Caulk Basics

Caulk Basics

Not too happy with your bath tub or wish you knew how to caulk the bathroom, how to caulk a shower or how to caulk a sink to give it a brand new look? No problem. Here are some important points to remember pertaining to handling of a caulk gun with silicone caulk, removing caulk and basically how to caulk the bathroom to give it a much-needed facelift.
If you're depending on a builder or a contractor to do the caulk ‘project' for you, be warned that they might use the least expensive type of caulk or perhaps even use a very low quality caulk for your project. Low quality caulk will crack, mildew or discolor rather quickly, so, it's best that you use a proper caulk gun to apply or remove the current caulk before you learn how to caulk a shower or how to caulk a sink.

Preparing to caulk

Proper preparation before you start to caulk is important if you want a strong bond. Removing caulk if you discover that you have performed the caulking wrongly can be troublesome. A strong bond between the tub or tile surface is very important – as important as it is to use the right caulk gun and using high quality caulk. Clean the surrounding area up and make sure the surface of the place that you're going to caulk is free from dust, dirt, grease, grime, soap, oil, old caulk and other materials that may hinder proper caulking.

Removing old caulk when silicone sealant was previously used can be tricky. Make sure the entire surface area is completely free of old caulk and other residue before you start to caulk the place.

Starting to caulk

Before you caulk, you may have to perform some caulk removal. Caulk removal, as mentioned is easy if silicone sealant is not present. Apply some caulk remover while removing old caulk, to soften the old caulk. If the application of caulk remover is not working, try using a heat gun to the old caulk or a blow dryer.

Scrape the old caulk off

Once the old caulk is soft, use a tool to scrape or cut off the old caulk at the seams. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the tub or the sink.

Rub alcohol to remove old caulk completely

This is a very important step if you want to make sure there's a strong bond. Rub alcohol around the old caulk area to ensure that any foreign residue or old caulk is thoroughly removed from the area. Take particular care about removing mildew.

The right weight before you caulk

Fill the tub or sink with water first before you start to caulk the edges. This stimulates the weight of a human being within the tub, ensuring that the caulk will fit the joint perfectly with or without anyone inside the tub.

Applying the caulk

Apply caulk by squeezing the tube of caulk, apply firm pressure and press the caulk to the surface to make sure it touches the surfaces of the tub or sink. Allow 24 hours for the new caulk application to dry before you use it.