Tips & Tricks

Helpful Hints For Your Next Caulking Project

With a nickname such as "toolbox in a tube," you can quickly see that caulk can be a homeowner's best friend - it's cheap, it's easy to apply and it has a multitude of uses.

But once you choose the appropriate product for your project, there are many tips and tricks that you should know to make your project look like a professional did it.

Caulking Tips

• Most caulk jobs fail due to improper installation or incorrect product selection.




• A tight seal is important in keeping water out from around windows, doors, tubs and sinks. To get the best results you need a clean surface free of dust, dirt, soap residue, oil, old caulk and other foreign materials.




• Before using caulk in a squeeze tube, knead it with your fingers to get a smooth consistent bead.




• Weather can affect joint size. It's best to caulk between 50°F - 90°F.




• Caulking a clean straight line takes a little practice and patience. Take a practice run on a scrap piece of wood or cardboard before starting the job.




• One trick to help out is to use painter's masking tape. Tape off the areas on both sides of the joint to be caulked. Apply the caulk. Any excess caulk is now on the masking tape that can be pealed away leaving a nice neat bead.




• Tooling can improve the appearance of your caulk bead. Tool only enough to smooth the bead. Do not remove too much caulk when tooling.




• There are many different tools you can use to be successful. The most common is your finger. Wet your finger with water and run your finger down the caulking bead, pushing into the joint or crack. Wipe off excess caulk as it builds up on your finger in a rag or paper towel as you go. Ice cubes, spoons, spatulas, foam paintbrush and butter knifes can also be used.




• When using mineral spirits as a cleaner always use in a well-ventilated area and always follow the manufacturers' instructions.




• Out of reach areas can be a problem to caulk. A trick to try is taping a straw or tubing to the end of the nozzle.




• One cartridge of caulk can seal 2 windows, 4 cartridges can seal a foundation sill.




• Millwork not perfect? Hide unsightly gaps and cracks in baseboards, molding and trim by filling with caulk. Molding, baseboards and other trim may not have been installed properly or may have warped causing gaps to appear. By filling these cracks and gaps with an easy to use water based caulking such as Polyseamseal Acrylic Caulk with silicone, it gives the room a finished appearance.




• Never caulk the little openings in storm windows. These weep holes keep condensation from being trapped between the panes.