Whether you're building a deck or cupboard or sealing gaps in the kitchen and bathroom, silicone caulk is a great tool to have on hand for home improvement projects. Caulk and Silicone Sealant can be used to fill small gaps in your projects and it's simple to use. But it can be difficult to find the right caulk for the job at hand if you don't know what types of caulks are available. Thankfully, we've compiled this list of supplies that every DIYer should have in their toolbox (and we're here to help with our best tips for using them!).

Caulking Tube

A caulk tube is a tube used to apply sealant. It's basically like the tubes you use to squeeze toothpaste or hair gel out of, except it has a different purpose. The most common types of caulking tubes are:

• Cartridge Caulk Tubes - These are plastic casings that contain the sealant inside. They can be inserted into caulk guns or applied with your hand (with some practice).
• Flexible Caulk Tubes - These come in various sizes and shapes, but they're all made from flexible materials such as rubber or silicone. They're ideal for working around corners because they can bend around them without breaking! If you need an especially tight spot filled with sealant, this might be what you need!

Caulking Gun

A caulking gun is a tool used to apply caulk. It consists of a tube with a plunger and trigger, which are used to force the caulk out of the tube. When you pull on the trigger, it releases pressure on the plunger so that more caulk can be dispensed through it into your project. It’s necessary to use a heavy duty caulking gun for the best results.

Caulking Cutter

If you're going to be doing any caulking projects, you're going to need a way to cut the tip of the caulk tube. Caulking cutters are inexpensive and easy to use, but they do come in different sizes so make sure that whatever type you choose is appropriate for your needs.

Sponge

While it’s probably not the first item you’d think to add to your toolbox, it’s actually pretty important to have a sponge on hand while working with caulk to help with cleanup. The most obvious use of the sponge is to clean the caulking gun after you're done using it to seal gaps. You can also use it to wipe up excess sealant or putty, which will help you save on materials and time.

Backer Rods

Backer rods are the most versatile caulking supplies. They can be used to fill larger gaps, help caulk stay in place and adhere to surfaces, and even help caulk fill larger gaps. Backer rods are also used to help you manage the amount of caulk you apply to any given area, ensuring that the gap will remain fully filled without you having to run through multiple tubes of caulk .

When using backer rod for a small gap or crack:

• Insert the backer rod into the space between two surfaces that are being caulked together (such as where your shower wall meets the shower tile) until it reaches just below where you want your new bead of caulk to begin.
• Then apply adhesive-backed tape over top of this area so that when you apply your new bead of clear silicone or acrylic sealant around it later on down at ground level--you won't have any gaps showing!

Once you’ve completed these steps of setup with your backer rod, you can begin applying caulk. Setting up a backer rod is easy, and it’s almost a necessity when working with caulk.

Putty Knife

The putty knife is a tool used to remove excess caulk. It's also called a spatula, and it should be used in conjunction with a caulking gun. Putty knives come in plastic, metal or wood varieties. It’s possible that you might already have a putty knife in your toolbox, in your garage, or otherwise on hand; putty knives have a lot of applications outside of just smoothing out caulk. Putty knives are also used when painting - but they aren’t the same as paint scrapers, even though the two tools are commonly confused.

You might want to skip steps and overlook items like a putty knife, but it’s important to get all of the tools that you need before starting a caulking project. If you want to make sure that your project is successful every time, it's important to use high-quality tools like the ones provided by Silicone Depot!

Silicone Caulk

Silicone caulk is a great choice for outdoor projects, since it's resistant to both low and high temperatures. It also resists mildew and water exposure. It’s also a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens for this reason. Silicone caulk fills gaps between materials, such as wood siding or tiles on your bathroom wall. To apply silicone caulk, you'll need to use caulking tools like a putty knife or caulking gun that dispenses the adhesive in beads or tubes onto the surface being sealed (more on those later). The alternatives to silicone caulk are called acrylic caulk and latex caulk, but silicone caulk is the best type of caulk for most applications.

Here’s a look at the benefits of silicone caulk:

• Waterproofs surfaces
• Mold and mildew resistant
• Can be exposed to water
• Can be used outdoors, in kitchens, in bathrooms, and in other areas of the house where other types of caulk might not be appropriate
• Withstands extreme temperatures
• Highly durable
• Easy to apply using materials you may already have at home
• Fills gaps between materials and in spaces between windows and doors

A mildew-resistant silicone caulk, like Kitchen & Bath Mildew Resistant RTV Silicone Sealant, is the best option for any DIY projects or professional applications.

Get Your Caulking Supplies From Silicone Depot

If you’re working on DIY caulking projects at home, you need to get high-quality tools and materials as well as choose the right caulk so your job will hold up for as long as you need it to. To purchase high-quality silicone sealant, silicone caulk, and all of the other materials you need to complete a DIY caulk project, Silicone Depot is your one-stop shop.

Check out our huge catalog of caulking supplies, including caulks and sealants, today!