Baseboards are wall trim that runs around the bottoms of the walls in a home or building to create an attractive border around the room. They can add a lovely touch to nearly any space and come in a variety of styles.

Unfortunately, baseboards are sometimes left unsealed and begin to deteriorate over time. This normal wear and tear can be easily prevented by using the best caulk for baseboards and ensuring a proper installation.

Why Is Silicone Caulk Best for Baseboards?

Choosing what kind of caulk for baseboards you want to use can be challenging, but fortunately, silicone caulk is a quick and simple solution for most of these projects. 100% RTV silicone sealant offers unparalleled sealing qualities that are ideal for preventing the damage baseboards usually suffer. Here are some of the main benefits of using silicone caulk to seal the gap between the baseboard and the floors or ceilings.

Silicone Sealant Is Great at Waterproofing

Baseboards are usually made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a composite material made of wax, resin, and finely ground wood fibers. This mixture is then molded into decorative forms to create aesthetically pleasing baseboards. By using MDF, baseboards can come in a variety of beautiful forms and are often relatively inexpensive.

Unfortunately, the fiberboard is very absorbent and will soak up moisture like a sponge. At the floor level, baseboards will come into contact with all kinds of messes, including wet spills, food, and dirt. With all that daily exposure, it doesn't take long for baseboards to stain, mildew, swell, warp, and even crumble away. It can be alarmingly unattractive and, once the process starts, it's nearly impossible to reverse. In fact, it usually ends in completely replacing the baseboards.

RTV silicone sealant is great for these applications because it can create absolutely watertight seals. Thanks to its excellent adhesive properties, you can apply it easily and trust it to stay waterproof and sturdy for years to come. In rooms that are often damp, like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, a mold and mildew resistant silicone caulk can add an extra layer of protection from water damage.

Preparation Is Easy

To prepare baseboards for silicone sealant, you’ll just need to clean the surfaces you’re sealing and ensure adequate ventilation.

To clean the surfaces, you’ll need:

• A spray bottle of mild cleaner
• Drying rags, such as a microfiber cloth

Use the squirt bottle, brush, and drying cloth to lightly spritz the baseboards with water and scrub/wipe away any dirt or grime. Wipe the cleaner off quickly to keep moisture from soaking into the baseboard.

Allow the cleaned baseboards to dry completely. Silicone will not bond to damp surfaces, so it’s important to make sure everything is bone-dry before you cut the nozzle and start applying sealant. A hair dryer or heat gun can help speed up the drying process.

Silicone Sealant Creates Beautiful Seals

While not every seal needs to be nice to look at, baseboard seals will be seen by nearly every guest who enters this space. As a result, it’s important to choose the right caulk that will enhance the look and feel of a room, not detract from it.

One technique that will help you get perfectly clean lines around baseboards is to apply painter’s tape before you begin to apply a bead of caulk. The tape is like bumpers around a bowling lane, keeping the sealant right where you want it and allowing you to smooth the caulk effectively without worrying about excess caulk getting stuck around the seal.

Another technique that can help you ensure beautiful caulking is caulk smoothing. Whether you decide to use your finger or a set of caulking spatulas, you can smooth before you let the caulk dry to help cover any mistakes and create a consistent appearance across the gap.

Should I Paint Baseboards before or after Caulking?

Before you apply the caulk, you'll want to paint or stain the baseboards to whatever color your client is going for. Whether you go with a stain-blocking solution made especially for baseboards or stick with a simple coat of paint, it’s a good idea to do this first because silicone isn’t a type of paintable caulk.

Seal Baseboards with Silicone Depot's 100% RTV Silicone

If you’re ready to start stocking up on silicone sealant for baseboards and any other projects that may come your way, we’re here to help. You can browse our selection of silicone caulks and sealants or give us a call at 812-824-8000 for help choosing the best sealant for your next job.