Kitchen caulk: Keep water out and your kitchen perfect

If water finds its way into the gaps between household materials and surfaces, trouble is sure to follow. Stop it in its tracks with kitchen caulk.

• What is kitchen caulk used for?
• How to use kitchen caulk effectively
• Choosing the best kitchen caulk for your DIY projects
  

What is kitchen caulk used for?

In rooms like kitchens, where water and condensation are often present, kitchen caulk seals out moisture and air to create strong bonds between household materials. For example, you can use kitchen caulk or kitchen sealant to fill the gaps between sinks and countertops or between countertops and backsplashes or tiles. White or translucent in appearance and slightly rubbery to the touch, kitchen caulk is vital wherever water and condensation can enter gaps and cause problems.

How to use kitchen caulk effectively

Kitchens and bathrooms are especially high-traffic areas that take a lot of wear and tear, so you need a kitchen sealant that’s formulated to last. To stop any water-related problems, such as dampness or mildew, choose a product that’s flexible and durable and follow these simple steps.

1. Clean. To guarantee the best seal, ensure the area and surfaces you are working with are clean, dry, and free of any foreign objects, such as dust, debris, and dirt.
2. Prepare. Wear gloves to protect your hands. 
3. Tape. To create a neat, smooth bead of kitchen caulk, apply masking tape to both sides of the joint.
4. Cut. Cut an aperture around 3/8 of an inch wide off the tip of the caulk cartridge at a 45-degree angle.
5. Apply. Using a caulking gun, apply the sealant with steady pressure, forcing it into the joint. 
6. Tool. Before the bead has dried, use a smoothing tool to smooth over the kitchen caulk and force it into the joint to form the best seal possible. This will also remove any excess kitchen sealant, which you can scrape off in stages while smoothing the bead over.
7. Finish. Remove the tape and leave the sealant to cure for the time specified in the product’s instructions.
   

Choosing the best kitchen caulk for your DIY projects

Ordinary kitchen sealants can deliver subpar results. Some of them are not scrubbable, and others collect dust, mold, and mildew. Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk eliminates these problems, effectively creating a barrier that prevents mold and mildew, and uses Seal & Bond technology to provide increased durability and longevity. It has enough strength for the job but remains permanently flexible and scrubbable. Loctite Polyseamseal Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk stops water from getting into any gaps and is resistant to color change and abrasion from harsh chemical cleaners. This simple-to-use acrylic-based sealant is also paintable and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

Alternatively, Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk is formulated for sealing most indoor projects in and around the house. Its Seal & Bond technology provides increased durability for a long-lasting, flexible, and waterproof seal. Ideal for humid or steamy areas, Loctite Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk is easy to apply and tool, and the cured product is resistant to mold, mildew, and weather and is paintable in 40 minutes.