ROSIE ON THE HOUSE

Make caulking easier with these tips

Mar 28, 2024, 3:00 PM

After cutting the tip to accommodate the right diameter of caulk for your project, use a nail or th...

After cutting the tip to accommodate the right diameter of caulk for your project, use a nail or the caulk gun piercing tool to break the membrane at the base of the cap. (Rosie on the House Photo)

(Rosie on the House Photo)

Whether you are caulking a new joint or replacing worn-out caulking, the only difference will be in the prep.

The Prep! It’s not all in the prep, but any good caulking project starts there.

Begin all caulk projects by making sure the surface that the caulk will touch is clean.

New caulking projects should be free of dust, oils, and excess water, as these will prevent the caulk from adhering to the surfaces.

Removing old caulking may require a painter’s knife to scrape away bits of old caulk and the yucky grime that may have built up over the years. You can clean the area further by whipping up a homemade cleaner recipe. Or you can use an over-the-counter household cleaner to cut the dirt and kill any mildew lurking in the cracks.

There are two schools of thought about using tape to guide the caulking bead. Read on a bit, and then you can decide how to proceed.

The Tools:

Any trip down the caulking aisle of your favorite hardware store can be daunting. There are dozens of choices. For our purposes today, we will stick with latex or silicone.

Let’s look at how a caulking gun works and how to apply a bead, i.e., a caulk line.

Start by placing the tube of caulk in the barrel of the caulk gun. The gun’s handle-like trigger activates a plunger that pushes the caulking out of the tube. Make a 45-degree cut at the tip of the tube

far enough down to leave the opening close to the diameter of the caulking line you want. There is a protective membrane where the tip meets the tube, which will need to be punctured. (I usually

use a 16-penny nail from my nail bag to do this).

Making the ‘Bead’

Now, you are ready to apply the caulk. Once you start depressing the trigger, the caulk will come out of the tip. By depressing the trigger smoothly and slowly, the caulk will ease out of the tube making a bead of caulk. Quick and jerky movement will cause the caulking bead to bunch up and thin out, making the caulk line less uniform and more difficult to smooth out with your finger.

Tip: Smooth and even motions with the trigger and the gun will result in a cleaner caulking line.

Your first pass with the caulk gun should do the trick of filling the gap you are caulking. Stand back and inspect the caulk line to determine if you need to smooth out bumps. Spread the caulk to fill the areas the bead missed due to uneven gaps or cracks.

Whether you have used tape to guide the caulk or not, smooth the caulk using your finger (with or without a tight-fitting plastic glove) to create an even surface along the line. Keep a damp cloth handy to wipe any excess off your finger (don’t let it build up)

For latex caulk, water works as an effective solvent.

For silicone caulk, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits will work just fine as the solvent.

If you have used tape, keep as little caulking on the tape as possible. Remove the tape when the bead is smoothed to where you want it.

Tape Tip: Be sure to pull the tape up before the caulk has hardened. If it has hardened, it will likely come up with the tape when pulled off. This would require a patch or starting over—no one wants that!

To Store Caulk

• Put that 16-penny nail back in the tip of the tube before you put it away.
• Release the plunger on the gun to keep pressure off the tube, preventing any ‘leaking.’
• Label it – when and where did you use it?

Rosie On The House

Fire pit tips for Arizona homeowners to know in 2025...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

How to create the perfect fire pit for your Arizona home

Creating a fire pit in your own backyard may take a little planning and elbow grease, but the rewards can last for a long time.

3 days ago

Farmers market...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

How to maximize your farmers market experience in the Valley

Whether you're a farmers market beginner or just moved to the Valley, follow these tips to maximize your fresh food experience.

9 days ago

Hardware replacement tips homeowners should know in 2025...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

How to easily replace door and window hardware

Wondering how to replace door and window hardware in your home? Generally, all you need is a screwdriver to change door hardware. Try this, too.

17 days ago

Among the more important and prominent features of our homes is our roof system...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

How to inspect your home’s gutters and roof

Among the more important and prominent features of our homes is our roof system, which refers to the roof and the gutters.

24 days ago

Check the toilet in 2025 to make sure it flushes all year...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

No party pooping: Follow these tips to tune the toilet in your home

You'll have to check the toilet ahead of time if you want to have an easy time in the bathroom all throughout 2025. Follow these simple steps.

1 month ago

Electrical panel tips 2025: All homeowners should know...

Rosie Romero, Host and Owner of RosieontheHouse.com

Tips for Arizona homeowners: Have you labeled your electric panel?

Your electrical panel can provide a lot of essential and useful information. It can seem overwhelming at first. Here's a quick and useful overview.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Make caulking easier with these tips