How to Caulk Your Kitchen Sink for Long-Lasting Results

Expert tips to keep your kitchen sink from leaking with caulk

Co-authored by Art Fricke and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 Fact Checked

Caulk is a flexible, synthetic substance typically used to seal cracks between certain materials, preventing airflow and leakage. When it comes to your kitchen sink, caulk can help keep water from seeping beneath the rim and causing a mess. However, caulk dries out and cracks over time, so it needs to be replaced periodically to help keep the area clean and dry. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do just that, with tips from home improvement experts.

How to Caulk a Sink

Remove any old caulk and clean the sink. New caulk won't stick to wet surfaces, so pat down the area and let it air dry. Use tape to designate the area you want to caulk. Cut off the tip of the caulk tube and pull the trigger to release a thin line of caulk. Remove the tape, smooth out the caulk, and allow it to dry.

1

Clean the sink thoroughly.

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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.

2

Remove the previous layer of caulk.

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Get rid of any old caulk with a utility knife. Using a utility knife, position it 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. Once you’ve cut through, pull it free from the rim. 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.^{[1]
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- Home improvement specialist Eric Shipe says that using a hair dryer to heat up the caulk makes for an easy removal. He advises, “Try a low setting and increase if needed. Once melted, you can use a razor blade to scrape it off.”^{[2]
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- Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle offers another option for removing the caulk: “You can also use an olfa knife. It has a super sharp thin blade. And you can use that as well to try to get all the caulking out.”^{[3]
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- If the caulk still doesn’t break up easily, Shipe suggests applying a caulk remover around the rim of your sink.^{[4]
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3

Clean up a second time.

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Allow the area to dry. Let the sink's rim and counter edge dry completely. New caulk won’t stick to wet surfaces, so wipe it with a towel and let it air-dry before you start your application.^{[5]
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4

Create a perimeter around the sink with tape.

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Be sure to leave a thin gap between the tape and the sink. The gap is where you will apply the caulk. 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.^{[6]
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- Home renovation specialist Art Fricke says you can use either painter’s tape or masking tape for this step. He instructs, “Take the masking tape and use it to make a nice line of caulk.”^{[7]
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- Fricke warns, “Once you start getting silicone all over the place, it's really difficult to fix that.”^{[8]
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5

Open the caulk tube.

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Cut off the tip of the caulk tube with a utility knife. Trim the end of the tube to a 45-degree angle so it fits tightly against the rim of your sink. Make the cut only as large as the opening around the sink to avoid having too much caulk come out at once. Since most caulk guns have a seal inside, insert the long metal pin attached to your caulk gun into the tube to puncture it.^{[9]
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- Insert the tip of the caulk tube into a caulk gun and push the plunger of the gun up into the back.
- Handyman Barry Zakar details how to properly open up the caulk tube. He recommends the following: “My first suggestion would be to keep the caulk opening relatively small so you get a small bead. Then just take your time and squeeze, trying to maintain an equal, even pressure on the gun as you move along and place the caulk.”^{[10]
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6

Prime the caulk tube.

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Squeeze it several times until the caulk rises to the tip of the gun. Wipe the excess caulk off of the tip with some paper towel so you get a clean start on your sink. Place the tip of the gun against the edge of the sink's rim where it meets the countertop.

7

Caulk around the rim of the sink.

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Slowly squeeze the trigger to release a thin line of caulk. Only apply slight pressure so you don’t spread too much caulk in one spot. Keep moving the gun as you squeeze the trigger, holding the tip of the gun tight up against the rim for a precise application.
- Move at a slow, consistent speed so the line of caulk has the same thickness along the entire edge of your sink.^{[11]
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- Apply the caulk all the way around the rim of the sink from one end to the next. If you need to stop your line at any time, overlap the start of the new line with where you finished the last one.

8

Remove the painter’s tape.

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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. Fricke adds one final step to his taping technique: “When you pick up the tape before the silicone gets tacky, you have a perfect caulk line that goes exactly where you want it to go.”^{[12]
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9

Smooth out the caulk.

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Wet your index finger and smooth the caulk to create a watertight seal. Press the caulk firmly against both edges of the rim and counter, sliding your finger as you go.^{[13]
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- Zakar is an advocate for the wet finger technique, stating that it “works pretty well” in achieving “a nice, smooth, even result.”^{[14]
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- Re-moisten your finger frequently to ensure it slides easily against the caulk.
- You can also use a caulk tool to smooth out your line if you don’t want to use your finger.

10

Wipe away any excess caulk.

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Use the wet paper towel to wipe up any excess caulk or caulk that has strayed too far from the edge of the rim.^{[15]
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11

Allow the new caulk to dry.

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Fricke advises against impatience when it comes to allowing the caulk to dry. He says, “You can speed it up a little bit by blowing air over it. A fan or a hair dryer on low can help. However, if you heat the silicone up, it will actually take longer to cure,” he shares. He adds, “My rule of thumb with silicone is to let it do what it's going to do.”^{[16]
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Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Interview}

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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