Caulk this way

Loading to application: How to use a caulk gun

Knowing how to use a caulk gun effectively is a core skill for every serious DIYer. They can make household repairs and installations easier. However, if you want to achieve the best results, you need to know how to use and apply the best caulk for the task as well. Follow our basic guide to caulking guns and get sealing like a pro.

A caulking gun is an indispensable part of any DIY arsenal.

How to use a caulk gun: The basics

Caulking is a common way to seal up gaps or joints around your house, whether you do it to repair leaky areas or provide insulation and water resistance when installing fixtures, placing windows, or carrying out other household projects.

Caulk generally comes in disposable cardboard or plastic cartridges with an applicator tip and a plunger. You will need to load one of them into a caulking gun, which you can use to apply the caulk by pressing a trigger that activates the plunger. The plunger smoothly pushes the caulk towards the surface where the caulking gun is aimed.

Many different types of caulk can be purchased in cartridges and loaded into your caulking gun. Loctite® Perfect Finish House & Home is designed for use with all kinds of indoor projects and bonds to almost any surface, including wood, concrete, metal, ceramic, drywall, plaster, and tiles. Once cured, the caulk is paintable and resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew.

How to apply caulk and silicone caulk

Applying caulk and silicone caulk is easy, but if you want to get great results with your caulking gun, you will have to follow a few simple steps. Here’s how to apply caulk and silicone sealants using a caulking gun.

  1. Remove old caulk and prepare the surfaces. You can use a specialized scraper to peel off any remaining caulk stuck to ceramic tiles or sink edges. Remove stuck-on residue by using a caulk removal spray and rag to wipe it away.

    Important: Make sure that any sealant remover residue is removed prior to the sealant application, as it could hamper or even prevent the sealant’s adhesion. Some caulk removers require treatment with special chemicals to remove their residues. Check the manufacturer’s instructions if in doubt.

    Use a bleach-based cleaner on a rag to sanitize the surfaces before applying new caulk. Once the surface is dry, you can move on.
  2. Tape off surfaces. Taping will help you avoid creating overly wide caulk joints. Use painter’s tape to mask off edges around where you want to caulk. Make sure the tape is laid tight to prevent any seepage. This will help create an even layer of caulk and reduce any unwanted spills or overflow.
  3. Apply the caulk. Open the tube of caulk by snipping off the tip at a 45-degree angle, or use the cartridge’s built-in snipper if it has one. Puncture the tube’s seal with a small nail or similar item. Position the caulking gun at a 45-degree angle. Press the material firmly, but carefully, toward the surface area. Move the tip of the caulk tube smoothly along the joint as you apply the caulk for a consistent coat.
  4. Smooth the joint. With the caulk in place, smooth down the caulk with an appropriate tool or rag. Do not use your finger as that might contaminate the caulk, reducing its lifespan. For latex caulk, you can just use water. For silicone, you may want to use alcohol to smooth the joint. Wipe away displaced excess caulk as you go. The goal is to create a smooth, clean application from one end to the other.
  5. Peel the tape. Remove the masking tape in a slow but steady motion, pulling away from the joint.

To avoid getting caulk on your fingers, use latex gloves while applying the material and smoothing the joint.

Seal up any cracks or gaps with a caulking gun and silicone sealant.

How to use a caulk gun: Common uses

When should you use a caulking gun? There are countless applications, from installing fixtures and appliances to fixing gaps or cracks in existing surfaces. A great caulking job makes a world of difference in how fixtures look. It also prevents leaks or drips that can lead to structural damage over time.

Caulking guns have evolved over the years. These days, most professionals use smooth-rod dripless caulk guns, which are much easier to squeeze than older ratchet-rod designs and are much cleaner to use. The spring-loaded mechanism creates smooth pressure with minimal force, leading to a cleaner application and a stronger hold.

Tight seals can save you money; this is another practical reason for using a caulk gun. Sealing up leaks and drafts around your home is a great way to cut energy costs, which in turn decreases your domestic carbon footprint. It can also reduce household appliance usage, which extends their lifespan.

Use your caulking gun for easy, water-resistant bathroom fixes that stand the test of time.

Caulk gun sealant selection: Types and uses

Typical caulk used with caulking guns includes silicone, polyurethane, polysulfide, or acrylic sealants. Caulk comes in many blends, colors, and dispensing processes, but generally speaking, there are three varieties: latex, silicone, and butyl rubber.

For a silicone sealant that’s designed for use in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with lots of moisture, try Loctite Polyseamseal 100% Silicone Sealant. Load it into your caulking gun and apply it to create seals that are resistant to temperature, water, UV radiation, and other environmental factors.

Each type of caulk has its particular strengths. Latex tends to work best for dry areas, while silicone is a better choice for areas exposed to water and other moisture. Latex and silicone are best suited for interior home repairs, but butyl rubber is probably better for exterior work.

If you want a sealant that can do it all, try Loctite® Perfect Finish House & Home. It can be used in all conditions and provides superior strength. It is formulated with a stretch that is 5 times that of other sealants. It is great for interior and exterior uses, including tubs and showers, fixtures, sinks, tile, trim, and baseboards. It can create durable, weatherproof seals around windows, doors, and siding.

Check out this quick video for all you need to know about using Loctite® Perfect Finish House & Home so you can seal your cracks up tight.

Applying silicone sealant with a caulking gun is an easy, reliable way to keep windows weatherproof and airtight.