• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»How to use a silicone sealant or caulk gun

How to use a silicone sealant or caulk gun

LAST UPDATED: 3rd January 2023 by The Editorial Team

How to use a silicone sealant or caulk gun

Summary: Step by step guide and video showing how to use a silicone sealant or caulk gun.

Contents

  • Using silicone sealant
    • Using silicone sealant in a caulk gun
  • How to use a silicone or caulk gun video

    Using silicone sealant

    Sealants are used for filling joints and bonding various components within a house. Such uses include filling in the edges of architraves or skirting boards, window and door frames, or for sealing around a bath or other similar places.

    Sealants are an essential adhesive, used widely in DIY. A gun is used to apply the adhesive, which is a simple process; however it must be done correctly in order to be effective.


    Using silicone sealant in a caulk gun

    • You will firstly need to open the tube of sealant. This can be done using either sharp scissors or knife. Cut the end of the nozzle off where marked. If there is not a manufacturer’s mark, then cut the tip at a 45 degree angle.
    • Insert the tube into the gun and practise using it on some old newspaper. You will want to get the hang of applying the sealant in even quantities. Be careful not to squeeze the trigger too hard or the sealant will shoot out. Be gentle and increase pressure gradually.
    • When you know how to use the gun sufficiently, inspect the area you want to use the sealant on and make sure it is completely clean. Any dust and dirt could affect the ability of the adhesive to bond properly.
    • Place the nozzle of the tube against the surface of where you want the adhesive applied and gently squeeze the trigger as you have practised. Holding the gun at a 45 degree angle, move it along the length of the area you want bonded once the sealant starts to come out of the nozzle.
    • When you have finished and want the sealant to stop coming out of the gun, press the release catch at the back which will stop all pressure on the tube.
    • You should check the job to make sure you have used enough sealant. It is usually best to have a little too much than not enough, as sealants need to fill the entire area that you are sealing or bonding. Any excess can be wiped away with a damp cloth.

    How to use a silicone or caulk gun video


    Author

    The Editorial Team

    The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.

    Related Projects

    • Replacing a bath
    • Installing a shower cubicle
    • How to replace silicone sealant around a bath or shower

    Recent Comments
    • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
    • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
    • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
    Latest News
    0

    Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

    1

    Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

    0

    Design trends for 2022 and 2023

    0

    Product Review: Handsaws

    Popular Guides

    Average home insurance cost

    Average cost of granite worktops

    Average septic tank cleaning cost

    Average cost of a loft conversion

    Popular Projects

    Combi boilers

    Fitting shutters

    Ideas to increase natural light in the home

    Extending a cable or flex

    DIY Categories
    Bathroom
    Building, brickwork and masonry
    Ceilings
    Cleaning
    Concrete work
    Damp, rot and infestation
    Drains
    Electrical
    Fireplaces
    Floors
    Garden
    Heating
    Insulation
    Kitchen
    Lighting
    Lofts
    Painting and decorating
    Plasterwork
    Plumbing
    Roof and guttering
    Safety
    Security
    Tiling
    Walls
    Windows
    Woodwork

    Self Build Guide
    How to find a building plot
    Evaluating a building plot (2023)
    How to get a self build mortgage
    Self build construction options
    Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
    Self build planning permission and legal consents
    © 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
    • Home
    • About
    • Contact us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT