49
votes
Accepted
Do I really need to fill the tub with water to properly apply caulking?
While caulk is fairly elastic, it handles better under compression than tension. By filling the tub all the way, you expand the gap quite a bit. Once the caulk is applied and the tub drained, the ...
- 131k
47
votes
Accepted
Is there a trick to opening a tube of caulk?
Yes! the tool is called a caulk gun. Use the spout cutter for cutting off the tip of the tube; then use the seal punch tool for poking holes in the foil seal.
- 6,212
28
votes
Accepted
Caulking a corner instead of taping with joint compound?
First I would not even have a conversation with that contractor. Gone instantly. If he is cutting corners here, what else would he do without you knowing? Bye.
Caulk in corners - I have had to ...
- 47.8k
21
votes
Accepted
How to ensure silicone gun products last as long as possible
You can get a slight life extension if you take the nozzle off, put a screw in it, then use a clean spare nozzle, put some cling film [US saran wrap??] over the open end & screw the new nozzle ...
- 10.6k
16
votes
Accepted
Why would silicone caulk not cure?
Expired caulk
You bet it expires, and fast. That is because of the chemistry of this type of caulk. The stuff is nearly magic, but that comes at a price.
Extremes of temperature are not kind to ...
12
votes
How to ensure silicone gun products last as long as possible
Something I've found that's not mentioned yet is the effect of air on adhesives.
While sealing up the tip as much as possible is certainly sound advice, I've discovered that tubes and tape last MUCH ...
- 2,212
11
votes
Caulking a corner instead of taping with joint compound?
No. Caulk might look great for a short time (if it doesn't shrink to oblivion right away), but it doesn't bond to the cut end of the gypsum panel at all. Eventually it'll crack loose.
You need tape ...
- 130k
9
votes
Why would silicone caulk not cure?
The answer will depend on the exact type of sealant you used.
For the standard silicone sealant (acetoxy- condensation cure or "acid cure": smells of vinegar as it cures), the curing reaction ...
- 803
8
votes
What can I use as caulk that a cat won't destroy?
Rub a little Tabasco™ sauce or other hot sauce of your choosing on the caulked joint. That will cure most critters of chewing on things they shouldn't.
Granted, it's a bit odd that the cat chooses to ...
- 43.1k
7
votes
Caulk or Grout the base of a toilet?
Code requires toilets to be caulked at the floor, that, IMO is a mistake. If the toilet does develop a leak, it will be restricted under the toilet and the subfloor, and may leak for a while before it ...
- 34.4k
7
votes
How to ensure silicone gun products last as long as possible
For long term storage (more than 1 or 2 days), I remove the nozzle, put some plastic wrap/cling film across the opening and put the nozzle back on. I've been able to keep partially-used tubes for ...
- 396
6
votes
Grout or caulk between acrylic bathtub and tile?
My Uncle was a plumber, so I called him, before re-caulking my newish bathtub for the 3rd time.
I told him that no matter how good a job I did, scraping & cleaning out the old caulk, spraying a ...
- 61
6
votes
Caulk or Grout the base of a toilet?
The grout may help to keep the toilet stabile for awhile, but to ensure it remains level and secure you should install shims. I've used plastic building shims that can be snapped-off at 2 inch ...
- 10.9k
6
votes
Do I really need to fill the tub with water to properly apply caulking?
Depends on the tub, to some extent, and how (or if) it was bedded when installed. Acrylic, fiberglass and thin steel tubs do noticeably deform with a load, especially if not bedded (I'm a fan of the ...
- 202k
6
votes
What can I use as caulk that a cat won't destroy?
In the bath tub the only joint needing caulk (commonly) is the wall/tub intersection. If your pet only is interested in pulling out caulking you might try repairing the joint with silicone, but than ...
- 10.9k
6
votes
How to ensure silicone gun products last as long as possible
Caulk the base of the nozzle to create a perfect seal
(Do this before using it so you do not expose the unused silicone.)
I've had this stuff store for more than 2 years using this technique.
I tend ...
- 1,643
6
votes
Accepted
New caulk on tub splitting after just a few weeks
This is why we use silicone round bathtubs, not caulk - or that may even be the same grout used for the tiles, which is even worse, there is no resistance to stress at all.
If that was a 'professional'...
- 10.6k
5
votes
Do I really need to fill the tub with water to properly apply caulking?
the water pulls the tub to the position it is in when you take a bath the sides slitly deflect and it pulls down from the surround so filling is the best practice to fill the voids and have a longer ...
- 102k
5
votes
Accepted
How long does caulk need to dry in a 1" gap?
safe to use the shower is a relative question. when will it be safe to use it so that its use doesn't compromise the caulking seal? never - it was already compromised the moment you did it that way.
...
5
votes
5
votes
Is there a trick to opening a tube of caulk?
For UK users there is no separate seal as such, it's part of the tube itself. The top of the threaded part that goes into the nozzle is cut off using a craft knife.
- 3,274
5
votes
Caulking a corner instead of taping with joint compound?
I’ve used a high quality no shrink paintable caulk when I’ve made a very clean cut drywall edge both on an inside wall to wall and a wall to stipled textured ceiling. I finger tooled and it not only ...
- 51
5
votes
Accepted
Caulking Baseboards - Suddenly Spiders Appear
Blocking their hiding spaces and places with air flow probably displaced them. With the area sealed up they won’t have food traveling that area so they are probably getting away from the smell and ...
- 102k
5
votes
Accepted
Can I use elastomeric sealant intended for roofs to caulk my shower?
It might be marketing, or it might be fact (or both!) but caulking that's designed specifically for kitchen/bath applications has an anti-microbial element.
Assuming your existing roofing caulk isn't ...
- 20.4k
5
votes
How to ensure silicone gun products last as long as possible
Toothpaste caps.
When a nozzle isn’t being used, a toothpaste cap can screw on nicely. Also bag the whole tube so it doesn’t set from the back.
The relevant science is that the silicone sets using ...
- 1,458
5
votes
What to know before recaulking shower
This is one of those problems that so hard to solve. Silicone, latex... I've tried them all, and all eventually allow mildew and mold to grow. Caulk needs to be redone regularly (like every 10 years, ...
- 91
5
votes
Accepted
When can I safely caulk a toilet after install?
If you want to detect the leak, determine the floor level first to find out which way will it leak.
Main reason for Wax seal leaking is when toilet rocks.
Caulking will help preventing that.
If you ...
- 16.9k
5
votes
We painted the walls before installing new baseboard. What now?
I always paint the walls then install the baseboards when doing renovations.
I pre-paint the baseboards. Then I caulk the nail holes and touch up with the trim paint.
The next step can be altered ...
- 25.1k
4
votes
How do you clean up silicone caulk?
Just wanted to weigh in here on removing wet silicone or cleaning up dry silicone residue. I'm not a professional, even though my family calls me the Caulk Queen, so take what I say as just coming ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
Can I caulk around this tub?
You certainly can, if you do it carefully. Here are my tips:
Use clear silicone. Any color (including white) will be much more conspicuous over the grout joints. Clear will transfer the existing ...
- 130k
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