Flexible gap filler for skirtings

BuntyB

Hi, just finished fitting new skirtings and the gaps along the top range from 1mm to around 8mm because the walls aren't as straight as the skirtings. My OH has tried many flexible fillers, the cartridge type, costing from £2 to £5 a tube. We can't seem to find one that doesn't have shrinkage and always end up having to go around the gaps 2 or 3 times. It becomes quite costly to do it this way so I'm hoping someone out there has found the holy grail of non shrinking flexible filler

Thanks

clutterbug_2

For the wide bits we roll up some cling film and wedge it down, so it provides a base and less shrinkage. Doesn't eliminate shrinkage entirely though.

phill99

Acrylic based caulking is prone to shrinking and its common to go over it again.

WLM21

Do you really need a flexible filler ? After all, there should be no movement.

I had a similar problem and just put in PolyFilla (or maybe it was another similar 'ownbrand' product. I used my finger to squeeze it into the gap. When set, I painted it to match the skirting board (white gloss)

Just a tip .. get some clear latex gloves, cut out the fingers and stick one on your 'working finger' .. then when squeezing in filler, or even a silicon type product, you don't get it all over your finger. Licking the bit of glove helps too, not so much with a plain filler, but if using silicon, it helps.

phill99

WLM21 wrote: »

or even a silicon type product,

But silicon is not over paintable and therefore not ideal.

mart.vader

WLM21 wrote: »

Just a tip .. get some clear latex gloves, cut out the fingers and stick one on your 'working finger' .. then when squeezing in filler, or even a silicon type product, you don't get it all over your finger. Licking the bit of glove helps too, not so much with a plain filler, but if using silicon, it helps.

Yes, but the silicone tastes awful !

newbie1980

try decorators caulk not sure about the shrinkage but excellent for painting over in less than 1hr and only £2ish

BuntyB

Thanks, will progress with a little bit of all your ideas. Thanks

Leif

When you say the walls are not straight I take it you mean horizontally, not vertically? Dry walls are flat, and skirting can be glued. With plastered walls you might be better off screwing the skirting to the wall. This does mean you have screw holes to fill. The builders who put on my skirting used caulk. It was a mess, so I dug it out, and re-filled with two part filler. You can't see the holes, unless you get down on your hands and knees and look close. Visitors tend not to do that, and if they do, they are asked to leave. However, as others have said, if you do not want to add screws, caulk shrinks, and you have to refill, and touch up the paint work. You will find that over the years caulk will continue to shrink, and you get gaps. (I am surprised someone does not make a non shrinking filler, then again, I doubt there is a market for it, trades need to buy products at a good price, and no-one would buy expensive caulk that does not shrink after 5 years as customers tend to go for the trade with the best quote.)

molerat

I use decorators caulk from Poundland without any problems, maybe a bit of kitchen towel stuffed down bigger gaps.

Oldsoak

Don't keep licking your finger when using silicone it is a carcenagen it has been linked to oral cancers. Use a spray bottle or keep dipping tool/finger in water.