How to Caulk Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

Copyright (c) 2010 Ron Hazelton

Copyright (c) 2010 Ron Hazelton

If you've ever tried caulking a kitchen sink or bathtub, you might have been frustrated with the mess or disappointed in the unprofessional result. But with a few tips, some practice and a handy product like Caulk Mate, you can easily achieve a seamless, professional-looking caulk job.

The first step is to acclimate the caulk. It's very important, especially with silicone, to allow the caulk to adjust to room temperature before applying it. Caulk that's too cold will be too stiff to flow smoothly out of the tube. And caulk that is too hot might become fluid or runny, which means it won't leave a smooth bead - a must for a professional finish.

Once the caulk is acclimated, you need to cut the tip of the caulk tube. Cut the nozzle close to the end, allowing for a smaller opening. You will find that a smaller opening helps keep you from overfilling the joint. It's also easier to cut more off of the tip than it is to try and work with a tip that's too large.

Once the tip is cut, load the tube into a caulking gun, and run a small test bead on some blocks of scrap wood to ensure that the opening is cut to the right size. You also want to practice using your caulk gun, to make sure you get a good feel for it and learn how to control the pressure.

Before you apply the caulk, use denatured alcohol to wipe away any grim, grease or dirt that could affect the way the caulk bonds with the surface. Once the alcohol has dried, you are ready to begin. Hold the caulk gun at a 45 degree angle and make one smooth, quick motion with squeezing the trigger with steady pressure.

You'll want to pull the caulk along the joint rather than push it; pulling it results in fewer blobs, since the caulk can move smoothly over any obstructionns. End the bead quickly so the excess product doesn't build up at the end of your bead.

The most important step in achieving a professional-looking and seamless caulking job is tooling. The easiest way to tool the bead is to simply use your finger to wipe away any excess caulk and make sure it's worked all the way down into the seam. This job can be messy, so consider using a product like Caulk Mate. You simply spray it onto the bead of the caulk and tool it with your finger. You'll get a smooth seam, and the excess caulk will wipe right off your finger, without any mess or stickiness left behind. When tooling the caulk, be careful to avoid excess tooling - scrape away too much of the caulk and you starve the joint of sealant (and waste a lot of caulk).

Again, it takes just a little practice to become a master at caulking. Your kitchen sink and bathtub or shower will have a seamless, professional-looking finish without the professional cost.

How to Caulk Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

By: Ron Hazelton

POST COMMENT

Dressing Up The Home With Vertical Blinds Instructions On How To Grab Budget But Required Components In Fixing Reflective Insulation For Any W Tips On How To Avail Cheapest But Vital Materials In Fixing Attic Insulation For Cold Weather Knowledge On How To Discover Low Priced But Crucial Products In Installing Basement Insulation For F Colonial Heights VA Real Estate Tips On How To Discover Cheap But Required Components In Installing Ceramic Insulation For Spring Ti Information On How To Buy Low Priced But Required Products In Creating Roof Insulation For Extreme W Stuff Envelopes For Money: Earn Money From Home Via Stuffing Envelope Jobs Tips On How To Avail Low Rate But Required Components In Creating Attic Insulation For Spring Season Installing A Home Wind Turbine To Save Money Steps On How To Take Great Value But Required Components In Fixing Ceramic Insulation For Rainy Seas When Do You Really Need To Call A Plumber? Here's Some Things To Look Out For When Hiring A Professional Plumber