How to Caulk Like a Professional the Right Way

Caulking your bathtub or shower seems like an easy enough job, but it’s also easy to make a mistake and end up with an improperly caulked tub. There’s actually some strategy involved when it comes to caulking your sinks, showers, and tubs. Handyman Connection of Blue Ash discusses how to caulk like a professional the right way.

Remove Existing Caulk

Before you start recaulking your bath space, you might want to inspect it first and see if there’s any existing caulk lingering on the seams and cracks. Some homeowners just apply the new caulk over the old one, but this isn’t the correct way to do it. The new caulk applied over the old one will be less durable and won’t last a long time. So before you start applying new caulk, make sure to remove the old one first.

Choose the Right Caulk

Not all caulk performs the same way; some are better fit for certain bath spaces and some work better when it’s drier or more humid. Similarly, you should also be more critical of what kind of dispenser to use. Your choice of applicator, though, depends on what kind of caulk you will use. Typically, you’ll have a choice of either squeeze tub or cartridge dispensers.

The main caulk options you have are vinyl latex caulk and silicone. Silicone caulk performs better on exterior spaces whereas vinyl latex is the caulk of choice for interior caulking. We recommend you go with vinyl latex since this is the standard caulk type for bathrooms and fixtures.

Tape the Surfaces

To ensure a professional finish to your caulking project, you should apply some tape over the surfaces. These will serve as a border guideline when you’re actually applying the caulk. Lay out the tape on the surfaces carefully and make sure you give ample allowance for the depositor to run through.

Finally, don’t rush the caulking job. When you’re applying the caulk, do it slowly and with a steady hand. Also, maintain a steady amount of pressure when you’re pushing out the caulk especially if you’re using a squeeze tube depositor.

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll get even caulking that looks professionally done. Give us a call at (513) 771-3950 to get an estimate on our caulking services.