One of the things that drives me crazy when I visit someone’s house and use their bathroom, is moldy caulk or big gaps between the edge of the tile and the wall or shower. I always wonder why they don’t rip that old caulk out and apply new caulking and sealing? It only takes around twenty minutes, even allowing for prep time.
Caulking and sealing around ceramic tiles is an easy job for any DIY person, even if you have never done it before. How bad could you mess it up? Well, sure doing the entire project will take time and an expert hand, but just to run a fresh bead of caulk around the tile or tub will take about 20 minutes and it protects your walls from water damage.
However, there are some little tips and secrets contractors would not want you to know because that would cut them out of a job, but caulking and sealing around the tub or tile is really a job you can and should do yourself, frequently. Having a watertight seal around your tub and tile will prevent water from seeping in next to the sheetrock. Once your sheetrock gets wet, it will mold and weaken, which will create a job for your contractor.
Choose the Right Caulking and Sealing
Most people will just pop into a hardware store and grab whichever caulk they see first. Caulking is just like any other carpentry job around the house, the result is only as good as the materials used. So, choose a good waterproof silicone caulk to seal every job in the bathroom. Be sure to buy the right texture and color to match what you already have.
Gather the Materials
Before caulking and sealing, gather the materials you are going to use. For caulking around a tub or tiles you will need:
- Cleaning supplies
- A damp (not wet) rag for cleanup
- Caulk & Gun
- Utility knife
- Water
Many contractors keep a damp rag to set the caulking gun on while they’re not using it to keep the caulk from running out onto the tile. It’s also handy for wiping your fingers after setting the bead of caulk.
Clean the Area You Intend to Caulk
It’s important to clean away any dust or foreign materials before you caulk so that you get a proper seal. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any debris, dust, or construction materials left over from the installation.
Cut the Tube and Caulk the Tub
Cut a hole in the tip of the caulking tube. Start close to the end and cut at a 30 to 45-degree angle, so the opening is only about 1/8 of an inch. You can make the hole bigger if you need to, but you should start with the 1/8” hole first. As you get used to caulking, you will know to cut the hole the same width as the space between the tile and the wall.
Insert the tube into the caulking gun with the angled point downward. Pump the plunger lightly to push the plunger up and apply a light pressure so that it pushes the caulk out slowly.
Then line up the tip of the tube so it fills the hole, moving down from the top and to the left to fill the space. Then, use a wet finger to push the caulk firmly into the space and create a seal.
Check to make sure there are no gaps left. If there are gaps, apply another coat of silicone caulk and let it dry for at least 24 hours before using the shower or tub.
Contact Tell Projects when You Can’t Do It Yourself
Contact us for a free consultation for your project at Tell Projects, or call (832) 730-2471.
Caulking and sealing around the tub or tile is easy, but when you have a job that is too big for a DIY project, call Tell Projects and get a professional result every time. View our website or send an email when you have questions, info@tellprojectstx.com.
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