Over time, the exterior caulking of windows wears out and loses its usefulness. In such situations, another sealant will need to be installed. It is very not recommended to install the new sealant on the old one. What needs to be done is to remove the old caulking before installing the new one. So how should the exterior caulking be removed?
Equip yourself with essential tools
It is not easy to remove joints that have aged. The fact is that they have long been exposed to UV rays as well as moisture. This often makes them very hard. For this, it will be necessary to equip yourself with adequate tools to remove them easily. Gather blades and knives. Here are some tools you absolutely need to have:
- a putty knife;
- an electric knife;
- a utility knife with a retractable blade;
- elongated beak pliers.
The knives will be used to cut the old caulking in order to remove it from the surface of its support. As for the pliers, their role will be to help clear the tiny pieces that could not be removed from the window of your house or apartment.
Also equip yourself with a cleaner. You will also need a brush. The silk of the latter must be rigid. Finally, get a clean cloth that is not moistened. These three things will be used to prepare the surface of the window to be cleared so that it can accommodate the new window caulking.
Finally, the window may be too high. Then equip yourself with security equipment. They will protect you from falls.
Remove caulking
Here you are at the most important step. Since the old sealant is hard, it will be difficult for you to remove it easily. Therefore, to make it easier for you, soften the seal using a heat gun. If you lack it, use a soldering torch. As a Canadian company specializing in residential caulking, Calfeutrage Élite has all the tools to do a great job. So, if you don’t have these tools, it’s best to call us.
Once the joint has been softened, you can begin its detachment. It is best to start with its smoothest surface. Place the blade of your knife underneath the old caulking. In order to peel it off the surface, push your blade along the joint. For more efficiency in this operation, it is advisable to hold the blade parallel to the sealant.
The ideal knife to use during this operation is the putty one. However, sometimes it is not effective enough. Then we advise you to opt for an electric knife. A knife with a retractable blade will also do the trick. Unfortunately, both types of knives can hurt the handler. They can also degrade the surface of the window. That is why it is essential to appeal to our professionalism.
The joints peel off in a strip. Sometimes it is possible to remove the window caulking in one fell swoop just by pulling the loose part. Then comes the time to remove the residues remaining on the surface. For this, the technicians of Calfeutrage Élite use a long-spout clamp.
Clean the surface
At this stage, you need to rub the surface previously occupied by the old joint. Proceed very delicately using the brush. It is also at this phase that it will be necessary to use the cleaner. Some dirt like grease can be stubborn. Then use a cotton pad impregnated with alcohol to remove them.
Using clean, non-damp laundry, then clean the surface. Once you are certain that there is no more residue and moisture on the surface, you can install the new window caulking. It can be an expansive window foam or any other type of sealant.
Contact Caulking Elite for the removal of window and door caulking
You must have noticed that in order for the new residential caulking device to be effective, the old one must be removed very well. Do you think you can do it on your own? Unsure. So, you must call calfeutrage Élite if you live in Greater Montreal. We operate throughout this area and often even beyond.
We have several years of experience acquired in all possible contexts of intervention. It will be with real pleasure that one of our teams of technicians specialized in window/door caulking will come to your home to serve you. We use the best tools and seals including expansive window foam to meet all the expectations of our customers.
