How to Caulk Around a Faucet

After you install a new faucet in your tub or sink, and you’ve got the water working correctly, you’re not quite done. No matter how well you’ve installed the faucet, the point where the base of the faucet meets the sink or wall won’t be sealed against moisture until you caulk. A thin, smooth bead of caulk around that faucet base will ensure that you don’t have mildew and other problems there in the future.

Toothbrush
Bleach
Caulk
Caulk gun
Utility knife
Long framing nail

Instructions

- 1
  Dip the toothbrush in bleach and use it to scrub the base of the faucet where it meets the wall. Get rid of any dirt or debris. Rinse. Let it dry completely.
- 2
  Set a caulk tube in your caulk gun. Cut off the end of the tube with a utility knife, making a diagonal hole there of about 1/8th inch wide. Slide a nail into the hole to break the seal and release the caulk. Squeeze the trigger until the caulk emerges from the end. Press the release latch on the gun to stop the flow of caulk.
- 3
  Set the tip of the tube against the base of the one end of the line. Squeeze the trigger again, pushing the caulk out.
- 4
  Continue squeezing the trigger while running the tip of the gun around the whole base of the faucet in one unbroken line that encircles it entirely.
- 5
  Lift the gun away and hit the release latch to stop the flow of caulk.
- 6
  Wet your thumb and run it around the base of the faucet to completely smooth out the caulk and seal it. Let the caulk dry for 24 hours.

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