Kitchens and bathrooms are the most typical places to utilize caulk, a type of sealant. As a preventative measure, it’s applied to the joints where your sink joins your countertop. You need it, and it needs to be addressed immediately. Mold, mildew, and even creepy crawlies can grow quickly if water gets trapped in these cracks.
If you’re going to use caulk, it’s not going to last forever, and it’s going to deteriorate with time. Don’t worry if this happens to you; it’s a simple task that doesn’t necessitate a lot of technical know-how.
With a few hints and pointers in the proper direction, it’s a job that you can absolutely accomplish yourself at home.
Note: If you have a different type of sink, the steps you follow will be slightly different.
Step 1
To remove the old caulk sealant and glue from your kitchen sink, you’ll need a razor blade or a very sharp knife. Always keep the blade away from your body and parallel to the sink’s lateral edge. This will allow you to remove the old caulk without damaging your countertop.
Don’t rush through this. Take your time. The accuracy of this phase is more crucial than the speed with which it is completed.
Step 2
Remove all the old caulk from around your kitchen sink now. If you only use your blade and pick at it, you won’t be able to remove anything.
Assuming that’s the case, you can use a modest amount of warm water and dish soap to get the job done. Use a soft sponge to work your way around the sink and remove any old caulk that you find.
Keep in mind that you should also remove any traces of mold or mildew you find. Run a clean, dry towel along each side of the sink before proceeding.
Step 3
To proceed, you’ll need rubbing alcohol, sometimes known as isopropyl alcohol. You might also use hand sanitizer that contains alcohol, white vinegar, or bleach as an alternative if you can’t get your hands on any rubbing alcohol. They should all be able to complete the task at hand.
Rub the rubbing alcohol into the joints with a slightly moist towel. Make sure you explore every nook and cranny. We need a clean surface to put our caulk on in order to get the best results.
Wait for the sink to dry sufficiently before moving on to the next step.
Step 4
Masking tape is required for the next step. Applying caulk to your countertop will be easier if you do this beforehand.
All around the sink, place a strip of tape on either side of the caulk line. Check to see that you’ve covered the whole area and that it’s neat and tidy. As soon as you’re certain that you’ve placed it correctly and are satisfied with it, go ahead and make a decision! Firmly press the tape into place using your fingertips.
Step 5
The next step is to load your caulk tube into a sealing gun. Hardware stores and many superstores carry these in their departments for home renovation and DIY projects.
The nozzle will need to be the right size for your kitchen sink’s joints once it’s been loaded. Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle with a knife. Let’s see if it looks right on a sheet of paper. Keep cutting if necessary to achieve your desired result.
Step 6
Place the nozzle of the caulking gun into a joint, and slowly push the trigger to begin filling in the gap with the caulk.
Keep at it, even if it looks a little sloppy at first because that’s what the masking tape is there for. Those will be addressed in the next few steps.
Step 7
After you’ve applied the caulk to the seams, check to see if the color is uniform. Ensure that the caulk is well covered and that there are no gaps or holes.
Using your finger, smooth out the caulk around the sink by running it along the top of it, making it look more like a finished product.
Step 8
Before the caulk has a chance to settle and cure, remove the masking tape. Don’t forget about this step; if it dries and becomes stuck, you may have to start the whole process again from scratch. Gently and at a straight angle, remove it from the wall without bringing any of the caulk along with it.
Step 9
While the caulk sealant is still setting, use a warm, wet cloth to remove any excess. It’s not the end of the world if it dries, but you’ll have to work a little harder to remove it with a scraper.
There you go. Once the caulk is restored and your sink is sealed for the foreseeable future, you can say goodbye to mold, mildew, and the scum that comes with washing up. For the following sixty to seventy-two hours, there will be no washing up, no liquids, or moisture near the newly sealed joints.
Caulking a kitchen sink can be tiring and you can end up doing it all wrong. Get it done by the best caulking professionals of Melbourne from Apex Caulking. Economical prices and get great quality work.