Do It Yourself Donts

[Randy F.]

Being that there are many more wrong ways to accomplish a given task than there are right ways I thought a thread covering some of the "donts" might be useful for those just getting their feet wet in repairs and renovations.

What have you seen done routinely that doesnt meet industry standards or even common sense?

What is the norm, isnt necessarily the best. What have you found to be a better method than how a given task is typically done in your area?

Note to newbies: Please dont take what I, or anyone else recommends as the gospel. Two "pros" may give two near opposite opinions on a given subject. Both may be right or acceptable, one or both may be wrong. My point is that it is wise to do your own research, drawing from various sources, and think it thru and decide for yourself.

I'll start it off with one o my biggest pet peaves.

NEVER use 100% silicone on a painted surface. You may walk away with it looking great, but the next guy to come along for a repaint, will have to remove the caulk because paint will bead up on it. Removing silicone from drywall is near impossible without removing the paint film its applied to. On textured drywall that often means scraping off paint and texture along with the silicone, patching, texture matching, and priming before paint.

There are three types of caulk most commonly used in renovations.

Latex caulk. AKA "painters caulk". Its a water soluable caulk used to fill and seal between two surfaces that will be painted. Left unpainted, latex will yellow, stain, catch dirt, and mildew.

Siliconized Acrylic caulk. A water soluable caulk with silicone added, used when filling and sealing between a painted and non-painted surface. While it is paintable, the silicone provides resistence to yellowing and staining.

100% silicone. NOT paintable. Used to fill an seal between two unpainted surfaces and the top choice for use in wet areas such as tubs and countertops.

These are general uses and some caulks are interchangeable, but this info should allow you to make the right choices in any given situation.

Not sure? If a tube of caulk does not say "paintable", it isnt paintable!