Silicone sealant / caulk question

[rorr2001]

Hi guys,

I've read that caulk doesn't stick to itself, but the section that needs replacing in my shower is so small I am wondering if it's really necessary to rip out the whole section, or can't I just caulk the small bit and join it to the bottom right and section to the left for about a foot:

Untitled

• rorr2001
• 9 Dec 2014
• 1

Cheers!

 

[ree]

No, you can do as you propose.

It appears that the in-place clear silicone is a re-caulking over an initial bead of silicone. You must thoroughly clean and dry the area you intend to seal.

FWIW: your shower enclosure frame and the wall tile are barely catching the edge of the shower base rim. Keep your eye on this, or water might be leaking out and down even with the silicon caulking.

 

[longdogs]

Don't confuse silicon and caulk, Silicon goes inside your shower and caulk is for filling gaps when decorating. That's how I see it anyway in the UK, although I have seen American videos explaining how to 'caulk' around a toilet or shower but using silicon.

Is that correct ree?

 

[ree]

There's no confusion here: silicone caulk is the spelling, and the material, and the method in the UK and the USA.

Silicone is a material that is used to caulk something. Although its often abbreviated as: "to silicone" something.

 

[geraldthehamster]

In the UK, the common terms are "silicone sealant" and "decorator's caulk". We don't normally refer to the former as "caulk", or to its use as "caulking", though technically it is a kind of caulking.

It's worth making the distinction to ensure that the OP buys the right stuff.

Cheers
Richard

 

[ree]

Why would the OP buy the wrong stuff? He refers to caulk, and i stay on page and refer to silicone caulk - i doubt that he's going to caulk or seal his bath rim with decorator's caulk.

Caulk or sealant, it often come in tubes, and is applied with a caulking gun.
Small "toothpaste" tubes are often labelled silicone caulk.

Professional tilers use the term Caulk almost exclusively in the USA, and pretty frequently in the UK, & neither they nor their customers have ever been confused by use of the term in my limited experience.

 

[geraldthehamster]

I wasn't willing to argue with you the last time we disagreed on terminology, and I'm certainly not going to start now.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Johnmelad]

 

[ree]

And ... ? I'm happy that you can do images, perhaps you will now do reading and read the full thread?

 

[xr4x4]

And what..

He's proving that in the uk caulk is caulk and silicone is silicone.

They are different are used for different things.

Why can't you grasp that?

 

[planenut]

Silicone sealant is not for filling gaps, decorators caulk is, but should not be used to provide a waterproof seal.

 

[Johnmelad]

And ... ? I'm happy that you can do images, perhaps you will now do reading and read the full thread?

Seems to me that it is you who has reading problems, as well a understanding pictures.

This is a UK forum and in the UK caulk and silicone are two different things.

Silicone around the sink (basin) to you.

Caulk around the skirting (baseboard) to you.

 

[ree]

xr4x4,


"caulk is caulk" and "silicone is silicone" ... so what, who said that they were'nt? In the UK, the London based OP used the term "caulk" to mean a sealant, and a method of sealing the frame and tile - go figure?

"They are different" - read what i wrote.

"used for different things" - read what i wrote.

Why cant you grasp that reading what's been written might solve some of your foolish bewilderment.
___________________________________________________________
planenut,

Are you thick ? Cant you read what i've written? Or are you some kind of child who merely repeats what other informants write?

_______________________________________________________________

Johnmelad,

"caulk and silicone" often mean different things but they are also inter-changeable terms, eg. the OP's reference to caulk as a sealant and a method of sealing.

If you took the trouble to look up some of my past posts you might be surprised to discover that i have a grasp of where the Forum is located, and a little knowledge of UK building practices & terms.

When you try to be smart you should be aware that in both the UK & the USA, sinks are in kitchens, and basins in bathrooms. In the USA, basins are never referred to as sinks by professional people.

It might also surprise you to learn that the term "skirting" is still used by some traditional US joinery shops.

FWIW: i could post pics of cartridge tubes of UK silicone caulk but why dont you go google them for your own education?

 

[geraldthehamster]

He's back

 

[ree]

geraldthehamster,

You were not willing to argue on Tuesday but you are willing to make snidy remarks on Wednesday. A slightly unpleasant trait.

Perhaps it all started when the boys came out to play.