From a general point of view, caulk and spackle may seem the same. However, these two serve different purposes, and if used interchangeably, you may not achieve the best results.
Today, our focus isn’t going to be on the differences between these two. We will be looking into whether it’s possible to use spackle over the caulk and what benefits one can achieve from this.
Why Would Someone Want to Spackle Over Caulk?
Many people have used spackle over caulk. The main aim is to prevent cracks from recurring between mitered baseboard pieces. It’s amazing how DIYourselfers come up with these brilliant ideas and theories.
The assumption is that as wood contracts or expands due to temperature changes, the spackle won’t crank since it’s not in direct contact with the baseboard pieces. It’s the caulk that will be between them.
Even though much research is yet to be done on this procedure, many people have tried this and achieved great results. Theoretically, spackle over caulk can prevent cracking, just as how drywall mud can seal in caulk on cracks.
How Do I Spackle Over Caulk?
It’s a very simple procedure that doesn’t require a lot of skill and knowledge. If you are dealing with a crack, what you have to do is fill in some caulk inside.
Give it time to dry and shrink before applying some spackle and leveling it to achieve a uniform surface on the wall. From there, you can use primer and paint over it.
What are Caulk and Spackle?
To better understand the spackle over caulk trick, we need to look into each of these products.
Spackling compounds are drywall and wood fillers. Spackle is a brand name that makes fillers containing vinyl polymers, calcium carbonate, and clay.
Other brands also make these drywall and wood fillers, but they will still comprise the same ingredients. The difference will be in the concentrations used.
Be it as it may, spackling products are excellent for patching holes on flat surfaces. These fillers dry to a hard finish and can be sanded.
On the other hand, Caulk is a flexible material used to seal joints. It can be made of latex or silicone. Caulking products have strong adhesive properties.
This is why they can be used to glue different materials together. Caulk is applied with the help of a gun. Please note that caulk isn’t sandable, and certain types of caulk can’t be painted over.
If you need to fill holes, the spackling compound is the best since it’s moldable and can be sanded. Caulking is ideal for filling gaps on wood trims.
It’s also important to mention that spackle can be used n large holes in drywall or plaster. Caulk, on the other hand, can best be used as a sealant. You can use it to fill the crannies on tiles, plumbing, and bathtubs.
Will Spackle Over Caulk Work?
Having understood what spackle and caulk are, have you understood how these two may work together to seal a crack and prevent the latter from reoccurring?
When you fill a crack with caulk, the flexible material gets into the crevices and bonds to both sides. As mentioned earlier, caulk has got very strong adhesive properties.
Once it dries and you layer spackle over it, the spackle dries into a hard finish which you can sand and paint over.
That results in a strong two-in-one filler that will resist cracking caused by changes in the temperature of the materials used.
It’s important to note that applying spackle over caulk is a DIY trick. Therefore, it’s important always to perform a patch test to gauge effectiveness. It may work for some people depending on the fillers being used.
Are There Any Issues You Should Be Aware Of?
Applying spackle over caulk isn’t a straightforward process. Certain issues may arise. Therefore, before starting such a project, you need to understand some of these issues.
First, the spackle must adhere to a hard surface such as drywall or wood. It can fall out when applied to a flexible material such as caulk. This is a valid concern. However, there is a way you can get over it.
And that’s by letting the caulk dry before applying the spackle. Caulk can take anywhere from one to ten days to fully cure. You mustn’t rush to apply spackle over the caulk immediately if you want lasting results.
The other concern associated with spackling over caulk is that these two products should be used for different projects. We have already explained the uses of each product above.
When you decide to use them together, you should know that this is more of a hack, and you can’t blame the manufacturers of each that spackling over caulk doesn’t work. Besides these two, there aren’t other issues that you should be worried about.
Should You Spackle Over Caulk Indoors or Outdoors?
If you make up your mind that you want to spackle over caulk, this project is best done indoors than outdoors. You may not know this, but spackle and caulk are designed for indoor use.
When you use them outdoors, there is a good chance that they won’t last for very long. If you are dealing with cracks in your home outdoors, you need to go for a much stronger filler that can withstand the harsh elements.
What Should Go First – Caulk or Spackle?
According to the above DIY recommendation, caulk should go first, followed by spackle. However, not everyone shares the same opinion.
Some claim that it shouldn’t go first because of the caulk’s flexibility and softness. It would be best to start with a spackle and then caulk on top.
The above sounds like a reasonable idea. However, what most people forget is that caulk is not sandable. Therefore, the finish won’t be uniform or smooth.
Therefore, unless aesthetics don’t matter to you, you can start with spackle and finish up with caulk. If you prefer a smoother finish, follow the recommendation shared above.
Start with caulk, let it dry, and finish up with spackle. Yes, there may be adhesion issues, but at least you are assured of a professional finish.
Can I Fill Nail Holes with Caulking and Spackle?
Another scenario whereby you may be tempted to use both spackle and caulk is when filling nail holes. Finding nail holes in your home is very common.
For most people, these holes tend to be unsightly. Therefore, you may be interested in filling them up as soon as possible.
There is no need to use both of these products when it comes to nail holes. Your best bet here would be to use spackling paste.
If you can get the paste inside the hole and wipe off the excess to level it, it should dry into a smooth finish. You can even sand it after and paint over it.
We are not recommending caulk because it’s soft and flexible. Therefore, it may not last for very long in that hole. Secondly, you can’t sand over caulk, so the finish won’t be very pleasant. In such a scenario, you shouldn’t use both.
Should I Use Spackle Over Caulk?
Despite sharing tips on making spackle work over caulk, if you can find an alternative to repairing a crack in your wall, we would advise you to use that.
We have already provided you with some concerns associated with using spackle over caulk. You can’t be 100% guaranteed that spackle will adhere to caulk, especially if you are repairing a significantly big hole or crack.
Spackling over caulk is an excellent idea when dealing with small cracks. However, it’s not the most effective method out there.
Depending on whichever material you are trying to fix a crack in, you should be able to find a quality filler that can bond to the surface and allow you to paint over.
Spackle and caulk is mostly a DIY procedure that can be used as a quick fix for cracks. It’s worth mentioning that the results may not be long-lasting.
Make sure that you find a permanent solution. If you cannot find a solution, you can always bring in the experts.
Obviously, in your town or area, there must be a construction company that offers repairs. No matter how big or small the crack is, the construction company can repair it.
Also, as you look for quick fixes, it’s crucial to determine the cause of the cracks in your walls. Cracks can be caused by several factors, such as leaks and structural problems.
Identifying the cause will enable you to prevent further incidences. And you won’t have to result to using spackle over caulk.
Can Spackle and Caulk Be Used Interchangeably?
No matter what people tell you, it’s important to understand that caulk and spackle shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Caulk is mainly a sealant.
You can use it to fill crannies and nooks on baseboards, tiles, windows, and other surfaces. Spackle is more of a repair product. It can be used on cracks, dents, and small holes.