Caulking Siding Tips

It will have to withstand all the extremes that nature can dish out.

Caulking siding tips.

Caulk is by necessity a sticky gooey substance and as such it smudges easily. Sometimes the old caulk in the siding joint is cracked and you need to cut the old caulk out with a razor knife. Most of the caulk on store shelves is basically one of four types. But outdoor caulking deserves some extra attention.

Your goal is a neat looking seal over cracks and gaps. The selection in the caulk aisle at home centers is mind boggling but actually choosing the right one is pretty simple. If after reading up on the whats and whens of siding caulk you decide to complete this home improvement task on your own there are a few things you should keep in mind. Brick concrete and stone may seem impervious to water but caulking anywhere wood siding meets the siding is critical.

Do ride the smooth edge when caulking a seam between a window and textured siding. In this instructional video we demonstrate how to use proper caulk techniques on lp smartside products pre finished with diamond kote which recommends dap. It will also extend the life of your soffit and fascia boards. Exterior caulking is a lot like interior caulking.

First we recommend investing in a large good quality caulking gun. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months. White caulk on brick or concrete looks terrible.

Siding windows and doors. Brick and concrete caulking tips. So here are some tips for caulking that lasts. And when an outdoor seal fails water gets in and serious trouble follows.

The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked. Siding is often textured and if you slide the tip of the tube along the bumpy texture the bead of caulk will. Diy caulking tips and tricks. Caulk behind the fascia boards for a neat finished appearance.

Here s how to make the right choice. Elastomeric polyurethane latex or silicone. These siding joints can be caulked successfully if the gap is wide enough for the caulk to get into the crack. Is the old caulking removed before new coats are applied.

Caulking your home s siding is a simple process but not necessarily a foolproof one. Start your siding project today. Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur.