Caulk ~ what type should I use

Questions and Answers

caulk questions

Brian P. asked

on Caulk:

I want to use a clear caulk to fill in gaps between my floor and the baseboard. The floor is finished hardwood (original), and I live in a humid area so a mildew and mold resistant product would be nice.

 

caulking answer

Hello Brian,

There really shouldn’t be any cracks between the floor and base board.  If there are substantial sized cracks you should install shoe molding. (not quarter round)  If the cracks are small and you just want to caulk, DO NOT USE SILICONE if you ever want to paint the base board. Paint will not stick to silicone and once you apply silicone it is extremely difficult to ever completely remove it. If the floor and the base board are the same color use a color matched caulk.  If the base board is painted use a clear latex caulk.  Clear latex caulk is milky white when applied and turns clear over time.  The thicker the application the longer it will take to turn clear, thin application will turn clear in a few hours, thicker applications will take up to a week.  Use painters tape to protect the floor smoothing the caulk out thin over the tape and then removing the tape immediately after caulking to leave a clean line at the floor.  Clear latex caulking can be painted over with latex or oil based paint when thoroughly dry.

Good Luck,

Tony

Wood’s Home Maintenance Service offers solutions for a wide range of building, maintenance and repair needs.  Give us a call or click the button below to contact us  today for a free estimate.

 

About Tony Wood

Tony is a life time resident of North Carolina with over 40 years experience in multiple facets of the industrial, commercial and residential construction industry. For the past 33 years he has owned and operated Wood's Home Maintenance Service, providing services primarily in Johnston, Wake and Sampson Counties of North Carolina. ______________ ______________________________________________________ The information contained in this Blog is opinion derived, from hands on experience of over 40 years in the construction industry and by extensive research by the author. All postulations are referenced to the geographic location in which this experience was gained.
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