How to Caulk in 5 Easy Steps Choose the Right Caulk Caulk that keeps air and water out over time is a necessity when sealing around the home. For a long-lasting seal, choose permanently waterproof, flexible, shrink-/crack-proof 100 percent silicone. Avoid using acrylic caulk, which can shrink and crack over time. Air and water can seep through gaps left by cracked caulk. Those leaks can lead to water damage, mold growth, and higher energy bills. Look for GE Silicone II* Window & Door or Kitchen & Bath, or, if you are painting, try GE Silicone II* Paintable Silicone. Remove old caulk, dirt, and loose particles with a caulk-removing tool, or a wire brush for concrete and masonry applications, and wipe clean with a cloth. Apply masking tape to either side of the joint to create a straight edge. (Remove immediately after caulk application.) If you do not want to deal with the hassle of taping, GE Caulk Smoother* can be an easy alternative. Prepare the Tube and Seal Cut the nozzle to desired bead size.
Pierce the inner seal with a stiff wire or other similar object. Insert cartridge into caulking gun. Seal around unsightly cracks or spaces inside and outside the home. If using a caulk gun, squeeze with even, consistent pressure to control the rate at which the caulk leaves the tube. Smooth the Caulk Seal Use your finger or a wet caulk-smoothing tool within two to five minutes of application. GE Caulk Smoother is a great tool to help achieve a smooth, clean bead of caulk. Store the Tube and Clean Squeeze the caulk until it's barely coming out of the tube. Replace the cap, or use a nail in the tube opening. Wipe hands with a dry cloth before washing with soap and water. To clean the area around the caulk, use mineral spirits for silicone caulk, and soap and water for acrylic. Sealing Tips and Advice Sealing Windows, Doors, Attics, and Basements Make sure doors and windows are closing securely and do not need to be rehung. If you plan to paint the exterior of the window or door frame, make sure the caulk you use also can be painted, or that the color caulk will be compatible with surrounding materials.
To get the tube started and test the flow, hold the caulk gun over a garbage can and apply pressure on the trigger. Get comfortable with using the gun before you start your job. Sealing Kitchen, Bath, and Plumbing Applications Swab the joint with rubbing alcohol to remove soap scum, body oils, and other residue. Rubbing alcohol dries quickly and leaves the surfaces impeccably clean so the new caulking will adhere well. When caulking a bathtub, fill it with water. You might even want to get into the tub wearing tall boots. This will pull the tub to the furthest distance from the wall. Apply a fresh bead of silicone sealant to the joint. If you are caulking a shower stall, work from the inside out. Do the inside seams before the external ones so you do not brush up against any uncured caulk and create extra work or a mess. Testing for Energy Leaks Your home should be tested twice a year (once in the spring and again in the winter) to see if you are protected from energy loss, pollution, pests, and moisture.
If you find gaps and cracks, be sure to seal—it's as easy as five simple steps. Test #1: The dollar bill test: Place a dollar bill between the doorjamb or between the window sash and sill. With the door or window closed, attempt to remove the dollar bill. If it slides out easily, you are losing energy. Test #2: The flashlight test: Shine a flashlight around the edges of your door at night. If you can see light from the other side, you're losing energy. Test #3: The moist hand test: Pass a moist hand around the edge of your doors and windows. Where you feel a draft, you are losing energy. This test works best on cold, windy days. Don't Waste Time and Energy Not all caulk is the same. Because silicone is permanently waterproof, flexible, and shrink-/crack-proof, unlike acrylic, it won't leave gaps or cracks for air and water to seep through over time. Those leaks can lead to water damage, mold growth, and higher energy bills—all of which can translate into your lost time (when you have to do the job again), lost energy, and lost money.
How do you install exterior door thresholds? To install exterior door thresholds, smooth the surface over which you want to install a threshold, take out the weather stripping, determine the threshold length required, and cut accordingly. Then, position the threshold appropriately, and secure using concrete or wood screws. Finally, install the weather stripping, and check if the threshold is sealed properly. What are some brands of door threshold weather stripping? What are some common Anderson storm door parts? What are some storm door replacement parts? Before installing exterior door thresholds, remove the existing one. Ensure that the damage to the surface beneath the existing threshold is minimal when removing it. After taking out the threshold, smooth the surface by filling any holes. To know the size of threshold required, measure from the floor till the base of the door's edge. Choose a threshold of a height equalling this measurement. Then, take out the weather stripping, and measure the door opening's width.
Cut the threshold to this length using a hacksaw. Position the cut threshold appropriately in the door opening, and fix it using wood screws if installing over a wooden surface. If the surface is made of concrete, drill holes into it using a masonry bit, and secure using concrete screws. Next, determine the length of weather stripping required, cut accordingly using scissors, and affix appropriately to seal the threshold. If required, caulk silicone around the threshold's edges where it comes in contact with the floor. Smooth the caulk by running a damp finger over it. Finally, open and shut the door, and adjust the stripping to ensure that the threshold is sealed properly. Learn more about Doors, Windows, & Locks How do you weatherstrip a door? To weather strip a door, measure the depth of the door frame where the stripping will be installed. Remove existing weather stripping, clean the area well ... Doors, Windows, & Locks How do you repair foggy insulated windows?