Quick answer: to use caulk tape, pull off any loose old caulk, clean the joint and let it dry completely, then cut the tape to length, peel off the backing and press it along the joint where the bath, sink or counter meets the wall. Run your finger firmly along the whole strip, especially at the ends and corners. Caulk tape is a quick cover-up for tired or stained caulk lines with no caulk gun needed; if you would rather re-caulk, a nozzle and smoothing tool help you lay a neat bead.
What is caulk tape?
Caulk tape (also sold as peel-and-stick caulk strip or sealant tape) is a flexible self-adhesive strip that covers the joint between a bath, shower tray, sink or worktop and the wall. Instead of squeezing out wet sealant, you stick the strip over the joint. It is a popular quick refresh when old caulk looks worn, stained or cracked, for example before guests come to stay over the holidays.
TidyMend sells a peel-and-stick caulk tape (3.2 m, white): a white PVC strip with a self-adhesive backing, 3.2 m × 2.2 cm (about 10.5 ft × 0.87 in). See all Caulk & Sealing Tape.
What you need
- Caulk tape long enough for the joint (measure first)
- Sharp scissors
- A plastic scraper or similar to lift loose old caulk
- A cleaner suitable for your surfaces, and a dry cloth
- Time for the joint to dry fully before you start
Step-by-step: how to apply caulk tape
- Measure the joint. Measure each straight run where the bath, sink or counter meets the wall, so you know how much tape you need. Our roll is 3.2 m long.
- Remove loose old caulk. Lift off any caulk that is peeling, crumbling or coming away. The tape needs a firm surface to stick to.
- Clean the area. Wipe the joint and the surfaces on both sides to remove soap residue, grease and dust.
- Let it dry completely. Self-adhesive tape sticks best to a clean, fully dry surface. In a bathroom, open a window or run the fan and leave the area unused for a while.
- Cut the tape to length. Cut one piece for each straight run. Working in shorter lengths is easier than trying to turn a corner with one long strip.
- Peel and press. Peel back a short length of backing, line the strip up along the joint and press it on, peeling and pressing as you go so it stays straight.
- Press the whole length firmly. Run your finger along the strip a few times so the adhesive sits flat, especially at the ends and in the corners.
- Leave it dry. Keep the area as dry as you can for a while after fitting, so the tape stays firmly stuck.
Caulk tape or re-caulking?
Caulk tape covers a joint; re-caulking replaces the sealant. If you prefer to re-caulk with a tube of silicone or acrylic sealant, tools help you get a neat line:
- The caulking finishing tool kit has 3 caulk nozzles, 1 scraper tool and 1 smoothing tool, for silicone, acrylic and other sealants. It is reusable; wipe the tools clean after use.
- The silicone caulk nozzle 3-pack slides onto a standard caulk tube so you can lay down and smooth a bead in one step.
Other bathroom and kitchen sealing fixes
- Stained grout lines: self-adhesive tile gap tape (6 m, white) covers stained grout and small gaps along tiles, counters and sinks, or refresh the colour with a grout pen (see how to use a grout pen).
- Water escaping from a walk-in shower: a silicone shower threshold water-stop strip is a bendable self-adhesive strip for a shower threshold or bathroom floor edge.
- Leaks under or between glass shower doors: shower glass door seal strips slide onto glass 4–6 mm thick.
- Chips in a tub, sink or tile: a two-part tile repair paste kit.
Tips for a neat result
- Work in good light so you can keep the strip straight along the joint.
- Do not stretch the tape as you apply it; press it on as it comes off the roll.
- Cut the ends square and neat at corners so they sit flat.
- If a section lifts, check that the surface underneath was fully dry and free of old caulk.
More options in the shop: the Fixmend clear caulk tape, 3 rolls (ships to the United States only) and the Mokani white caulk tape, 2 rolls (ships to the United States only).
Frequently asked questions
Can I put caulk tape over old caulk?
Remove any loose, peeling or crumbling caulk first and let the joint dry fully. The tape needs a clean, dry, firm surface to stick to.
Where can I use caulk tape?
Along the joint where a bathtub, shower, sink or countertop meets the wall, including a countertop joint along a backsplash.
Do I need a caulk gun?
No. Caulk tape is self-adhesive, so you peel off the backing and press it on. You only need a caulk gun if you are re-caulking with a tube of sealant.
What size is TidyMend’s caulk tape?
3.2 m × 2.2 cm (about 10.5 ft × 0.87 in), white PVC with a self-adhesive backing.
Is caulk tape the same as tile gap tape?
They are similar self-adhesive strips for different joints. Caulk tape covers the joint where a sink, tub or counter meets the wall; tile gap tape covers stained grout lines and small gaps along tiles.
Related guides
How to use a grout pen · How to fill nail holes in a wall · How to replace toilet seat bumpers · All TidyMend guides