How to Caulk and Float a Door

Installing new door trim is an efficiency upgrade to a home. However, it must be followed up by the proper interior door weatherization and wall repair. Caulking and floating the door are two processes to complete the job. Read on to learn how to caulk and float a door.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Interior caulk
• Razor
• Caulking gun
• Damp cloth
• Spackle
• Trowel
• Sand paper
• Interior paint primer
• Interior paint

1. Use latex, silicone or painter's interior caulk. Cut the tip of the caulk bottle with a razor to allow the caulk to flow. Load the caulk bottle into the caulking gun for application.

2. Caulk the open area between the interior of the door and the door trim. Spread the caulk evenly by applying pressure to the caulking gun lever. Smooth out clumps or thickness with a finger. Wipe any errors with a damp cloth.

3. Load the prepared spackle onto a trowel for smoothing the voids or wall irregularities in the area surrounding the door trim.

4. Smear the spackle onto the dry wall. Scrape the trowel against the wall flush with the original surface of the wall. Clean excess spackle off of the wall with a damp cloth.

5. Set the wall for painting. Allow the spackle to dry. Then, use sand paper to rub away any grittiness from the spackle. Wipe the dust from the wall with a clean damp cloth.

6. Paint the wall. Coat one layer of paint primer and two layers of a chosen interior paint color.