IB Caulking

5 Things You Should Know About Caulking for Kitchens

Are you struggling with leaks or lots of open grooves in your kitchen plumbing, walls, floors, or other construction areas? Caulking can be a very handy and very quick product to help seal leaks, close off gaps or improve the appearance of certain surfaces in the kitchen. But before you simply drive down to your local hardware store for a tube of caulk, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are a couple of things to know before you can start caulking your kitchen.

There Are Many Types of Caulk

There are quite a few different types of caulk available on the market. These different types vary in terms of composition because they are designed for different jobs. Here is a quick look at the main types of caulk you can get for your home:
  • Acrylic latex caulk
  • Latex caulk with silicone
  • Pure silicone caulk
  • Butyl rubber caulk
  • Refractory or fireplace caulk
  • Masonry repair caulk
  • Polyurethane caulk
  • Solvent-based caulk
  • Hybrid caulk
Some of these caulk types are easier to use than others, some need to be combined with silicone to form a proper seal and some are waterproof while others are not quite as water-resistant. It is very important to speak to a caulk expert about your sealing needs or you could end up with the wrong type of caulk.

It Takes Practice to Create Smooth, Mess-Free Caulk Lines

Caulking can be extremely messy if you don’t know what you are doing or if you don’t have the needed hand dexterity for these delicate jobs. Once the caulk dries, it is also extremely hard to remove or clear these products from surfaces. The application challenges are the biggest reason so many choose to hire professionals for this task instead of attempting it themselves. Unless you are skilled in caulking, you will very likely end up with loads of bulges, bumps, spills, and messes in your kitchen. It is much better to use a professional than to risk ruining your kitchen and wasting all that expensive product.

You Will Need Other Quality Tools

For proper application, you will need much more than just a couple of caulk tubes. You will also need a quality caulk gun that comes with a ratchet action since these are the easiest to use and offer the best results. In addition to a quality caulk gun, you will need other tools like scrapers, cleaning brushes, cleaning cloths, tape, and more. When you consider all of the accessories you need for caulking, you will quickly notice that hiring professional help isn’t nearly as expensive as you once believed.  

Caulk Needs To Be Pushed Into Gaps

Most people who attempt to do their own caulking will only drag the caulk gun across the gap that they want to seal. This method only creates a temporary fix because a cavity below the sealant will form where germs, bacteria, and humidity can hide away.  The caulk needs to be pushed into each gap to fill up and seal these openings or it might not hold up for very long.

You Need To Seal the Tube between Uses

Caulk tubes can dry out pretty fast if you leave them uncapped. It is important to get your caulk tubes property closed between uses or when you are putting it in storage or all the caulk will become ruined.   Caulking might be tough to apply but it is one of the best kitchen treatments under the sun. With this treatment, you can seal off gaps, create water-tight finishes and enhance the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. For more information about caulking and all of its benefits, or epoxy tile grouting, you should give IB Caulking a call.

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