Caulk Talk

Good morning! I have a riveting post about caulk but my award-winning (I need the new sarcasm mark) photos were too bad to post…Hope your Friday is fabulous and your coffee robust! (www.homesanctuary.typepad.com)

Coffee Mug

Who cares about caulk? you ask. Everyone should care about caulk. We should more than care. Without caulk, our windows would be even draftier, our back splashes would have unsightly gaps, and we would constantly be yelling at our teenagers to get out of the shower because the water is pouring into the family room. Epiphany:  Caulk is ultimately responsible for family harmony.

Caulk can also protect you from the evil mold, born when moisture seeps into places where it ought not to go.

I have tried many different kinds of caulk, usually from a squeeze tube. I thought a tube would be easier. It isn’t. This go-round, I used a two dollar caulk gun. It is not complicated, and there is no clean-up. Go for the gun. Also, I used a caulk recommended by Gary Sullivan, home improvement guru. Polyseamseal. It is awesome. Easy to use and looks great!

Caulking is not difficult, but it does take a bit of time and patience. Here’s how:

1. Remove old caulk. I used a putty knife and plastic tool that looks like a citrus peeler. Since the old caulk had crumbled and was pulling away from the tub anyway, it was fairly easy to remove.
2. Clean area thoroughly. I used a mildew removing spray. A bleach and water mix would also work. Be sure there is no mold or mildew in the crevice you will be caulking. And be careful with the fumes. All of the mildew removers seem to be pretty nasty stuff.
3. Let area dry thoroughly.
4. Cut off the tip of the caulk. Start small; you can always cut more off, but you cannot put more back on. (Profound…I know.) My $2 gun came with a secret cutter in the handle. What will they think of next?
5. Practice squeezing the trigger, pushing caulk onto a paper towel. Make opening larger, if needed.
6. Apply caulk to the gap between tub and tile walls (in my case). Use even trigger pressure, holding the gun at about a 45 degree angle.
7. Most tubs will have three sides that require caulking. Do a short side first, applying caulk end to end. Release caulk pressure so caulk doesn’t continue to ooze out while you lay the gun down (on paper towels, please!)
8. Get a couple of wet, but not dripping, paper towels. Using a damp finger (long pretty nails are a bad thing–:) ), run your finger along the bead of caulk. This forces it into the gap and gives a smooth, finished look. Carefully, clean up any leftover caulk from the tub or tile with a damp paper towel. It must be cleaned off immediately.
9. Continue the same steps for the other two sides.
10. Read the directions on the caulk you chose about how many hours or days should pass before showering. Follow those directions. I speak from experience…This isn’t the first time I’ve caulked this tub.

***TIP: Start in a corner. I am not sure why, but it is easier. Somewhere I read to fill the tub about 1/2 full of water, to weigh it down…I tried this once and found it to be a pain. And a mess. And I hurt my back since I wasn’t able to be inside the tub while I caulked. Please excuse my whining.

***Another TIP:  When you are finished, put a heavy duty nail in the end of the caulk (if it didn’t come with a cap), kind of like a bottle stopper.

***Last TIP (I promise):  After you wash your hands, be sure to put on a good quality lotion…Why is it that home repair products are so hard on your skin? I have it! Caulk with Moisturizing Lotion! I am sure it would sell.