Having a bathtub at home can be pretty nice. You can have an hour to yourself each week to just sit in your bathtub and relax. You can even try nourishing bath salts and fun bath bombs that will smell exquisite and leave your skin feeling moisturised.

But before you can enjoy your bathtub to the fullest, you have to ensure that it is in great shape. And that means proper maintenance.

One of the most crucial aspects of maintaining a bathtub is to understand which sealing agent or adhesive you should use. Here, we’ll discuss the roles caulk and sealant play in your bathtub maintenance so you can determine which one is the right choice for your bathtub.

What Is the Purpose of Caulk or Sealant in the Bathtub?

Caulks or sealants are mainly for bathtub installation or repair. They act as a sealing agent that is light but can still seal off water. 

These sealing agents can also be used in other ways in the bathroom. They can be used to create watertight seals, join sections of the wall together, stabilise wood, revitalise pre-existing tile, save old wallpaper from peeling and prepare areas to be painted. 

What Is Caulk?

Caulk can be used to refer to a lot of things because it is more of an umbrella term for different sealing agents. Caulk can be acrylic, latex or silicone. When using caulk to join surfaces together or repair cracks, one would need to have a caulking gun. 

Some may prefer caulk because it is easy to apply and remove. Caulk can also be painted over, so it can result in a much more seamless look. However, caulk also be brittle, and it cannot handle high-temperature changes. It is also not ideal for porous surfaces.

What Is Sealant?

Sealant is actually a type of caulk. But unlike caulk, which can be made from different materials, a sealant is typically made from silicone or other flexible material. Since the material in sealant is more flexible than caulk, it can fill over intrusive or awkward angles. Caulk also hardens or becomes rigid when dry, while sealant does not. This makes the sealant more water-resistant. 

However, sealant also has its downsides. Primarily, a sealant is much more difficult to apply than caulk. And when you don’t apply it correctly, you run the risk of creating holes or water pockets that can lead to future problems. Sealant is also more visible than caulk since it cannot be painted over.

Which Is the Better Choice for Your Bathtub?

Generally, people prefer using a sealant for their bathtubs because it is more water-resistant. The sealant can create a watertight seal that can also handle heavy temperature changes. 

However, since sealant cannot be painted over, it can be an issue for some. That’s why others may prefer to use a hybrid caulk that can be painted over while still being highly water-resistant.

In Summary

To enjoy your bathtub without worry, it’s important to maintain. And one way to do that is by using a sealing agent to create a watertight seal for your bathtub. Generally, a sealant is preferred over traditional caulk because it is more water-resistant. But some may also choose a hybrid caulk to get the benefits of both.

Create a watertight seal for your bathtub with the best bathtub caulk from Quality Seal Australia. We provide high-quality silicone and caulking services to the building industry in Brisbane and Gold Coast. At Quality Seal Australia, you can expect the best quality products, attention to detail, communication and turn-around times at a competitive rate. Get in touch with us today!