Caulking windows in 10 very short summer/winter tips

The article on caulking in pictures written by Shawn, boss of Elite Calfing, your North Shore caulking lacked these very quick tips to read. Don’t minimize them before you start working on your windows.

Foreword: Note first that caulking is 12 months a year… even the HIVER!

The application process remains the same, except that more care needs to be taken in the preparation of surfaces, in order to eliminate all traces of moisture and to favour the application of primers, always according to the recommendations of the manufacturers.

The main sealants used are silicone-based and react very little to temperature changes during application. We mainly use sealants manufactured by ADFAST (Adseal 4580) or DOW CORNING (CWS).

Tips to keep up all year round

1) Regular inspection of openings

Inspect each year all the caulking joints of each window and door with particular attention to the joints of the openings of the SOUTH and WEST facades, which are more long exposed to the sun, as well as the upper joints directly under the lintels.

2) Top quality caulking joint

It is not easy for individuals to purchase the NP1professional seal cartridges from Sonneborn , Mulco or ADFAST, if you do the work yourself, do not invest in low-end sealant; buy in the range of “30-year guarantees” minimum.

3) Posing in dry weather and at a pleasant temperature

If professionals afford to caulk in all weathers winter or summer – except in the rain – the seal is easier to handle if you make it between 5 and 25 degrees with polyurethane.

The silicone seal is malleable winter as summer because it is not affected by temperature, which is why this material is the preferred choice of caulking professionals.

4) Keep you safe

Work on the last bars of a ladder is suicidal (should we really remember it?)
So use a ladder higher than the level of your work, moor it securely to the building.

If you are not equipped in this area or have a problem with high-rise situations, give up the upstairs windows and call on the professional.

5) Spending time on cleaning the old joint

Remove the old cracked or dry caulk completely, cut with a cutter (Exacto) or a specialized saw, brush and suck up the dust at the end of cleaning.

6) Importance of the backer rods

Before placing the seal itself, insert your backer rods into spaces that are too wide or too deep.

7) A quality cartridge gun

Use an excellent cartridge gun, one of those with a hexagonal pusher; they are more accurate and easier to handle. For a few dollars more …

8) Caulking Gun Flow

For cosmetic seals, pull the trigger on the caulking gun with confidence to promote regular flow. Avoid jerking off and stopping. Exercise beforehand, this double check of the regularity of the flow in places less apparent such as a lintel.

• Pressure on the trigger
• Moving the gun according to the need for filling

9) Filling the joints

Be generous with your caulking joints, your home will return it to you. A large and very full joint is necessary to ensure the true efficiency and durability of your work.

10) Smoothing the joints

There are very practical seal smoothing tools if you have laid the right amount of dough. You don’t smooth the caulking joints with a wet finger like you see for a sink or bathtub joint in the bathroom.

Bonus tip: Respect the surroundings

Don’t postpone the sweeping and cleaning of your work area until tomorrow, your wife and neighbours will be a thousand times grateful.

Read also the answers to the most common questions asked of our caulking company