To optimize the thermal comfort of your home, it is essential to limit energy losses and moisture infiltration. To achieve this, it is important to seal the edges of the windows using a suitable sealant. Window caulking is a highly efficient operation in this context. It can also be done by oneself.
To have well-sealed window contours, it is necessary to avoid certain bad practices during caulking. Discover the mistakes to avoid and the steps to follow to successfully plug your windows!
Mistakes to avoid when caulking windows
It is quite normal for an inexperienced person to make mistakes during window caulking. It must be emphasized that these errors can have very great repercussions. When plugging the contours of a window, make sure you have removed the old sealant before applying the new one. Otherwise, moisture and water could seep in.
For the choice of putty, it is essential to favor one that is at the same time waterproof, resistant, flexible. It must not contain latex. Acrylic and silicone sealants are similar in a number of ways. To choose the best sealing material, you must first weigh the pros and cons.
It should be noted that the scope of application of silicone is limited compared to acrylic sealant. The latter is also more aesthetic. It is well suited for rooms with high humidity.
It makes more sense to turn to ADSEAL silicone from the leader in sealing materials ADFAST. It is not recommended to use polyurethane foam instead of putty. The two do not play the same roles. Also, when caulking window openings, avoid using sealant cartridges directly.
It is recommended to use a caulking gun. The use of a good caulking rifle makes the work easier and allows to obtain an impeccable result. There is no question of applying a large amount of putty on the cracks to seal them. When the breach is large, put the bottom of the seal before applying the sealant.
Once the sealant is applied to the openings, it is necessary to smooth it properly to achieve a neat appearance. To avoid making these mistakes that could cost you dearly, the ideal would be to turn to a qualified professional.
Who to call?
Caulking Elite offers excellent door and window sealing services. We intervene for the installation of cold cut of door, window thermos, window lighter and thermos glass. We intervene at best for caulking Montreal, North Shore, Longueuil and elsewhere.
To change the window thermos or the bottom of the door cold cut throughout Greater Montreal, simply contact us. We also carry out Laval caulking.
How to redo the caulking of your windows?
To increase the tightness of the window seals, it is essential to follow a number of steps. First, it is necessary to make a visual analysis of the windows to detect openings and possible air leaks. To detect breaches, you can monitor the parts of the window showing signs of cobwebs.
Spiders usually weave their webs on cracks that let air through. After the visual inspection, it is imperative to remove the old sealing material. To facilitate the removal of dry putty, it is recommended to soften it by exposing it to the heat of a heat gun. Using a putty knife, gently remove the softened material without damaging the window covering.
The surface must then be cleaned using a cloth soaked in 99% rubbing alcohol %. To remove particles embedded in the gaps and dust residues, simply vacuum. It is advisable to insert a joint body or tow pad before caulking a wide opening.
Using a caulking gun, evenly distribute the putty through the slots. The gun should be placed in the right corner of the window seal and the trigger should be pressed to fill the sealant openings. Make sure all cracks are well covered and add dough if necessary.
Finally, you need to smooth the caulked joints using a spatula to achieve a high-quality finish. The removal of small bulges helps prevent the accumulation of dust. At the time of smoothing, check that the seal is 12 mm thick.
Window caulking: things to do!
To succeed in this work, it is essential to have the right equipment. These include the gimbal, caulking gun, heat gun, putty knife and gloves. The rental of the gondola is important for easy access to the windows located at the level of the façade.
When clogging, putty should be applied both indoors and outdoors to make sure you don’t leave cracks. It is recommended to opt for quality sealant that offers up to 30 years of warranty.
It is essential to apply the product between 8 and 25 degrees to prevent the sealant from drying too quickly. Do not hesitate to remove the moldings to inject polyurethane foam to block the air intakes.