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Home Repair Bathrooms

Caulking (using caulking gun vs tube)

5 years ago

Last summer a handyman did some re-caulking of some old caulk around my bathroom sink and bathtub, using caulk from a tube (never knew that existed). Since then there have been cracks developing so I thought it needed to be re-caulked.

Another handyman was hired last week to do the job -- again, using caulk from a tube. Seemed to take a while to dry. Am I probably going to experience the same problem within the next year?

Is there a difference in the caulk used in a caulking gun vs the tube? Is the latter inferior?

For context, this was a small job in a rental apartment.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Featured Answer

PRO

Creative Tile Eastern CT

5 years ago

No difference in product. If the old caulk was not cut out first it will fail. 100% silicone is the way to go.

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Comments (8)

Nancy in Mich
5 years ago
I think that what matters is what is in the tube, not the method of applying it. Is the tube still there, or did you get a look at it? Is it silicone or latex caulk? I know that the caulks that are color matched to the grout colors come in tubes.
D H thanked Nancy in Mich
DavidR
5 years ago
I tried using sealant from a tube once, because it was a relatively small job and I didn't want to waste the leftover in a caulking gun cartridge. I found the tube much more difficult to control well for a smooth, consistent bead.

Otherwise, as Nancy said, there's really no difference as long as the stuff inside is the same.
D H thanked DavidR
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Thanks, Bill. I talked to my contractor this morning and he said: 1. He used silicone at the corners of the sheet rock. He also said the reason he doesn't like to use caulk at the corners is that even though it is supposed to be the same color as the grout, it really isn't, plus the caulk will crack if the building moves just like grout cracks. I asked him about grout behind the caulk and he said he recommends keeping the bathroom dry by using a squeegie/towel where needed, particularly along the top of the tub. The grout looks so nice I guess I'll wait to see if it cracks. It probably will as the roof needs more work and I guess I'll caulk at that time. 2 and 3. There isn't grout at the tub line. It just looks like it as the grout is the same color as the empty space. (That's what I get for looking at it at night.) 4. OK 5. Tub reglazing was put last on the schedule so that it wouldn't get damaged during the other stages. I am going to have them cover all of the walls up to the tile line, and the floor, with plastic.
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Fori
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I prefer the tube. I have small hands and can't get the gun to cooperate. I probably need to spend more on the gun. :P
D H thanked Fori
ci_lantro
5 years ago
Yeh, better gun. Fresh caulk. Warm caulk if it's cold.
D H thanked ci_lantro
kudzu9
5 years ago
In my experience, a gun is the only way to have decent control and professional results. A handyman who doesn't use a gun is suspect in my mind as far as skill level.
D H thanked kudzu9
ci_lantro
5 years ago
I've been experimenting with ways to preserve opened tubes of caulking/ sealants. The latest thing that I've tried is resealing the nozzle/ spout with a bit of aluminum foil tape--the tape that is used for sealing dryer ducts. Clean the nozzle and wrap a small strip of the tape (about an inch plus) around it and seal the tape to itself on the end past the nozzle. Appears to be working much better than anything else that I've tried. Bit of a bear to remove (scoring the tape along the side of the nozzle with a razor knife works best).
D H thanked ci_lantro
Nancy in Mich
5 years ago
I have got a bunch of these tiny orange condoms I got in a handyman kit from Lee Valley Tools, the Canadian catalog company. They are made just for closing off tubes of caulking and such, and I don't use them. You can get them from their catalog. Here is the link
D H thanked Nancy in Mich

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