Sealing exterior windows cuts heating and cooling costs, repels moisture to prevent rot and discourages ants and other insects. Spending an afternoon with a caulking gun can mean big savings on future utility bills and repair or replacement costs of your expensive home windows. Applying caulk is a fairly simple process which anyone can do with a little patience. Take a few things into consideration before you begin your caulking project.
Instructions
Buying Caulking Supplies
1. Choosing the right kind of caulk can be challengeing since there are dozens. Check with your window manufacturer for specific recommendations, or follow a couple of simple guidelines. If you plan to paint the surface to be caulked, use plain old fashioned painter's caulk, which is by far the cheapest and easiest to use.
2. Choose a caulk for pre-painted or not-to-be-painted surfaces that is labeled for doors and windows in a color that complements your window frames.
3. Buy one tube per window, plus extra. If you're a beginner, you will use more than you think. Buy a medium-grade caulking gun. It should be heavy duty but affordable. Get one with a tube cutte--usually a hole by the trigger--and folding steel probe.
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4. Cut the tube end to create an opening about the size of the average gap to be filled. If it is too small, it will cause a buildup of pressure with messy results. If it is oo large, it will cause an overflow of caulking and leave a messy looking seal.
5. Use the folding probe--a little silver wire attached with a rivet underneath the barrel of the gun--to poke the foil seal on the tube by poking it down into the nozzle until you feel pressure and a slight pop or tear.
6. Pull the plunger all the way back by releasing the thumb button, and insert the tube. Slide the plunger up tight, and give the trigger a slight squeeze. You should see caulk rising in the nozzle.
Applying caulk
7. Remove old caulk if needed with a wood chisel or flat screw driver. Clean any debris or loose dirt or mortar. Fill a small container with water and keep a towel handy. Begin at tthe inside of the frame and work from top to bottom to avoid messes. Caulk all visible seams, avoiding joints that need to open.
8. Keep steady pressure on the trigger. Push the thumb button to relieve pressure if the caulk is overflowing. Allow a small rounded bead to build up, and try to get each line from corner to corner in a single motion.
9. Work each seam by wetting an index finger and dragging it down the line to compact the caulking into the joint, and remove the excess. Wash the excess off with water. Keeping your finger wet is the key to a smooth finish.
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