the change between cold and warm seasons. However, you don't need to renew them every year. The second time maybe after 5 years, the third time after 9 years. It will never completely stop. Not least because you will probably update the flooring style over time anyway.