Caulk v sealant v filler

[CotswoldsRetreat]

Hi all

I have a number of jobs to do in our new house - including but not limited to:

1. filling small gaps between skirting board and wall
2. filling small holes where I have removed screws and their rawl plugs
3. where screws have been removed a bit of plaster has come away from the wall
4. sealant around some of the double glazed windows has gone black and mouldy

For some of the above I would have plumped for a tube of filler - 1, 2 and 3 above - and for the mouldy sealant I would have got a tube of sealant (naturally enough).

But I've just learnt about decorators caulk which is described on a well known online retailer as a "filler and sealant".

Would caulk be good for 1, 2 and 3 above?

Also, can caulk or filler be drilled into when it has dried and become solidified?

Cheers.

[Grumps]

As a generalization, I work on the basis that Caulk will take paint whereas, Silicone will not.

Silicone will hold back moisture, Caulk will not.

I know that there are paintable Silicones but......

For #1, I'd certainly go with Caulk as it retains a 'plastic' type condition.

#2 and #3, Filler. Something you can build up and sand down.

As to drilling into any of them, Filler will probably fall apart. Caulk would likely clog up the drill bit.

You takes your choice.

[wine~o]

I've never found a decent quality caulk for filling gaps between skirting and wall, all seem to crack eventually,

Lately I've been using "Geocel, The works" sealant, which will be great for jobs 1 + 4 above, and is overpaintable (waterbased) within 1 hour (IIRC)

Then a good quality powder filler for jobs 2 + 3, once fully dry there should be no issues with drilling into the filler.

[CotswoldsRetreat]

Thanks Grumps and Wine~o for the replies - it is much appreciated.

[OchAye]

Hi all

I have a number of jobs to do in our new house - including but not limited to:

1. filling small gaps between skirting board and wall

Caulck.

2. filling small holes where I have removed screws and their rawl plugs

Filler (powder or other).

3. where screws have been removed a bit of plaster has come away from the wall.

Filler.

4. sealant around some of the double glazed windows has gone black and mouldy.

Remove most of it, use silicone remover to get to the rest. Silicone or caulk if you want it painted.

You can't really smoothen caulk on a flat surface like a wall, you can't sand it either. Use it where you can smoothen it with your finger or a wet cloth etc. Filler for walls/plaster/holes. Permanent cracks on walls (e.g. plasterboard joints have to be taped and filled over).

[CotswoldsRetreat]

You can't really smoothen caulk on a flat surface like a wall, you can't sand it either. Use it where you can smoothen it with your finger or a wet cloth etc. Filler for walls/plaster/holes. Permanent cracks on walls (e.g. plasterboard joints have to be taped and filled over).

Cheers - thanks for the tip.