Whether you're using
acrylic latex caulk to plug up a drafty window or
silicone caulk to waterproof a tub, you'll usually end up needing only half a tube at one time. So it's pretty much a given that when you reach for that tube again, it'll be stopped up with dried caulk.
No need to toss a perfectly good (half) tube of caulk, though. There's an easy way to get at the fresh caulk that's trapped behind the dried-up stuff. Read on:
1. Grab a nice, sharp
utility knife and use it to split the caulk tube's nozzle lengthwise. Always push a sharp utility knife away from you, not toward you. If you want to be extra safe, Consider securing the tube in a
vise or
c-clamp first. This will prevent a slippery tube from rolling suddenly, causing your grip on the knife to slip too.
2. Use a
flat-head screwdriver to
pry loose the dried-up caulk. It's likely plugging up the entire nozzle, but chances are the caulk in the tube itself is just fine and usable.
3. Repair the slit nozzle by wrapping duct tape around the nozzle several times.
4. Load the tube into your
caulking gun and get to work!
Got any other tips for unclogging a tube of caulk? Share them here!
Judi Roaman: We Talk Endlessly About the Next President,…
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
I usually just plug the end of the nozzle with a long nail or even sometimes a phillps head screw to keep the caulk from drying out.
Replywhen i'm done with the caulkig tube i put a nail down the tube opening and duct tape it so no air gets in. some of my friends simply use a wir nut which also can do the job
Reply