How to Caulk Bathroom Fixtures
- 1). Clean the surfaces. Wipe free of dirt, dust or other materials with a damp rag. Do not use soap, according to the website Repair Home. Remove any old putty with a plastic putty knife or utility knife. Allow the area to dry, or expedite the process with a hair dryer.
- 2). Place the caulking tube in the caulking gun and cut its nozzle with a utility knife at about a 45-degree angle. The tapered nozzle allows you to cut at the point that will produce the proper size bead of caulk.
- 3). Squeeze the trigger of the caulking gun, forcing the caulk out of the nozzle. Hold the nozzle along the gap between the fixture and the wall and move the nozzle along to produce a uniform bead of caulk large enough to fill any gaps between the wall and fixture.
- 4). Smooth the caulk bead, forcing the material into the gap. Run a caulk smoother across the bead, turning the rounded bead of caulk into a cove-shaped caulk formation that extends from the wall to the fixture. In the absence of a caulk smoother, use either a small plastic piece sold at hardware stores, a popsicle stick or even a wet finger.
- 5). Use warm water and soap or alcohol, depending on the type of caulk, to clean any smears on walls or fixtures. Allow the caulk to dry before painting, if applicable. Consult the caulk package for cleaning methods and drying time.
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