Thinking about saving some of your renovations budget with a do-it-yourself caulking venture? There is a lot to keep in mind, and if you feel inexperienced or unsure, it is usually a safer bet to hire a caulking professional. If you feel prepared and resolute in your decision, consider the following advice will help make your life a whole lot easier.
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Choosing a Caulk
This is one of the more difficult parts simply because there are so many caulk products out there and even products with the same base can give you largely different results. Most silicone and water-based caulks are useful for indoor caulking while most synthetic-rubber caulks and some silicone and water-based caulks are great for outdoors. You will ultimately want to research each product before you buy it.
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Remember a Caulk Gun
Most caulks require a caulking gun to properly and efficiently dispense them; however, some caulks come in a dispensable container that gives you a handy alternative to buying the gun.
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Find All Leaks and Remove Old Caulk
Tracking down all of the necessary places to caulk can be a tedious task but is an important step if you want to do a thorough job. Removing old caulk is also key since reapplying over it often lessens the adhesive qualities of the new caulk and causes it to wear and deteriorate faster.
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Perfect the Bead
The thickness or thinness of your bead is contingent on how you cut your caulk tube. Depending on the job, you may want a larger or smaller opening. Remember that you will often need to pierce a seal within this opening you make to open the caulk and start using it. The way you squeeze the gun can have a large impact on your bead as well, so make sure to test out a few bead lines on some thicker scrap paper first.
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Keep It Steady
A steady line and steady pressure are key once you get going. You don’t want to go too fast or too slow and you want to keep your gun at a 45 degree angle to the place you are sealing. Pull your hand along steadily and focus on achieving a consistent line. Consider using tape to keep the job clean.
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Refining Through Tooling
The tooling phase is when you modify, correct, and polish your caulking. You can use either a caulk finishing tool to smooth it out or just your hand (preferably with a glove!). The goal here is to perfect your initial work while making sure the crack you are sealing is adequately covered.
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Clean Up
Remove any tape you may have laid down and clean up any messes as soon as possible. Sometimes keeping a rag or two handy and cleaning while you work is a good idea. Remember that latex can be cleaned with water and silicone caulks usually need a solvent-based cleaner.
Need more information or help? Horizon Construction’s caulking services in Toronto can help you get your caulking task done efficiently and effectively. Try contacting us today!