How to Caulk the Kitchen Sink

Co-authored by Art Fricke and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

Caulk can help keep water from seeping beneath the rim of your kitchen sink. Since it dries out and cracks over time, it needs to be replaced periodically to help keep the area it seals clean and dry.

Steps

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Scrub the rim of your sink and counter with soap and water to get rid of any dirt or grime on the surface.
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Remove any old caulk from the rim with a utility knife. Position your utility knife between the countertop and the sink and slowly slice through the caulk. Keep the blade flat so you don’t scratch your counters or sink base.^{[1]
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- If the caulk doesn’t come up easily, apply a caulk remover around the rim of your sink.
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If you can’t easily pull the caulk free after cutting it, grip it with a pair of needlenose pliers and gently tug it free.^{[2]
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Clean up the area with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove any old caulk residue and to ensure a clean surface ready to accept new caulk.^{[3]
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New caulk won’t stick to wet surfaces, so wipe it with a towel and let it air-dry before you start your application.
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Apply painter's tape to the counter next to the rim, leaving a thin gap for the caulk to be applied. Follow the shape of the corners of your sink with multiple pieces of tape to round off the edges. This will make clean up easier and ensure a straight, even caulk job.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}
- You can also use masking tape for this.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Art Fricke
  Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}
Trim the end of the tube to a 45-degree angle so it fits tightly against the rim of your sink.
Since most caulk guns have a seal inside, insert the long metal pin attached to your caulk gun into the tube to puncture it.
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Wipe the excess caulk off of the tip with some paper towel so you get a clean start on your sink.
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Only apply slight pressure so you don’t apply too much caulk in one spot.^{[9]
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Move at a slow, consistent speed so the line of caulk has the same thickness along the entire edge of your sink.
If you need to stop your line at any time, overlap the start of the new line with where you finished the last one.
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Pull away the painter's tape from the counter.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} Take the tape off while the caulk is still wet. If you wait until it’s dry, you’ll accidentally pull the caulk off as well.
- If you remove the tape before the silicone gets tacky, you'll have a perfect caulk line that goes exactly where you want it to go.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Art Fricke
  Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}
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Wet your index finger and smooth the caulk against the edge of the rim and the counter. This will provide a watertight seal. Press the caulk firmly against both edges of the rim and counter, sliding your finger as you go.
- You can also use a caulk tool to smooth out your line if you don’t want to use your finger.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Why does my caulk always end up super messy?

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman
Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

Kevin Turner

Commercial Handyman

Expert Answer

You really don't want to apply too much caulk. You want the bead to be as thin as possible while still covering the seam. This way, you'll have a much easier time cleaning the caulk up.

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Question

Are there products I can use to get a cleaner line?

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman
Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

Kevin Turner

Commercial Handyman

Expert Answer

Yes, they sell kits that make it a lot easier to smooth the caulk down and get a clean bead.

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Question

What should I use to wipe the excess caulk away?

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman
Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

Kevin Turner

Commercial Handyman

Expert Answer

Some people just use their finger to wipe it up, but I'd recommend using a rag or sponge.

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Tips

Use a kitchen and bath caulk. Caulks made specifically for these areas will last longer in wet environments than all-purpose caulks will.

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Warnings

The area where the caulk is applied has to be perfectly clean and dry before the caulk can be applied. Any dust, moisture, or old caulk will cause the new job to fail. If in doubt, wait overnight after cleaning the area before applying the new caulk.

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