A critical part of any paint job, especially exterior ones, is caulking. Gaps and cracks are your home’s worst enemy! Not only do they reduce energy efficiency by creating drafts, but they allow pests and moisture easy access. Moisture is one of the greatest causes of problems. If water gets under the paint, your paint job will peel, bubble, crack or chalk. Ugly mold or mildew may develop, causing health problems. The best way to prevent all these problems is by carefully sealing gaps and cracks with a high quality sealant. Elastomeric caulk is one of the best sealants; It is flexible, adheres to any surface, and lasts a long time. It can also be cleaned up with water. Other good candidates are polyurethane sealants and standard siliconized caulking. Choosing the right caulking gun will make the application process much easier. In some places, it will be obvious where caulking is needed. It’s important to fully seal the entire home! A good rule of thumb is to apply a bead of caulk anywhere two dissimilar materials meet – brick and wood;
wood and metal, etc. Caulk window trim at the top and sides. Leave the bottom unsealed. This will prevent dripping and windblown water from entering the building while allowing condensation to escape. Also leave the weep holes unsealed. Untrimmed windows require a bead of sealant around the entire window. Placing tape on the window, 1/8″ away from the gap will help assure a straight, professional-looking bead. As you become more experienced with the caulk gun, masking the window won’t be necessary. Clear elastomeric caulk is less visible than the white variety but provides the same benefits. Don’t be alarmed if it goes on white! It will become transparent as it dries. Wood windows usually consist of more pieces. This produces more gaps. All will need sealing. Any place where two pieces of wood join together needs caulk. Here are the typical areas you need to check. All doors (entries, garage doors, and pet entries) need special attention. Problems are common where the door frame meets the threshold.
A thin bead of caulk can prevent water damage here. Also caulk the areas where trim meets the door frame or siding. In garages with concrete floors, the frame can soak up moisture from the floor, causing peeling and dry rot. Prevent this by applying a small bead of clear caulk (it’s less obvious than white). Paneled entry and garage doors require a very good seal. All panels must be caulked after any sanding and priming has taken place. This includes any panels on wood and masonite garage doors. These areas are easy to overlook because they’re so high off the ground, but attention to detail now will pay off in the long run. Caulk behind the fascia boards for a neat, finished appearance. It will also extend the life of your soffit and fascia boards. Brick, concrete, and stone may seem impervious to water, but caulking anywhere wood siding meets the siding is critical.White caulk on brick or concrete looks terrible. If you have any large gaps in the concrete, consider using gray urethane or siliconized acrylic concrete caulking.
For new homes or areas that have never been caulked, apply the clear caulking after the painting is finished. This will make the painting easier and produce a better looking paint job.Vital HouseholdHousehold JobsOverhead TorsionCoat OverheadSprings DrainDoor Lubricant10 MaintenanceGarage Door MaintenanceHome Maintenance ChecklistForwardHome maintenance checklist: Replace the furnace filter each season, etc. Great start, but there are jobs that homeowners often forget about, or don’t even know about. Here are some important home maintenance items that may not be on your list—items that may cause a big headache, or worse, cost you big money if you neglect them. Read these 10 jobs here. Call 1-877-483-6226 to set up an in home consultation This home improvement product and service may not be available in all locations. If you are outside our service area, you will be advised within two business days of availability. Please call Costco at 1-877-483-6226 for availability in your area.
Amarr Garage Door has been known and respected for its standard of excellence since 1951. Amarr is a leader in the garage door industry and their commitment to high quality construction, attention to detail, and unique features can be found in every door they manufacture. You can be confident that Amarr garage doors are among the finest doors available and will add value, security, and beauty to your home. Shop for Your New Garage Door Choose from Custom Wood Carriage House, Steel Carriage House, or Traditional Residential Steel door collections. Call to schedule a free At-Home Consultation: 1-877-483-6226 Custom Wood Carriage House: Triple-layer construction, wood baseply, polystyrene insulation, and a finished interior of exterior grade plywood. Choose designs from The Bob Timberlake®, Biltmore For Your Home™, or Amarr by Design Collections. Tongue and groove vertical board design throughout the exterior allows wood to expand and contract while staying locked into place.
High Quality, heavy duty hardware for smooth and efficient operations. Springs and industrial strength track constructed for durability. All hardware is galvanized to help protect against rust. Available in standard single car or double car sizes. Doors will arrive in their natural wood finish allowing for customization of paint or stain. Optional decorative hardware available. Optional heavy-duty garage door opener available. Only available professionally installed by Amarr Garage Doors. Classica® Steel Carriage House: Choose from triple-layer, double-layer, or single-layer construction. Available in seven carriage house base designs. Closed Arch or Closed Square Top Sections available. Available in White, Almond, Sandtone, Dark or Medium Woodgrain color. Weather tight bottom seal to help prevent air, dirt, dust, and moisture from seeping into the garage. Optional garage door opener available. Oak Summit® Steel Carriage House: