What is Window Caulking?
In places where the weather is too hot or extremely cold, indoors demand cooling to maintain a comfortable atmosphere. If your space loses this cooling even after hours of HVAC operations, you must fix this issue with window caulking. It involves applying sealant on panes and sills to protect the windows from high temperatures, water leaks, or even moisture build-up. You can say that the second-tier soldiers don’t allow the air and water to come inside without the owner’s permission.
Window Parts That Do Not Require Caulking
Weep Holes
First of all, if you see weep holes in your windows, treat them carefully. Since these holes are meant to provide resistance against mold and rust, they allow water to drain and don’t stand on the surface of the window. There’s no reason you should apply caulk on these spots. If you do it, you’ll have to bear the hefty costs to repair the window’s structure and other damaged areas around it.
Around Window Trim
Window trims are the connecting spots where it touches the wall. There’s no obvious reason to caulk in this area, as you waste your sealant and get no benefits from it. Since the trim aims to remove the moisture, applying caulk may leave some vapors inside that tiny area and damage the windows and walls. Yet, you may find damage after it crosses the curable limits. So, it’s better not to apply it.
On Moveable Parts
The moveable parts allow the window to move whenever you want it. But what if you block them? You’ll eventually find yourself stuck where you can’t control your home’s climate even if you’re going to. This situation resembles putting a wheel chock and trying to move your car.
Over Old Caulk
Don’t apply caulk over caulk and assume that it will offer robustness. Doing so will cause more issues with the movability and frame design. If you mistakenly applied it or want to remove the old one, you will have to juggle with the window a bit to get it back on track.
Caulking Tips You Should Follow for Better Results
Those doing the caulking project themselves must follow these tips to avoid the hassle of uneven application.
- Clean the Area: Before you start this micro project, remove dust, debris, and dirt from the window and where you’re going to apply the caulk. This will make the frame cleaner and increase the efficiency of the sealant, offering an airtight environment.
- Apply on Both Sides: It’s always best to apply the sealant on both sides of the window to prevent unexpected leakages. Remember this if you are doing this as a first-time DIY project.
- Choose Caulk Material: You can select the caulking material to pay closer attention to detail in your windows. Paintable silicone and latex caulk are go-to choices for most kinds of window caulking.
- Season of Caulk: Not all times are suitable for window caulking. The best season is warm, when humidity levels are low and temperatures are above 45°F to dry the newly applied sealant naturally.
- Right Tools: Don’t compromise on quality tools; always choose the best to reap the benefits. You need a caulking gun and a caulk tube nozzle. Cut the tube at a 45-degree angle so the gun’s exit spot injects the right amount of sealing material.
- Apply Paint: If the caulk looks awkward, apply paint to blend it with the window’s frame color. This way, your guests won’t notice any difference, and your space will stay in its best shape.
Don’t Mess with Your Windows – Hire JD Handy Pro LLC
All in all, you can do this job if you want, but getting into it demands some experience and knowledge of how things work. If you experiment and don’t go the right way, there’s a chance that you may waste your resources. At JD Handy Pro LLC, we provide reliable window caulking service to keep your home safe from extreme weather and uninviting guests like rats, insects, and pests. You can contact us at +15718312030 or write at handyprowash@icloud.com to get an instant quote and decide your budget for this project.
