Contact Us Today!
Seattle (West of I-5)
(206) 522-1213
Send Email
Service Area Map
Seattle (East of I-5)
(206) 361-7304
Send Email
Service Area Map
Bellevue,
Sammamish, Renton
(425) 445-2444
Send Email
Service Area Map
Gig Harbor, Tacoma
(253) 851-9019
Send Email
Service Area Map
Redmond,
Woodinville, Kirkland
(425) 643-7304
Send Email
Service Area Map
Snohomish County
(425) 493-0097
Send Email
Service Area Map
Mr. Handyman How To Guide
How to Caulk a Tub or Sink
Water trickling between the edge of a tub or sink and the wall or floor is common source of serious damage to walls, floors and the wood that supports them. Caulking is the easiest way to seal against air and water. Use caulk to fill cracks between wood trim and your walls, inside the house and outside.
Steps:
- Clean the area to be caulked, removing dirt, loose paint and old caulk.
- Be sure the area is dry before you begin.
- Load a tube of caulk into a caulking gun, making sure it's well seated at both ends.
- Use a utility knife to cut the tip of the spout. Cut off as little as possible, taking into consideration the size of the 'bead' of caulk you need. Some people like to cut the spout at an angle, while others cut it straight; it doesn't make a big difference.
- If using caulk that comes in a cardboard tube, look for a second seal at the base of the spout. Insert a nail or awl through the spout to puncture the seal. Many caulking guns come with such a puncturing device. (Plastic tubes usually don't have a second, inner seal.)
- Hold the gun at a slight angle. If you're filling a crack, insert the spout if you can; otherwise, run it at the surface.
- Pull away from the bead slightly as you squeeze out the caulk, rather than push into it, which can be very messy.
- Use just enough caulk to do the job. (Experiment in an out-of-the-way area. You may find that you'll need less of a bead than you think.)
- Use your finger to gently press the caulk into the corner or crack. Use a damp towel or rag to clean off most of the excess caulk, then use a dry one to clean off the rest.
Tips:
Many types of caulk are available, including silicone, acrylic and latex. Silicone caulk is probably the longest-lasting, but does not take paint well.
While not extremely difficult, caulking can be time consuming and getting a nice, smooth finish takes practice. If you’d like some help with recaulking your sinks or bathtubs, please contact Mr. Handyman.
