Caulk is sold in squeeze tubes for small jobs or cartridges for larger projects. It is available in various colors as well as clear and paintable caulk.
As stated in last year’s House Care and Maintenance post in the Information Of Value book (https://tinyurl.com/2p96xtyp), caulk is used to blend interior joints within the house. It also fills exterior gaps to protect against water, air, pests and noise. Caulk can stop drafts and air leaks to save energy expenses. It can also prevent water and insects from entering a building and causing destruction.
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| Caulk is sold in a variety of colors. |
Backsplash and tile intersections with the counters eventually need to be resealed due to shrinkage. It will also happen in all the bathrooms because caulk and sealants dry and shrink over time. Use silicone sealant around showers and tubs.
Does it need Caulk or Sealant?
Caulk: Both caulk and sealants are used to fill joints between seams. They often overlap in their use, but one is often better than the other depending on the requirements. Elasticity, stress and environmental conditions are the largest deciding factors between the need for caulk or sealants.
Caulk is also known as acrylic latex caulk – often called ALEX. It is waterproof, seals joints between building materials, expands with temperature changes, absorbs vibrations well, and dries more rigidly than sealants.
Due to its relative flexibility, caulk can connect building materials without cracking as grout and mortar would. It can also connect tiles and other building materials at 90-degree angles.
Caulk is ideal to fill gaps in drywall, wood, and masonry. It is inexpensive and easy to use. It is nearly odorless and cleans up well with water. It is relatively forgiving during the application process if you catch a mistake before it dries.
When not exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as rapid temperature changes, humidity and ultraviolet light exposure, latex caulk can last as long as 10 to 15 years before it needs to be repaired or replaced. This makes it ideal for molding, baseboards, doorframes, and paneling. Use paintable silicone caulk near doors, windows and siding where paint is likely to be needed. Joints lose moisture over time, settle and get hairline cracks. Expect to repair or recaulk in about five years in areas that have regular stress or extreme changes in temperature and humidity.
Tub and tile caulk is specialized with mildewcide added to protect against mold and mildew. This protection is guaranteed between seven to 20 years depending on the product and manufacturer. It is caulk that acts more like a sealant.
Sealants: Sealants are often silicone based and very flexible. Silicone sealants are often slightly flexible to the touch for years. Sealants work as a moisture and water repellant. It’s often the best option for windows, bathrooms, wet areas of the kitchen and outdoors. It is more expensive than latex caulk, but durable and holds up well to harsher cleaning chemicals such as bleach (latex will dry, shrivel and need to be replaced when exposed to excessive bleach).
Silicone is ideal in spaces that have frequent expansion and contraction due to rapid temperature and humidity variation. Windows and showers are prime examples of the spaces that would need silicone sealant rather than latex caulk.
Sealants can last as long as 20 years. They hold up to direct sunlight (ultraviolet light) and rain without completely drying or cracking. They are also used to seal gaps between two different kinds of building materials such as masonry and siding in older homes.
Cleanup will require solvents instead of water. It is more difficult to remove after installation, so ensure it’s the right option for the chosen application.
Expandable Foam Caulk
Expandable foam caulk is a polyurethane spray sealant. It is normally sold in cans that have a narrow straw for application. When exposed to the air, the polyurethane liquid rapidly expands to fill larger gaps and holes. It is ideal for insulation and sound dampening while it’s great for sealing from pests, air and occasional water. Polyurethane foam typically requires 10 days to fully cure.
This form of caulk is most frequently used in non-visible structural areas for protection from air, water (rain), pests and noise. Pest-resistant foam is ideal to fill holes and deter rodents. Expandable foam caulk is sometimes used for temporary repairs of minor slab-on-grade foundation cracks.
It is the best option for electrical outlets, exterior pipes and window jambs. It’s commonly used to seal dissimilar building materials inside walls such as masonry or metal pipes to lumber.
It is extremely sticky, expands rapidly with great volume and can be messy to apply. Mistakes aren’t as easily repaired while applying, but the dried foam is more brittle than silicone and can often be sanded down.
Pay particular attention to the expiration date on the can as expired products are known to have poor performance and may not expand or dry as expected.
Butyl-Rubber Caulk
Butyl-rubber caulk is for outdoor use only. It’s ideal for roofing construction and repairs. It withstands extreme temperatures and creates a strong, watertight and insulating seal.
It works well to seal gutters, siding and concrete. It’s the best option for aluminum, metal, mortar, concrete, exterior stone, plastics, vinyl and exterior wood. Use proper protection when using this product as it can irritate eyes and skin and is difficult to clean from skin and clothing.
Regular vs Fast Drying Caulk
Regular latex caulk and silicone sealants can dry to touch in about 30 minutes. However, they can require 24 hours to cure before painting, being fully waterproof or being placed under stress.
Fast drying caulk is referred to as “painter’s caulk.” It will dry enough to be painted within one hour of exposure to air, depending on humidity and temperature. While it provides a waterproof barrier, it’s best for areas that remain dry such as drywall seams in rooms.
Ceramic Tile Caulk
Ceramic tile caulk is either sanded or unsanded.
Sanded ceramic tile caulk adheres better to wet surfaces and to itself. It’s the best option for joints that are 1/8th of an inch or larger because it expands without cracking. Because it expands, it can crack tile if the gap is too tight. It has a grainy texture, so it works well with grout and tiles.
Unsanded ceramic tile caulk is mostly used on countertops and backsplashes to seal the seam gaps between tiles or stone. It’s the best option for joints that are 1/8th of an inch or narrower. It has a smooth texture rather than grainy. It may not adhere to wet surfaces as well as sanded ceramic tile caulk.
Minor jobs with latex caulk can be completed with a squeeze tube of caulk, a finger and a paper towel to clean up. Larger projects or those involving more complex sealants will require a caulk gun and some form of caulk shaping tool.
Caulk guns are used with caulk and sealant cartridges. Most caulk guns have built in nippers and a small metal rod to pierce the internal seal of the cartridge. These tools prevent dripping and arm fatigue while supplying a constant flow of material to the gap. While the nipper is convenient, cutting an angled opening on the tip allows for less waste and more control over the shape of the caulk bead while applying.
A caulking spatula, finishing or tool kit helps remove old caulk and uniformly shape the replacement caulk with a clean finish.
Mark M Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #IOV #InformationOfValue #caulk #sealant #ExpandableFoam #ButylRubber #CaulkGun #CeramicTile
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