Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Getting More Caulking Out of a Tube

Video, Painting Published 03/28/2008 by Joe Truini

It can be frustrating to run out of caulking when you’re almost through with the job. What you may not realize is that there’s usually a little more caulking left in the tube that the plunger on the caulking gun can’t quite push out.

To squeeze out that last little bit, cut a 2” long dowel or block of wood that will slide inside the tube.

Take the caulking tube out of the gun and insert the dowel in the tube.

Put the tube back on the caulking gun and snug the plunger up against the dowel.

The wood acts to extend the plunger, forcing out just enough caulking to finish the job.