Caulking Tips (August 12, 2001):

What is with all the different types of caulk? How do you put that stuff in so it stays? There are all kinds of caulk and you need to read labels to understand which one to use. The first thing you should do is make a list of what areas around you house you need to caulk, like cement to cement, wood to cement, etc. There are caulks for flat surfaces and different caulks for vertical surfaces. Lets start with a flat surface like a crack in a cement driveway, sidewalk, or patio. It is important to keep the cracks filled so water, bugs, and snakes don't make homes in them. The best product to use is Sonnalastic SL1, it is a self-leveling caulk that will last for years and stay flexible. It you are caulking any surface, make sure the surface is clean and only about a 1/4 inch thick. If the crack is deeper, put a foam backing in it, or on a flat surface like a sidewalk, fill it with sand up to about 1/4 inch from the top, then fill the rest with caulk. Gallons of the black pourable crack sealer are not worth the money. Spend a little more and get a good caulk like SL1.

What caulk should you use around window trim and siding? There are a lot of good caulks like Big Stick and Silicone, but probably the easiest to use is a good quality Latex with Silicone. This is a caulk you can smooth out easily with a damp finger. The best way to apply caulk is to push the gun forward instead of pulling it. When you push it, it will force the caulk in to the crack, but when you pull it you can just end up laying the caulk over the crack. Also, when you push it you can better see what you are doing and watch it roll out of the tube and into the crack. You can get it in the crack a lot smoother this way also. Remember, cut the nozzle at an angle and take a nail or pick and stick it down the nozzle and break the aluminum foil seal that is there to keep the caulk fresh. It is best to use the whole tube of caulk, because they end up drying out when they sit around. You need to keep cracks filled to keep cold air out during the winter and it will also keep the rain and bugs out too! It’s best to buy a good quality caulk that will cost a little more but will last a lot longer. If you need to paint the area, make sure you get a paintable caulk, or paint the area first and use a clear caulk.