An Insider's Guide On Caulking

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An Insider's Guide On Caulking
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Synopsis

1. Caulking Services
2. Interior Caulking
3. The Importance of External Caulking
4. How to Seal a Water Leak
5. Window Caulking
6. Using Caulk To Repair Window Leaks
7. The Importance of Window Caulking
8. Top 6 Mistakes Made During Window Caulking

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Caulking Services

• Caulking services are performed as a way to
  increase the energy efficiency of a home or
  building. It is also useful to prevent the
  infestation of certain insects, such as ants and
  rodents.
• Caulking services can also be used when
  installing new home appliances. Placing caulking
  along the base of the appliance ensures that it
  remains in place this reduces strain on the
  appliance, saving time and money by avoiding the
  hassle of having to do major repairs later or
  replace the appliance.
• Sometimes in construction, the workers will
  install a backer rod in addition to caulking.
  This is a piece of foam that is placed behind the
  caulking bead to provide more elasticity and
  reduce caulking consumption. The backer rod helps
  to determine the thickness of the caulking and
  the shape of the caulk that is placed on the
  joint or gap. It forces the caulking into place
  and provides a more solid sealant and a better
  bond.
• The backer rod helps keep the caulking from
  attaching itself to the bottom of an opening, an
  unwanted phenomenon known as a three-sided-bond.
  The caulk is instead adhered to the opening in
  an hour-glass shape this creates a more flexible
  hold which is less likely to tear.

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Interior Caulking

• When caulking is applied correctly to the
  interior of a home or office, it should be air
  and watertightmeaning no unwanted air or water
  will be allowed to seep indoors and cause leaking
  or mildew growth.
• Most indoor gaps are small and only require a
  very small bead of caulking to cover the space.
• When you caulk the interior of your home or
  office, always use a caulk that complements the
  color of the trim. If the trim is wood, then
  white caulking is suitable if the trim is
  stained a darker color, then you will want to use
  a brown caulk. When applying the caulk to the
  trim, always use a dampened cloth and apply only
  a thin bead at a time in order to give it a
  smoother appearance.

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Interior Caulking

• When you are caulking the interior of a home or
  building, it is of utmost importance that you
  ensure that the baseboards, floor trim and door
  casings do not have any gaps. These gaps provide
  space for insects to enter and allow heat and
  cool air to escape. When you are caulking these
  areas, you will want to remove any door hinges or
  locks before applying the product to ensure a
  cleaner, smoother look.
• Caulking is best used for small repairs in
  non-structural areas of the wall. Interior
  caulking is intended for making minor repairs to
  wallboards or window sills. Any larger cracks or
  structural damage needs to be dealt with using
  much heavier repair equipment such as stucco or
  plaster.
• If you are caulking a gap that is larger than ¼
  inch, you are going to need to use two layers of
  caulk. This is because, as caulk is applied, it
  begins to shrink from its original size.
• With very large gaps, ½ inch or larger, you will
  need to pre-fill the area and use a foam backer.
  Push the foam backer into the gap first and then
  apply the caulking to the area you want covered.

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The Importance of External Caulking

• If there is a problem with your exterior
  caulking, you often will not realize it until it
  is too late and the damage from rain or snow has
  been done. Before winter starts, it is a good
  idea to take a walk around the perimeter of your
  home and inspect the areas which may have been
  affected by past winters. Some places to inspect
  include
• Edges of your homes foundationwhere the siding
  starts
• Places where siding meets the windows
• Corners particularly if there are any different
  materials connected together
• As you are inspecting the perimeter of your home,
  there are a few things you are apt to come
  across. Elements that you should pay close
  attention to and take care of right away are

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The Importance of External Caulking

• Any caulk that is shrinking from its original
  size
• Visible cracks in the seams of caulk
• Any seams of caulk that dont seem straight or
  appear to have shifted
• Caulk that appears less sticky
• If any of the above problems are evident once you
  have completed your exterior inspection, it is
  important that you take care of the issue right
  awaybefore the adverse weather conditions are
  here! If you wait too long, say after a severe
  rain or snow storm, water can seep through these
  areas where the caulk is damaged. This can damage
  your window sills or woodwork and cost you even
  more than a few tubes of caulk would have.

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How to Seal a Water Leak

• Look for areas of condensation in your home and
  basement. Condensation is what occurs when
  moist, warm air comes in contact with cool walls.
  If you notice any wet areas on the floors or
  walls, this could signal a problem with
  condensation. There is an easy test you can
  perform to see if you are experiencing an issue
  with condensation. Tape some plastic wrap to the
  wall, ensuring that it is completely sealed to
  the wall. Leave it there for a few days. When
  you return to the area, check to see if there is
  any moisture build-up within the plastic wrap.
  If you see moisture on the wall covered by the
  plastic wrap, you have a leak. If there is
  moisture on the outside of the plastic wrap, then
  it is condensation.
• If it turns out to be a condensation problem,
  that can be easily resolved open a few windows
  to let the air circulate and also install a
  dehumidifier in the room.
• If it is a leak, you are going to have to take
  more serious steps to fix the problem. A sealant
  must be applied to the area to mend the leak.
  There are many types of sealants made for
  repairing water leaks. You must do your homework
  and figure out which one is right for your
  situation. Sealants can be placed on a damp
  surface however, if there is any standing water,
  it must be removed first.

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Window Caulking

• Caulking Window Interiors for Aesthetics
• On many windows, caulking between glass panes
  provides a classic appearance--and yet it is
  largely unnecessary. The caulk between the glass
  and the frame looks good and provides the
  illusion of warmth, but it does nothing to keep
  out wind, rain, or drafts. Because most windows
  fit tightly together, there is no need for caulk.
  If you want the aesthetic effect the service
  provides, you can simply add painter's caulk to
  your windows.
• Special Concerns for Replacement Windows
• Caulking for a replacement window is optional
  because they are typically well-sealed from
  within. To ensure this, they do need to be sealed
  around the frame where the window fits the wall
  opening. While windows do come in standard sizes,
  the original opening was cut for another window.
  Making sure that the caulk properly fills the
  empty space is vital for the health of your home.

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Window Caulking

• Where to Avoid Applying Caulk
• The caulking gun is fun, right? However, using it
  too much can cause a problem with moisture.
  Caulking not only prevents moisture from getting
  in, but it also prevents it from getting out.
  This is a difficult balance, so if you feel that
  you need guidance, call a professional. If
  moisture becomes an issue it can lead to mold and
  wood rot, so professional help is a good thing.
• When to Caulk
• The best time to caulk is before you need to
  caulk. You will have better results by not
  feeling rushed and it gives you time to work out
  any issues. Now, knowing the ideal conditions for
  caulking is a different matter. You will want it
  to be above 45 degrees and dry. This means you
  need to know your climate. If you live in a place
  where there is only one warm, dry month out of
  the year, plan ahead. A professional will have
  tools and tricks of the trade to cheat weather
  restrictions, but for a DIY job, stick with fair
  weather.

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Using Caulk To Repair Window Leaks

• First, you will need a pry bar and hammer to
  remove the window trim from either the inside or
  outside.
• Spray some expanding foam in the areas
  voiddont worry if you overfill the area! Avoid
  touching the foam while it is wet because this
  will lead to a hard-to-clean mess! Wait several
  hours for the foam to dry, and then use a knife
  to cut away any excess around the edges of the
  window frame.
• Next, replace the window frame in the opposite
  way you removed it. You can purchase touch up
  paint to repair the paint job around the window
  frame.

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The Importance of Window Caulking

• Caulking is the most effective way a homeowner
  can reduce the amount of air, water, and moisture
  that leaks inside their home. Buildings built in
  the last twenty years are much more susceptible
  to leakage than in the past. By reducing these
  leaks, you will not only save on the construction
  of the building, but also protect it from the
  damage the leaks can cause. Caulking your home
  can also improve the quality of the air within
  the home and improve the function of the HVAC
  unit.
• An older building or home naturally loses its
  ability to retain heat in the winter and keep the
  heat out in the summer. Sometimes, this is due to
  the building not being tight enough. In other
  instances, cracks develop in the walls as it
  ages the original caulking seal may be pulling
  apart, causing these cracks to widen.

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Top 6 Mistakes Made During Window Caulking

• Selecting the wrong caulk
• Choosing high quality caulk is very important.
  Even though you may pay more, you will be getting
  more value for your money and a product that will
  offer better results.
• Applying too much caulk
• Before caulking over a crack, consider the size
  of the crack. There is no need to spend a lot on
  quality product only to end up wasting most of
  it. This is a waste of your time and resources.
  Create an action plan first so that you have a
  good idea of the number of cracks you will need
  to caulk over before getting to work. In order to
  be sure that you are using the right amount of
  product, use a backer rod to fill the crack
  before applying the caulk.
• Skipping the tooling procedure
• This step is actually one of the most important.
  If you are a business, it demonstrates your
  professionalism level and can earn you positive
  feedback from clients. Tooling usually results in
  a neat and appealing job. Using your fingers
  allows you to evaluate how well the gaps are
  held. To prevent your fingers from getting
  stained with the caulk, ensure that they are
  soapy before tooling.

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Top 6 Mistakes Made During Window Caulking

• Ignoring old caulk
• All work needs to be done neatly and attentively.
  Do not forget to remove old caulk before adding
  the new product. This is critical to achieving
  satisfactory results. Over time, the caulk ages
  and some moisture becomes trapped within the
  caulk. You can use a putty knife or razor blade
  to remove old caulk. For the stubborn, hard caulk
  you can use the caulk remover gel.
• Prematurely exposing caulk to water
• Different caulk has different needs so you need
  to understand and know the type of product you
  are using. Some caulk needs a full day after
  application before being exposed to water while
  other caulk require 3 days before contact with
  water.
• Using the wrong applicator.
• To dispense the caulk you need a good caulk gun.
  There are various caulk guns on the market, so it
  is important to avoid buying a cheap or
  counterfeit product. Be keen and well-informed
  when purchasing to avoid this petty mistake.
  Technique is also essential. Remember that a
  caulk gun is always held at 45 degree angle when
  applying caulk.

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The End

• For more details, please visit
• https//caulkingprofessionals.ca/window-sealing/
• https//caulkingprofessionals.ca/interior-caulking
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