How to Use a Caulk Gun

Knowing how to use a caulk gun offers easy entry to the do-it-yourself lifestyle.

Caulk creates a watertight seal that protects your drywall and cabinets wherever water is present. It seals kitchen sinks, tubs, windows, doors, and tiles, and fills in cracks for a smooth finish. I enjoy applying caulk to wainscotting when framing my hallway. It really added some flavor to my space!

So whether you’re renting or your own home, if you need to replace deteriorating caulk or simply want to reinvent your wall with some board and batten, learning how to use a caulk gun will be your key to success. With a few easy tips, you’ll be caulking like a pro.

Types of caulk

The most common are silicone- or latex-based. Choosing the right caulk for the job will depend on the project.

Silicone-based caulk: Best for bathtubs or sinks, this type repels moisture and prevents mildew buildup.

Latex-based caulk: Used to fill cracks or spaces between baseboards or molding. This type expands better than silicone, but breaks down faster if exposed to water and sunlight.

Which caulk gun to buy

The smooth rod caulk gun makes applying caulk easy. A midrange-priced one should work. Unless it’s a major project, you probably don’t need a high end electric one, but you also don’t want a cheap one that breaks before you’re finished.

Now that you have your caulk and gun, let’s get started.

Clean up the space

If you’re dealing with moldy, old or deteriorating caulk, do some cleanup before administering new caulk.

• Use a utility knife, putty knife or a caulk removal tool to scrap off the old caulking.
• Once the surface is clear, clean it with some rubbing alcohol.
• Let the surface dry completely. If any moisture remains, mold could form under the new caulk.

Article source here: How to Use a Caulk Gun