How To Pierce The Inner Foil Of Caulk

Weather stripping your home saves money on home energy costs. Caulking around windows and doors prevents drafts and also protects your home against rain seeping inside your walls. Caulk tube cartridges come in many different types but each of them have a foil seal that protects the caulk until you are ready to use it. Pierce the inner foil of caulk to allow the caulk to flow from the tube.

Step 1

Hold the caulk tube in one hand and cut the end of the tip off at a 45-degree angle with a utility knife. The tip has several lines on the outside. Cut the tip at the closest line to the tip. Remove more later if you want a wider bead of caulk.

Step 2

Pull the plunger handle on the caulking gun all the way up with your hands. Insert the tube of caulk into the caulking gun with the tip at the end of the gun.

Step 3

Squeeze and release the caulking gun trigger to advance the plunger over the end of the caulk tube. Stop after the plunger makes contact with the tube.

Step 4

Insert a Phillips-head screwdriver or 1-penny nail into the center of the caulk tube tip to puncture the thin inner foil. Pull out the screwdriver or nail and wipe it clean with a rag.

Step 5

Operate the trigger a few more times until caulk begins to flow from the tube.