Most commonly, caulk is used to repair flashing on a roof, seal around bathtubs and sinks, weatherize doors or windows, fill expansion joints and install or hide unsightly cracks in crown molding. There are a number of different caulks, colors, and dispensing methods from which to choose. Press the release mechanism to stop the flow of caulk. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. There are two main kinds of caulk – silicone and acrylic latex. Also, dampen a corner of a cloth rag with either water or alcohol, as appropriate. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Before you can use the caulk, you will need to cut the tip of the tube. Removing the old caulk (as needed) and preparing the surfaces is very important for an effective caulk application and repair. Then use a damp rag to wipe the surface down again. Gently squeeze the trigger to get the caulk flowing and then it’s ready to use. Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle if you need more precision and control. How to Fix Mortar Gaps in a Fireplace Firebox, How to Choose the Right Caulk for Your Next Project, How to Remove Old Caulk From a Tub, Shower, or Sink, How to Install a Soap Dish on a Tile Wall, Paint Interior Window Trim and Spruce Up a Room. To stop the flow of caulk, press the button under the shaft behind the needle. For caulk joints in corners, such as where wall tile meets a tub, sink, or countertop, a caulk removal tool works great. In reality, most people simply have never learned the correct way to apply caulk, and more often than not, the job ends up being a mess. Remove the Old Caulk. This can be done with your fingernail to ensure a tight seal, or with a wooden popsicle or craft stick. Instructions Choose the Right Caulk and Dispenser. Caulk can also be used on wider joints but must be accompanied by other elastomeric products to fill in the joint. Grout is most commonly used between tiles for example in a kitchen backsplash and caulk is used to fill space like the wall joint between the countertop and backsplash. For silicone caulk, you may just need to rip up enough that you can grab an end with a pair of needlenose pliers. Also, if you have a big job, like caulking all of your baseboards after a renovation, trying to use squeeze tubes will take forever and leave your hands cramping. Use latex caulking right on top of the silicon. Use a shop vacuum to remove all debris from the joint and the surrounding area. It is always better to use less caulk than too much. If it does have a foil seal, use something sharp and narrow (like a long nail) to puncture it. Continue around all 4 sides. Even tiny gaps in caulking can let water through, and you might not know you have a problem until it is severe. For wet areas, the nod goes to silicone caulk. If the caulk is brittle and weak, you may be able to rub it off by hand. The first step is to evaluate your project and choose the proper caulk for the job. Make sure to squeeze hard enough to force the caulk fully into the joint. Expert Interview. Caulk is a … Caulk is applied in areas where the joint is not perfectly sealed and to reduce air or water transition and it is the recommended method to fill cracks or joints up to 1/2 inch wide. Apply the Silicone Caulk. This article has been viewed 23,147 times. For silicone clean up, soak a rag with mineral spirits (such as turpentine) and wipe the surface down with it. Press the tip firmly against one corner of the window and apply caulk to the next corner in a continuous bead, just thick enough to fill the gap. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. That's why it's important to keep the caulking in good shape and to replace old c… Keep the joint dry before applying the new sealant. Once you’ve got the hang of it, move on to the actual caulking task. Cut the nozzle closer to the tip for a narrower caulk bead or farther down (toward the tube) for a wider bead. The easiest way to caulk is with a caulk gun. The caulking around a shower base or tub serves more than an aesthetic purpose. Step Three. If you paint caulk, it will take longer to dry. There are a number of rubber caulking tools readily available which work quite well to smooth the caulk. After running the bead, you’ll … I have done a review on a caulk that doesn’t crack or craze, I have been using it for a while and the results are good. When you need to caulk in a spot that's too tight for a caulk gun, try this: Cut a sharp angle on the end of a plastic straw, just as you'd cut the spout of a caulk tube. Squeeze the bottle with steady pressure so your bead will look uniform and neat. This will relieve tension to the gun and avoid a mess. For interior home repair caulking projects, use either a latex caulk or silicone caulk. The type of caulk gun or dispensing tool you use is also an important decision. Trim the nozzle at a 30 degree angle using a sharp craft knife. Caulk typically comes in three varieties: latex, silicone, and butyl rubber. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Open the caulk tube by cutting the tip of the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, using a utility knife, then insert a long, clean nail or wire into the nozzle to puncture the inner seal. Get to it within two to five minutes of application for best results. If you learn a few simple steps, though, your caulk jobs will look like they've been done by a pro. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/laying-down-perfect-bead, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-caulk-around-tub, http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_caulk_HT_PG_PA, http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/tool-tutorial-friday-how-to-use-a-caulk-gun/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article was co-authored by Kevin Turner. For exterior jobs, butyl rubber works great. Check the neatness of the line every 5 feet, and smooth it out with a damp rag or putty knife, if necessary. It will bond with a lot of different kinds of surfaces. Update. Remove the tape away slowly, and pull it away from the joint at an angle, not toward the joint. Continue the smoothing process until the entire taped section you're working on is finished. The caulk is supplied in tubes for use in a caulking gun. Then fill the straw with caulk using a caulk gun. The alcohol or water will serve as a lubricant and thinning agent as you smooth the joint. This way, you will cut the edges of the caulk. Keep in mind that these products will damage plastic surfaces. By using our site, you agree to our. Acrylic latex caulk shrinks up more than silicone. You can get squeeze tubes of caulk, but the selection is more limited, and they are harder to use. Make sure the tape is straight, and use long sections of tape, not short pieces. Caulks can be purchased in either squeeze tubes or in cartridges that are loaded into a caulk gun. Finally, clean the surfaces with a rag and rubbing alcohol. Allow the caulk at least 24 hours to cure before disturbing it or getting it wet. By using the ideal caulk type and applying it with the proper tools, caulking can be a home improvement project you complete without hiring a professional. To apply, use constant pressure and keep the caulk gun or tube moving at a steady pace to produce an even bead. If you find once you have painted the caulk with emulsion it cracks, you can go over the caulk with an oil-based undercoat, let it dry, then re-emulsion the caulk. Fold over one end of the straw and squeeze caulk out the other end. Use silicone caulk if you need a neutral-colored waterproof sealant. Bob Formisano is a licensed architect and builder with 30 years of experience in the industry. If you dislike the idea of getting caulk on your fingers, you can use a rounded craft stick (popsicle stick) instead of your finger, or wear a tight-fitting latex glove. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. There is a small trigger on the back of the caulking gun. Brush or vacuum away the old grout or caulk. Work on creating a steady flow and uniform bead. Learn some tips and tricks to lay down a smooth bead of caulk. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs. Both kinds of caulk need a clean surface, but if you’re using silicone, it’s imperative that you remove all debris and residue from the surface before you begin. Home improvement stores sell caulk remover products that will chemically remove old caulk. 15 July 2020. The smoother the initial application, the better the end results will be. When buying caulk make sure that the nozzle supplied with the tube is still attached. Without it you won’t be able to use it. Apply a bead of the latex caulking, then use your fingers dipped in liquid dish soap to spread it thinly over the surface of the silicon caulking. Keep a damp rag (dipped in water or mineral spirits) handy, for fast wiping of mistakes. Immediately remove the blue painter's tape used to mask the joint. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Before caulking, apply strips of painter’s tape vertically on both sides of the area you’re caulking to ensure that the line will be straight. Don’t get it wet. Don't forget to puncture the seal inside the tip. Press this with your thumb. Directions: Using a razor scraper, you need to glide it along the grout or caulk line from one end to the other. Then, insert a tube of caulk into a caulk gun, and clip off the plastic near the tip of the gun. Apply strips of blue painter's tape to mask off both surfaces at the point where you want the edge of the caulk bead to stop. In years past a do-it-yourselfer who wanted seal doors and windows with caulk without a caulking gun was in for a very messy experience at best. Acrylic latex caulking is good for wood, whereas polyurethane-based caulking is good for outdoor applications and windows. % of people told us that this article helped them. Step 5 Once the latex caulking has dried, you are now ready to paint it the color of your choice. There are caulk kits available for purchase that make smoothing out the bead easier. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Caulk-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Caulk-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3e\/Caulk-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2676393-v4-728px-Caulk-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"