Caulking is a very important part of maintaining a home. Some homeowners may not understand the benefits of caulking and why it is important in the upkeep of their home but any contractor (be they a painter or a plumber), who does work on your home, uses caulk to help maintain your home and prevent the need for repairs in the future.

What is Caulking and Why is it Used?

Caulk is a sealant that is used prior to painting to help seal cracks, gaps, and holes in your home’s exterior. Two benefits of caulking your home are that you can maintain the overall aesthetic of your home and repair any irregularities.

If you have holes or other imperfections in your home’s exterior, a painter will use caulking material to fill in those flaws to create a smooth surface for painting. This is done so that your final product looks clean and uniform.

Caulk is also used to help seal your house to prevent moisture and airflow, which can cause mold. Using caulk to close off these spots also helps prevent drafts in your home, which can improve your heating and cooling costs.

Where Should I Caulk?

If you are attempting to caulk your home on your own, look for places that moisture may intrude on the home. There are a few places you should always caulk, including:

1. Around window and door frames. Lots of air and moisture can find its way into your home where your window and door frames meet the exterior of your home.
2. At siding joints. Caulking will help fill in the gaps in your siding. Be careful however; most experts do not suggest caulking cedar siding.
3. Any openings or cracks in surfaces. Caulking these surfaces will help stop these imperfections from getting larger or more moisture from getting in.

How Do You Use Caulking?

Like any home maintenance skill, caulking takes practice and patience to get right. Cutting the tip of the tube at an angle and going slowly will help you do it correctly. You want to make sure you are using enough caulk to fill in the gaps, but not so much that it oozes everywhere and makes the lines sloppy and distorted. You can also use a damp rag to smooth the surface after placement. Make sure you have ample time for drying before attempting to paint over any caulk.

Do You Need to Maintain Caulking?

You’ll need to maintain or hire someone to maintain your caulking over time. Doing an annual inspection of your home can help you know when it’s time to apply new caulk. When you notice that gaps and other defects are appearing you may need to do some minor maintenance. Taking care of your caulking quickly can help elongate time between larger home repairs, and eventually save you time and money.

Contact Flying Colors Painting for a free property inspection! We’ll take a look at your exterior and interior and assess the condition of the paint and caulk on your home. We’re fully equipped to overlay broken caulking, caulk butt joints and windows, and do any other work you need from us.