Where and when to use white caulk on your DIY projects

If you’re new to using white caulk, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of choices on the market. Rather than feeling frustrated, use this as a guide that determines how to best use white sealant, when to use it, and what product to pick.

How many times have you strolled down the aisle in the home repair shop, walking right past the white sealant without a second thought? Here’s the thing: this one little item can prove to be an extremely versatile tool in your arsenal. Use white caulk to seal up gaps and cracks in materials around the home, such as wood trim, door and window frames, tiles on backsplashes and in the shower, around the sink, and more. It will help to prevent water leakage and damage, as well as increase the insulation levels in your home.

White caulk can blend in seamlessly with anything in a coordinating colour and gives a fresh look to the room. Many white sealants are also paintable, so you can have it match existing wood stain if you choose.

If you want to be able to master the art of using white caulk right from the start, then these tips are sure to come in handy. Follow these steps for best results.

1. Prepare the work area by using painter’s tape on all the borders. This will ensure the white caulk doesn’t get on other materials and surfaces.
2. Be sure to use a 45-degree angle when you cut open the nozzle of the caulk tube. This will make it easier to control.
3. Next you’ll need to use a sharp object to create a hole in the cartridge (through the opening you just cut). Typically the caulking gun’s metal rod will do the trick. This will allow you to get the product out
4. Once you have created a small hole, you can go ahead and put the cartridge inside your caulking gun.
5. Apply a little caulk on a scrap piece of material or paper to ensure it’s moving freely.
6. When you are ready to begin, start at a corner and work your way along the area you will be caulking. Make sure to go slowly so you have control and your line is straight.
7. Use your finger to clean up messes as you go and make that line as smooth and even as possible.
8. Once you have applied all the white sealant, you’re ready to remove the painter’s tape. 
9. If you plan on painting the white caulk, you need to give adequate drying and curing time. Be sure to read the instructions on the product for more information.

Now that you’ve got the steps mastered, it’s time to pick the right product for the job. Not all white caulk or sealant is the same, so you need to be wary of how and where you plan to use it.

Two of the most common places to use white caulk in your home are the kitchen and bathroom. Whether it is a repair job, you are refreshing the caulking, or you’re renovating, this product can come in extremely handy. Of course, in these rooms, there is an issue of moisture and the potential for mould growth, so you need to be sure you’re picking the right product.

The LePage 2 in 1 Seal & Bond Kitchen and Bath caulk is water resistant and mold and mildew resistant. It is also flexible and durable, low odour, and paintable in just 40 minutes. It features the flexibility of a sealant and is strong like an adhesive.

Just as there is a specific white caulk or sealant that is meant for the indoor projects in your bathroom and kitchen, there are certain products that are meant for outdoor jobs. Obviously, you need something that is going to be weather resistant and can hold up to the harsh Canadian elements.

The LePage QUAD VOC window, door & siding sealant is an excellent product that boasts high performance in all types of weather conditions. It is UV and water resistant and is permanently flexible. You don’t have to worry about air bubbles, it resists dust and dirt, it is extremely strong and durable, and it can be painted with oil-based or latex paints to blend in with other materials. LePage QUAD provides all-weather performance and can be used from -7°C to 38°C.