04/13/2022
In my April installment of PM/ Preventative Maintenance form David Parker and Keller Williams Advantage Real Estate, I want to discuss sealing or touching up the caulking on your home. Caulking or recaulking can take minutes yet save you thousands on your most expensive investment. When we look at getting a home ready for sale one of the things that most often sticks out is the damage caused by water that could have been prevented by simply recaulking. I hope this information is helpful. Remember if you find yourself wanting to downsize or upsize your home or property message me, I would really enjoy meeting up and catching up, then we will try and assist you in your needs.
For this reason, you need to, first of all, know the different types of caulks that are available for use.
1. Latex Caulk
Latex caulks are the most durable ones, and each application can last more than 20 years of regular use. They can be used on almost any material or surface, but mostly on the insides.
One of the biggest limitations of latex caulk is that it cannot withstand extreme temperatures.
Therefore, if you live somewhere extremely hot or cold, or if the latex caulk is exposed to direct midday sunlight, it might need to be applied over and over. This is the reason latex caulks are used mainly indoors, where the temperature is always in control.
2. Acrylic Latex Caulk
This caulk is also called Painters caulk, as they are mostly used by professional house painters. Painters use this caulk to seal off any holes or gaps on walls before painting on it. Painter’s caulk can be used both indoors and outdoors and can be washed clean with soap and water.
Besides, they are available in a number of colors so painters can choose a color of acrylic latex caulk that closely matches the actual color of the paint they are going to use later on the walls.
3. Vinyl Latex Caulk
Vinyl latex caulk works somewhat like acrylic latex but is more durable. They can also be applied under the final paint and can be washed thoroughly with soap and water, but vinyl latex caulk will last decades longer than acrylic latex caulk. This caulk can also be used outdoors and withstand harsh temperature and direct heat.
One negative point of vinyl latex caulk is that it is not very flexible, so contraction and expansion can be an issue sometimes.
4. Silicone Caulk
Silicone caulk is the most common and popular caulk people are familiar with; it is flexible, rubbery, and clear. Silicone caulk can be used on almost all different kinds of surfaces, including tiles, metal, glass, and plastic. This caulk is manufactured from 100% pure silicone and is resistant to water and mold.
Silicone caulk is mostly used in sealing gaps and holes around bathtubs and sinks, as it can resist water. However, silicone caulk cannot be painted on, so this caulk isn’t used anywhere you want to paint. Silicone caulk can’t also be used on wood or masonry.
5. Latex Silicone Caulk/Siliconized Latex Caulk
Since Latex caulk cannot be painted on and cannot be properly be used outdoors, they are not really suitable for a number of repairing or construction projects.
Besides, siliconized caulk can’t also be painted on. As an improvement on both, siliconized latex caulks – a combination of both types of caulk – has been manufactured that can be both painted on and used outdoors.
Besides, siliconized latex caulk can also be applied on brick and stones, and is extremely durable, even under extreme weather conditions.
6. Butyl Rubber Sealants
These sealants or caulks are used in gutters, around metals, and on masonry. They can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years and can withstand extreme conditions. This is the only kind of caulk that can be used both inside and outside chimneys, and they are sturdy enough to be used in foundations.
7. Polyurethane Foam Caulk
Polyurethane caulk or polyurethane sealants are generally used to seal electric outputs, and gaps, voids, and holes around the insulation of a building. In fact, it is the only kind of sealant that can be used directly in contact with electrical lines. This sealant is flexible, easy to apply and quick to harden, and can be painted on.
8. Fireproof Caulk
These are specialty caulks that are used in spaces that could be a fire hazard. This type of caulk is used in both plumbing and electrical lines, but mostly in areas where there is a chance of fire.
This caulk acts as a barrier in the spreading of fire and can help a lot in containing fire as well. If you can seal off your home with fireproof caulk, you can help to prevent toxic gas, fire, and even smoke from entering your rooms.
9. Asphalt Caulk
Asphalt caulks look and smell exactly the same as butyl caulk, and they are perfect for outdoor use. However, asphalt caulk cannot withstand direct sunlight. If used to seal and fill in the gaps between roof shingles and flashings, they need to be somewhere the sun doesn’t directly shine.
10. Modified Silicone Polymers
If you are working on vinyl, aluminum, cement, fiber cement, or wood siding, modified silicone polymer is the caulk you need. This type of caulk has all the components of a silicone caulk, a polyurethane caulk, and other water-based caulks.
They are flexible and can be applied to wet surfaces, or materials that will come in contact with water, i.e. windows, vents, and doorways. You can also use latex paint on modified silicone polymer caulks.
Choosing the Right Caulk
Choosing the right caulk depends on the project you have in mind. Usually, professionals such as an architect, a construction worker, a house painter, or a landscape artist use the different kinds of caulks in their work, but they can also be used for home repairs and last-minute jobs.
Here are the kind of caulks that you are going to need for different surfaces and materials:
If you are trying to apply caulk or sealant on surfaces that come in contact with water or any other kind of liquid on a regular basis, you need either polymer caulk or siliconized acrylic caulk. These two kinds of caulks are used in bathtubs, sinks, showers and anywhere where there can be mildew or mold growth.
To completely seal off your rooms from external temperature, bad weather, heat, rain, hail or storm, you need to apply butyl rubber caulk, polymer caulk, painter’s caulk or acrylic latex caulk, or silicone polymer caulk. These sealants are make your rooms completely air-tight and water-tight.
For weatherproofing and waterproofing any structure from the outside, you need the help of butyl rubber caulk, also known as gutter sealant or gutter caulk. You can also use asphalt caulk but only if the surface you use it on is hidden from direct sunlight.
For glass, you need either silicone caulk or siliconized acrylic caulk. It is always to read the labels of these caulks to learn if they can be used on all types of glass surfaces.
For areas around pipes, and for help in plumbing, you need pure or 100% silicone caulk. These silicone caulks cannot be painted on. If you find a silicone caulk that can be painted on, it may not be 100% silicone based.
For around and on metal surfaces, you require the help of a butyl rubber caulk. This caulk is used on gutters and can be used outdoors.
For fireplaces, chimneys or wood-burning stoves, you need fireproof caulk, also known as refractory caulk.
For anything to do with masonry, i.e. outdoor concrete surfaces, driveways and stucco walls, you need butyl rubber caulks.
For driveways, you can also use a polyurethane caulk, as they are extremely sturdy and can take a lot of pressure and weight.
For fixing cracks on your indoor walls or fixing your crown moldings, you need acrylic latex.
All kinds of latex can be used on all surfaces to seal off holes and gaps, or to make your home weather-proof and water-proof; however, if you can’t choose the right sealant for the right surfaces, none of it will last.
The right caulk used on the right surfaces can last more than a few decades, but only if you use the one you specifically need. Otherwise, it’ll crack and peel, and you’ll have to reapply it again and again.
The right sealant and caulk can help save your home from a lot of trouble, including toxic gas and fumes, water, cold and heat. It can help save your plumbing and your electrical lines, and save you from a lot of accidents in the future.
Before you buy and use caulks both inside and outside your home, you definitely need to know which one to use. As always anyone who shares my post will be eligible for the September fishing trip.
