# Caulking. Why We Adore It. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 27, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838 "2003-05-27T18:58:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/1 "2003-05-27T18:58:31Z")
It’s that time. Springtime. The windows get opened up more, things around the house get tended to that perhaps have been let go for a few months. This includes the bathrooms. The showers. Those magical junctures of walltile and bathtub. By god, there’s nothing like pulling on a fresh pair of latex gloves, getting a small dish of warm water ready and loading up a gun with a new tube of GE White Silicone Caulking. The smooth bead. The lack of smoodge and smoosh. The sleek concave arc created JUST after the bead is run, by wetting down a gloved finger in the water and thumbing my way across the bead, making sure there is a good thin skin seam against the actual tub or tile surface. Then, the wait. One cannot rush curing time, it is it’s own thing. Perhaps a small fan to remove the acetic acid scent from the surrounding rooms. Lastly, The Payoff. The next day you step into what now looks like a brilliantly finished off bathroom. That’s this afternoon’s pleasure. I simply cannot wait. 🙂 Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/2 "2003-05-27T19:15:51Z")
I will second that emotion and add silicone sealant. Yesterday, (must of been something in the air), Mr. Lyllyan and I used clear silicone sealer to seal all aound the sink in the kitchen and around the stove. From there we moved on to changing out all the cabinet liners. And the highlight of the day? We rearranged all the canned goods! Happy happy joy joy! It does look much nicer, though. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/3 "2003-05-27T22:25:27Z")
Yes, few things more satisfying than scraping away old layers of old, grotesque caulk and putting a fresh bead on. Hint: don’t caulk over the top of mildew. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/4 "2003-05-27T22:31:02Z")
Last summer my roommates and I did a bit of work on our apartment. We would pass around the ‘Big White Caulk’ all day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/5 "2003-05-27T23:31:35Z")
Who knew I was not alone in my love of caulking and sealers. On day, perhaps, we can join forces and put an end to people who paint over hardware. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/6 "2003-05-28T02:39:23Z")
Well hey, all you caulk lovers, I’ve got a shower stall and a tub that are in need of serious caulking. I’ll supply the pizza! C’mon down! ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/7 "2003-05-28T03:00:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*Well hey, all you caulk lovers, I’ve got a shower stall and a tub that are in need of serious caulking. I’ll supply the pizza! C’mon down! \*\* My thoughts, exactly. [sub]What kind of freaks are they, **FairyChatMom**?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/8 "2003-05-28T03:24:58Z")
Hurrah for caulk! During yesterday’s rainstorm, we developed a leak in our roof. The roofer came out today, and we were prepared to pay big bucks to redo a portion of our roof. The roofer said, “Let’s just try a bit of caulk here. I think your roof can survive a bit longer.” I was so thrilled. BTW, as for DIY, I don’t really dig caulking with the big gun, but I love both putting on and taking off the clay-like goopy weatherstripping stuff you put around windows that comes in cords. (What _is_ that stuff called?) It’s like Playdoh for adults. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/9 "2003-05-28T03:38:25Z")
Oh mais oui, you bring back happy memories of my heady days selling paint and such. . . Oh Sherwin-Williams, how I miss your chain. Caulk by the case. 20 or 30 year stuff. Happy times. 😃 Tripler The phrase “caulk sucker” was tossed around lightheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/10 "2003-05-28T03:59:24Z")
Start with **FCM** for caulking and pizza, then on to **Homebrew** for beverages (of course) and wrap things up here at the SthrnAccent homestead in our master bath and shower. I offer homemade pecan pie and homemade vanilla ice cream. (Actually I’d rather make peach ice cream, but it’s not so good with the pecan pie.) ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/11 "2003-05-28T05:31:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cartooniverse \* > \*\*By god, there’s nothing like pulling on a fresh pair of latex gloves, getting a small dish of warm water ready and loading up a gun with a new tube of GE White Silicone Caulking. > > The smooth bead. The lack of smoodge and smoosh. The sleek concave arc created JUST after the bead is run, by wetting down a gloved finger in the water and thumbing my way across the bead, making sure there is a good thin skin seam against the actual tub or tile surface. > > \*\* Gad! If I’m familiar with the tub enclosure and it’s a virginal tube of sealant, no gloves for me! Why separate yourself from the art of a fine caulk job? Immerse yourself in the essense of silicone! It’s not like a first date, after all. 😉 The foregoing post is not meant to reflect poorly upon those persons who have enhanced parts of their physiology with silicone. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/12 "2003-05-28T13:16:50Z")
I have the technique down, which makes the results very rewarding. However, have you ever seen those caulking catastrophes that result from the clueless caulker?! Don’t let these people near your seams! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/13 "2003-05-28T15:02:50Z")
Unfortunately, one has to walk the path to caulk catastrophy before they can climb the ladder to silicone nirvana. Personally, I like the snap of a chalk line better than 'most anything on the home improvement planet. (God, I’m getting sweaty just thinking about it!) ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/14 "2003-05-28T20:08:56Z")
I make a fabulous seafood gumbo for anyone who wants to tile my kitchen floor! (And I only live a couple hours or less from **FairyChatMom**! Any of you caulkers into grout? :: crickets chirping :: Guess not. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/15 "2003-05-29T01:38:42Z")
You are of course remembering to FILL THE TUB with water before caulking, eh? (It’s true, I watch too much _This Old House_ and now the new _ **ASK** This Old House_) ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/16 "2003-05-29T03:17:30Z")
Virgin caulker here… Mr. Amanita and I are in our first year of home ownership. I need to recaulk in the master bath, and am now concerned b/c I don’t understand this: > [@](#): > > You are of course remembering to FILL THE TUB with water before caulking, eh? Explain, please? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/17 "2003-05-29T06:14:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Amanita \* > \*\*Virgin caulker here… Mr. Amanita and I are in our first year of home ownership. I need to recaulk in the master bath, and am now concerned b/c I don’t understand this: > > Explain, please? 😕 \*\* Because if you caulk the tub and THEN fill it with water, it’ll be heaver, and thus break the seal of the dried caulk. You want to caulk when the tub is at it’s heaviest so the seal is intact regardless. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/18 "2003-05-29T23:28:00Z")
Well, that makes sense. :smack: Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/19 "2003-05-30T00:44:25Z")
Coincidentally, I had to replace some caulking in the kitchen the other day; my first caulking experience. Went surprisingly smoothly, and now I want to recaulk everything. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838/20 "2003-05-30T06:29:38Z")
Wow. Fill the tub. What a maroon I am. NOW I gotta strip out the old and replace with the new new? I’ve had my share of caulktastrophes, but this application went really well. Right until I read **voguevixen** ’s comments…:rolleyes: Life is progress, I’m grateful for the suggestion. Dammit. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caulking-why-we-adore-it/177838.md?page=2)