Caulk is a crucial element in any kitchen sink, as it is a sealant that protects joints such as where the sink and countertop meet. Without a sealant, liquid will simply seep into the joint, and destroy the structures beneath the sink and the countertop. When caulking a kitchen sink is done poorly, it can also result in a lot of gunk getting into spaces that will be difficult to reach. This results in an unpleasant odor. The financial implications of poor caulking are also to be avoided. If leakage occurs underneath a countertop due to poor caulking, you may have to replace the entire sink and countertop within a much shorter time than anticipated. This is expensive as well as inconvenient, particularly if you are still paying off the mortgage on the house. To avoid this, you can take these steps when caulking a kitchen sink:
Cut Away the Old Caulk and Glue
You’ll need a razor blade or sharp knife to remove the caulk and glue that was there before. When doing this, always hold the blade with the sharp edge pointing away from you. This allows you to avoid hurting yourself or damaging the countertop during the process. Don’t rush when doing this. You would rather be efficient instead of fast and end up damaging the countertop or hurting yourself.
Peel off the Caulk
It might be a little difficult to remove the caulk and glue using a blade or just your fingers. Use warm water and washing liquid, working around the sink using a sponge. Get rid of as much caulk and residue as you can see. you may also notice other materials including mold, dirt, mildew, and grease. This would be the time to clean them off as well.
Thoroughly Clean the Surface
When the old caulk is removed, you need to prepare the surface for the installation of new caulk. This involves thoroughly cleaning the surface using isopropyl alcohol. You may know it as rubbing alcohol. If unable to find this, you can always use hand sanitizer that has alcohol, bleach, or vinegar. These are all viable replacements, but rubbing alcohol is the best way to clean and prepare the sink for new caulk.
Once the cleaning is done, rinse the sink using cold water and let it dry on its own before the next step. This will require several hours.
Apply the Caulk
Get a caulk gun that can fit in your sink joint. You will then need to get masking tape and apply it around the sink on both sides of the caulk line. They should be parallel and straight. You can then cut the caulking gun nozzle at 45 degrees, and then load the gun with caulk. Place the nozzle in the caulk joint and apply light but even pressure using the trigger around the sink. Take your time when doing this, and don’t worry about it looking messy.
Before the caulk has settled and dried, remove the masking tape gently and wipe away excess sealant.
If you are not confident about doing this yourself or if your sink setup is complicated, contact us to handle the project for you. Check our previous projects to assess the quality of our work.