We all want to protect our kitchens from everything life throws at them. Whether it’s staining from a cooking pot that overflows, milk spilled on the floor or simply a freezer door open for too long, there are a lot of things that can go wrong in a kitchen- and we haven’t even spoken about one of the most significant issues yet. We’re talking, of course, about leaks.
These can happen anywhere in our kitchens, and most of the time, they leak into a visible area. This is good as we can quickly pinpoint where the leak comes from and sort it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible every time due to the fact that leaks can occur underneath surfaces, including sinks. This is always very problematic; no leak is too small-you need to fix it immediately.
That’s where caulking your sink comes into the equation. But what actually is caulking, and how will it help your precious kitchen? Don’t worry, and we’re on hand to explain all of this.
The Best Ways to Caulk a Stainless Steel Kitchen
You can check out my favourite way to caulk a stainless steel sink here by following the link.
So what actually is caulking? Well to put it simply, caulk is a material that can be used to seal different structures and even buildings together in a tight fashion to prevent any gaps or leaking. This process is called caulking. It’s done to prevent leaking in most cases, but also prevents the infestation of bugs and prevents unwanted dust or air from entering.
Stainless steel sinks are a great choice because they complement most countertops from granite to Formica. Stainless steel sinks need flexible caulk to seal tightly against countertops and prevent moisture from getting under the counter.
With kitchen sinks, the main aim is to prevent leaking. This is so that your sink doesn’t get damaged over time, and so that it doesn’t become rusty if it’s regularly exposed to water.
So how do you actually caulk a sink? I know that when I was read about this process, I thought it sounded really difficult and that you’d need to get a professional in to do it- but it’s actually pretty simple, and you can do it yourself.
You should start by cleaning the surface you’re going to caulk with some sort of alcoholic substance, which will remove any harmful substances that could stop the caulk from setting properly and will ensure you do the best job possible.
You should then move on to caulking the sink. Trace the outline of the sink itself as this will provide the best possible seal- which is what you’re looking for after all. If you can lift the sink up, even a tiny bit, this is very good as you’ll be able to provide the best possible protection for your seal. Your caulking should be just under an inch wide for maximum protection.
You should then go over this trace again, making sure that you keep it neat and tidy as it’ll bolster the aesthetic aspects of your sink as well as physically protect it. Once you’ve finished the job, make sure you leave it all to set for at least 72 hours before you use the sink again.