The Homestead Exemption caps the annual property tax assessment increases at 10% rather than the current approximate 28%.
The deadline is April 30 each year. Even if you purchased your home this year, you can file for the exemption now. Follow this link for more information.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
Please check websites. Most offers don’t include taxes and always remember to kindly tip your waitstaff!
See the full list with details and website links below.
Free Birthday Stuff
Free Anniversary Stuff
Free Other Stuff
Free Stuff on a Specific Date
Free Veterans Day Stuff
Free Birthday Stuff
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Birthday: Everyone has a birthday, and it needs to be celebrated! Here’s an entire section of free birthday treats. Please follow the link to the source to learn more about these options.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Free sweet (movie candy or fresh baked cookies).
AMC Theatres: Free large popcorn.
Auntie Anne's Pretzels: Free pretzel.
BarkBox (for pet): Enter your pets birthday and get a special box that month.
Baskin-Robbins: Free kids scoop (2.5 oz) or one 3 oz soft serve swirl.
Best Buy: Members receive a special birthday gift during their birthday month.
Bonefish Grill: Free Bang Bang shrimp or dessert.
Buca di Beppo: Free colossal brownie sundae (feeds 4 people).
Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 6 buffalo wings.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free dessert during your birthday month.
Carrabba's Italian Grill: Free appetizer or dessert.
Checkers: Free large fries.
Cheesecake Factory: Free birthday sundae with a tiny “scoopette” of vanilla ice cream & fudge.
Chick-fil-A: Free chocolate chunk cookie or chocolate fudge brownie.
Chili's: Free dessert with purchase.
Church's Chicken: Free piece of chicken (thigh, leg, or strip).
Corner Bakery Café: Free bakery fresh sweet.
Denny's: Free Grand Slam breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon or sausage.
Dickey's Barbecue Pit: Free birthday reward.
Dippin' Dots: Free small cup of Dippin' Dots.
El Chicos: Free brownie sundae.
Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub.
GameStop: "Free gift on your birthday."
Genghis Grill: Free appetizer or dessert (less than 3 visits) or 1 free regular bowl (3+ visits).
Hooters: 10 free boneless wings.
IHOP: Free full stack of ANY pancakes.
Krispy Kreme: Free birthday gift.
la Madeleine: Free individual pastry or slice of cake on your birthday.
Logan's Roadhouse: Free appetizer or dessert, up to $7.99.
Marco's Pizza: Free small 1-topping pizza.
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Free Bundtlet.
Olive Garden: Complimentary dessert, up to $11.49 in value.
On The Border: Free bowl of queso or brownie sundae.
Outback Steakhouse: Free dessert.
P.F. Chang's: Free appetizer or dessert, valued up to $12.50.
Panera Bread: Free pastry or sweet.
Papa John's: Free dessert.
Pei Wei: Free Small Plate. Eligible Small Plates include Crab Wontons (2 piece), Traditional Edamame (small), Vegetable Spring Rolls (1 piece), Pork Egg Roll (1 piece) or Vietnamese Chicken Salad Roll (1 piece).
Petco: 10% off online order.
Pilot FlyingJ: Your choice from three meals (breakfast sandwich or pizza slice) and a drink.
Pizza Hut: Free Bread Sticks or Cinnamon Sticks.
Popeyes: Free apple pie dessert.
Qdoba: Free chocolate chunk cookie.
Red Lobster: Free chocolate cake dessert.
Red Robin: Free Gourmet Burger or Chicken Sandwich.
Sephora: Pick a free Birthday Gift from selection during birthday month.
Smashburger: Free side and/or classic smash burger OR Free dessert with any purchase.
Starbucks: Free any sized drink, with any additions.
Steak 'n Shake: Free Double Cheeseburger and Fries.
Subway: Free cookie.
Taco Bell: Free Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze.
Target: Get 5% off a purchase.
Tim Hortons: Free breakfast sandwich or beverage.
Twin Peaks: Free birthday meal up to a certain value.
Ulta: Free birthday gift, 2X points all month, extra $10 off purchase.
Victoria's Secret: $10 birthday reward coupon.
Waffle House: Free waffle.
Wetzel's Pretzels: Free original, flavored, or cheese pretzel.
Which Wich: Free regular Wich (sandwich).
Wienerschnitzel: Free Chili Dog.
Wingstop: Free large fresh-cut seasoned fries.
Tips to Maximize Freebies
Always call ahead to let the hotel or restaurant know you’re celebrating — many offer complimentary room upgrades, desserts, or champagne
Sign up for loyalty programs and email lists well in advance, as some offers require prior enrollment.
Restaurants & Dining
Denny’s: Free meal or discount for anniversary celebrations (varies by location)
Benihana: Birthday/anniversary club members receive a certificate for a free meal
LongHorn Steakhouse: Anniversary rewards through loyalty program
Olive Garden: Occasional anniversary offers through the eClub
Red Robin: Free burger through their loyalty rewards program
Hotels & Travel
Marriott Bonvoy: Members may receive room upgrades or amenity credits for anniversaries
Hilton Honors: Special recognition and perks for anniversary stays (notify in advance)
Sandals / Couples Resorts: upgrades or complimentary experiences for honeymooners and anniversary guests
Disney Parks: Special buttons or sometimes free experiences for celebrating guests
Retail & Subscriptions
Sephora Beauty Insider – Free birthday gift (can be used around anniversaries too)
Hallmark Gold Crown – Rewards members receive anniversary-related coupons
Other Free Stuff
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Free Gmail address: Set up a secondary free Gmail account to handle your registrations or other less important emails.
Free Veteran Homecoming Sign: 100% customizable 3'x6' banners for families celebrating the homecoming of a deployed loved one from Build-A-Sign.
Free Fishing without a license - Texas State Parks: Fishing is free year-round at every Texas State Park (entry fee still applies)
Lowe’s Workshops: In-store workshops for DIYers and kids.
Museums on Us: During 1st full weekend of each month, Bank of America cardholders get free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions across the USA.
Local Museums: African American Museum, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Dallas Museum of Art and the Latino Cultural Center have free entry and sometimes free tours. See websites.
M-Line Trolley: Free historic street car rides.
Free Stuff on Specific Dates
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Free National Parks Entrance Days are MLK Day, 1st Day of National Park Week, Aug. 4 (Great American Outdoors Act anniversary), Sept 24 (National Public Lands Day), Veterans Day.
First Day of Spring (around March 20) is Dairy Queen Free Cone Day. Get a small vanilla soft-serve cone around first day of spring annually.
Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday is on April 23. It is free from taxes at least. Get ready for tornado and hurricane seasons.
Memorial Day - Dallas Symphony Community Concert series: Free DSO concerts at parks throughout Dallas. Starts with Memorial Day Concert and fireworks at Flagpole Hill.
First Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day: Get a free comic book at participating locations. Color coded labels distinguish ages.
First Saturday of June is Texas Free Fishing Day: No license or endorsements needed for recreational fishing on any public waters in Texas.
July 11 is Free Slurpee Day: Since 2002, 7-11 convenience stores offer a free Slurpee ice beverage on 7/11.
First full weekend of August is Texas Sales Tax Holiday: Get Back To School items without the taxes.
Free Veterans Day Stuff
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Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is special to many former service members. Many restaurants and businesses provide free menu items or entire meals to military veterans. Vets can literally graze across town for 24 hours. Find vets and have fun watching them get rewarded for the price they already paid for your freedom. It often won’t cost them anything, but the experience is invaluable. (updated 2023)
B&B for Vets: Free one night stay at participating Bed & Breakfast inns.
Grace For Vets: Free car wash on Veterans Day. See list at website.
SportClips: free haircuts.
Kohl’s: Get 30% off qualifying in-store purchases on Nov. 10 - 12.
Kroger: 10% off Nov. 11 in-store purchases.
Office Depot and OfficeMax - Get 25% off Nov. 11 - 13.
9/11 Memorial & Museum: Free admission for veterans Nov. 9-13 plus half price admission for up to two family members.
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Free admission, parking and program on Nov. 11.
Food
Applebee's: Free meal from Veterans Day Menu.
BJ’s Restaurant: Free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with a food purchase of $11.95 when you dine-in.
California Pizza Kitchen: Free entrée from Veterans Day menu - includes pizza, salads and pasta.
Chili's Grill & Bar: Free meal from Veteran's Day Menu.
Cotton Patch Café: Free chicken fried steak or fried chicken.
Fish City Grill: Free entrée (up to $23.99).
III Forks: Free entrée (up to $60).
IHOP: Free red, white and blue Pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Macaroni Grill: Free Mom's Ricotta meatballs + Spaghetti.
McDonalds: Free combo meal at many franchises. Each is independently owned and set their own reward programs.
Olive Garden: Free meal from Veterans Day Menu.
Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin' Onion and Coca-Cola product.
Perry's Steakhouses: Free pork chop lunch.
Snuffer's Restaurant and Bar: Free Snuffer's burger or sandwich.
Starbucks: Free tall (12-oz) hot or iced brewed coffee.
54th Street Grill & Bar: $10 off any entrée.
Sources: Military.com, Hey, It’s Free, The Military Wallet, Veterans Advantage & linked.
I've Got Your Six!
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
markhancockrealty@gmail.com
DFWmark.com
Partial update - Birthdays 2/27/2025
This 2,971 sq.ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
You can see the details here: dfwmark.kw.com
Or a video slideshow of the property at this YouTube link.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #OpenHouse #house #home #OakPoint #DentonCounty #Acre #land #LargeYard #RVSpace
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
This 2,971 sq.ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
You can see the details here: https://dfwmark.kw.com/property/LST-6913000466394451976-4
Or a video slideshow of the property at this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/oRZxuE6FgUA
I’ve Got Your Six!
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #OpenHouse #house #home #OakPoint #DentonCounty #Acre #land #LargeYard #RVSpace
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
The two most obvious observations are 1) the market is inverted and 2) the low AOC indicates a strong cash-buyer influence on the market. Keep these issues in mind about the luxury market.
With that said, it’s important to understand that this report is a snapshot of Active, AOC and Pending while it is a cumulative analysis of Closed properties for the month. As such, a high closed-to-listed ratio is understandable in this market because it only means that there are fewer homes currently for sale than closed transactions during the entire month.
There are currently 1,255 properties for sale in the lux market. Of these, 761 (60%) are priced higher than $1 million. Last month, there were 1,307 in this category. The total drop of 52 houses in the luxury market for one month is significant leading into the spring buying season. Inventory is lower than demand while inventory traditionally increases.
This sets up a strong seller’s market in the Luxury submarket that can demand higher prices while interest rates rise because – combined with the information above - interest rates don’t alarm cash buyers.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #luxury #Lux #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
The primary resale market remains inverted for the 34th week since 13 Aug. 2022 when 82 more homes were listed than sold in one week.
Volume is significantly lower in AOC, Pending and Closed than last year although there is a slight increase in listings from this point last year. Please also see my monthly Lux Market Watch.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #Allen #acre #DentonCounty #HouseForSale #OpenHouse #OakPoint #treats #candy
This 2,971 sq.ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
You can see a video slideshow of the property at this YouTube link.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
710 Emerald Sound Blvd.
Oak Point 75068
Offered at $650,000
MLS# 14755249
This 2,971 sq.ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #DentonCounty #residential #seller #ForSale #YardSign #house #home #BlueSky
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #NewListings #Pending #Closed
This 2,971 sq.ft. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #MarketWatch #MLS #changes #InvertedMarket #HousingShortage #OptionPeriod #Closed #NewListings
This home has 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2-car garage attached with separate detached 2-car garage/workshop, 2 living rooms, dining and breakfast rooms, game room, fireplace, screened patio, spacious barn-style shed on a full acre of land.
Roof replaced March 2022. Screened outdoor living was completed in 2021. Enjoy the firepit, yard to romp and space to park RVs.
Kitchen has double oven, island, planning desk, walk-in pantry, and window bench. Formal dining and parlor are great for entertaining or convert into a relaxed home office. Downstairs is complete with a powder room, utility room and large family room with a fireplace.
Upstairs, primary suite can easily handle a Texas King bed, has walk-in closet, garden tub, separate shower and double sinks. Three bedrooms share a Hollywood bath with two separate sinks and vanities. The large game room can convert to a 5th bedroom, media room or super-sized office. Solar panel lease must transfer.
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, Certified New Home Sales
214-862-7212 (call or text)
DFWmark@kw.com
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #ComingSoon #house #home #OakPoint #DentonCounty #Acre #land #LargeYard #RVSpace
Mark M Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com
#DFWmark #REALTOR #GreenBeer #stpatricksday #stpats #Celina #LittleWoodenPenguin #beer #CollinCounty #ItsFridaySomewhere
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.
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
Welcome to the DFWmark Blog! This is a collection of content by Mark M. Hancock, a REALTOR with Keller Williams North County in Celina...
