There are many different types of caulks made for different environments and purposes. When buying caulk for a bathroom, you’ll want to buy one that will provide a good long-lasting seal, and one that is not prone to break down over time in a humid environment.
Top 3 - Caulks for Toilet Base
Preview | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Gorilla White 100% Silicone Clear Caulk | |
 | Henkel Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant | |
 | GE Supreme 100% Silicone White Caulk |
What Type of Caulk Should I Get for a Toilet Base?
When choosing a caulk for applying around a toilet base, you’ll want to make sure that it is waterproof. This is not only because you want to prevent leaking and the damage that may ensue, but because bathrooms tend to be humid and humidity will affect non-waterproof caulk.
You also want to look for silicone-based caulk as they tend to be more resistant to cracking and shrinking over time.
There is also your color scheme to consider. White caulk can be great, but it is not always the best option for every color scheme. However, clear caulk can be great for most color schemes.
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you buy the right amount of caulk for the job. Small tubes of caulk are great for small projects as well as repairs. On the other hand, caulk cartridges supply a lot more caulk and are therefore great for longer projects.
The 3 Best Caulks to Use Around a Toilet Base
1. Gorilla White 100% Silicone Clear Caulk
The Gorilla White caulk is waterproof and is another great caulk for caulking around a toilet base.
It comes in a 10-ounce cartridge — which makes it ideal for heavy-duty projects as opposed to smaller repair projects.
One of the worst experiences I had with a generic caulk I bought was that after I used it to caulk around a couple of windows, the caulk actually shrunk! It was a complete waste of my time.
However, I did learn a valuable lesson, which is to only use caulk that does not shrink after it is applied. So, I tried the Gorilla White caulk and found it to actually do its job and not shrink over time.
Even better, the Gorilla White is water-ready within 30 minutes. As a result, I was able to apply this caulk in a couple of areas around my shower and after waiting 45 minutes (just in case) I took a shower and the caulking held true.
Another nice feature is that the Gorilla White won’t yellow over time. This means that you don’t have to worry about stripping out the old caulk and applying a new caulk every time the caulking yellows.
The Gorilla White comes in a cartridge and therefore needs to be used with a caulk gun. The caulk gun allows for a quick and smooth job. I found that it is easier to do consistent caulking with a caulk gun because each squeeze brings out the same amount of caulk.
While the Gorilla White can be used to do spot repairs, its strengths are better fitted for putting in new caulk or replacing old caulk.
All in all, I think the Gorilla White is a great option for longer projects and is also great for using in the bathroom because it is waterproof and mold resistant.
2. Henkel Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant
The Henkel sealant is also Silicone-based but it is not white. Instead, it’s clear. Since it’s clear, it is ideal for blending into its surroundings and especially when used near any glass.
My wife used it to fix a glass vase once and it worked like a charm. Though we don’t usually fill that vase up with water, she did just to see if the sealant would actually work — and it did!
I see this clear sealant as a “jack of all trades” when it comes to blending into its surroundings. In other words, if I don’t want someone to see the sealant, then I use the Henkel.
I find it to be a good option for any color scheme. It does not “steal” or interrupt the surrounding color scheme. Instead, it accentuates its surroundings.
Unlike other caulks, I’ve noticed that the Henkel does not have a strong odor to it. So, when I used it to seal around a pipe under my sink, I could actually breathe.
Since the Henkel is small, I find that it is best used for small precision projects or as a spot repairer.
Just a little tip I picked up, once you are done using it, you can put a nail through the opening to seal it. It acts like a cap, and it is also easy to remove the nail when you want to use the Henkel again.
Overall, the Henkel is a long-lasting waterproof sealant that can be used for just about any surface or color scheme as it is both an adhesive.
3. GE Supreme 100% Silicone White Caulk
The GE Supreme is great for quick and small caulking projects. It’s waterproof which makes it fit for caulking around a toilet and since it has 100% silicone, it is less likely to shrink or crack over time.
I like to have GE Supreme on standby as it is a nice fast option for any caulking that needs to be done in the bathroom. Because of its small size of 2.8 ounces, I see it as a great option for quickly filling in any cracks or holes.
I also like that you don’t need a caulking gun to use it. Instead, you can just squeeze out the amount that you need. This makes it ideal for quick and small projects.
Then, there is the drying time to consider. The GE Supreme promises a 30-minute water-ready drying time! If you are like me and only have one bathroom, then drying time is definitely important.
In my experience, this did hold true. It dried within just 15 minutes even during the hottest and most humid of days.
This caulk is very thick and quite sticky. Coupled with the fast drying time, things can get really challenging if you don’t have any prior experience in caulking around a toilet base. For this reason, I recommend working in smaller sections of around 6 to 8 inches to ensure a smooth, error-free application.
GE Supreme is a 10-year mold-free caulk. This is especially important if you are going to be caulking in your bathroom, as bathrooms tend to get humid which only incentivizes mold growth.
Due to its smaller size, I find that it is best to use as a spot repairer. In other words, if I see that there are some cracks or holes in the caulk, then the GE Supreme is ideal for going around to all those spots and filling in the cracks or holes.
Since it is a white caulk, it is great when matching white trims and surfaces. All in all, the GE Supreme is a useful caulk to have on hand for quick repairs.
Should I Put White or Clear Caulk Around a Toilet?
Whether you put white or clear caulk around a toilet is primarily a preference choice. While white caulk can be painted, it can be difficult when in between a toilet and title.
If the mortar between the tiles is a shade other than white, then I’ve noticed that white caulk looks out of place. In that case, I’d use clear caulk so that it blends in with its surroundings.
Another aspect to consider is the size of the space in which you plan to fill in. If it is a wide area, then clear caulk will look a bit odd there. However, since you can paint white caulk, it is usually the better option for wider areas.
Does Clear Caulk Yellow Over Time?
A common question is whether clear caulk will yellow over time. Yellowing happens when the caulk is exposed to moisture over long periods of time. So, in humid environments, caulk is more likely to yellow.
Thankfully, a good clear caulk will not yellow. In fact, you can buy clear caulk that is specifically designed not to yellow over time.
Should You Even Caulk Around a Toilet?
Yes. Caulk will prevent any water from seeping through your floor and damaging it as well as anything else the water “touches.”
However, you have to make sure you buy a caulk that is waterproof or else the caulk will be useless to put around a toilet.
Should You Seal Around a Toilet?
Sealing around a toilet protects its foundation and prevents water damage. Sealants can come in the form of caulk, but they can also come in the form of adhesives as well.
Typically, you should seal around any areas that may get wet — such as sinks, showers, and (of course) toilets.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are many different types of caulks that you can use, but if you want to caulk around a toilet, you’ll want a caulk that is waterproof, silicone-based, and blends in well with its surroundings.
It is also worth it to buy good-quality caulk as it will save you from having to continually replace lower-quality caulking.
