Home Maintenance - Caulking Windows

Caulk Needed PicturePart of maintaining an energy efficient home is ensuring your windows are properly sealed. Eliminating air leaks can help you save money on utility bills and prevents the intrusion of moisture as well. Over time the caulking around windows can crack or chip away, as seen in the picture to the right. Periodic maintenance is required to properly maintain your home. However, this is an easy DIY project and is relatively inexpensive as well.

Caulking ImageFirst, identify the windows that need to be caulked to gauge how much caulk you’ll need to purchase. Visit any home improvement store to purchase your materials and utilize their expertise to identify the right type of caulk for your specific application, but typically avoid an acrylic latex as it’s not as responsive to temperature changes that an exterior caulk will be exposed to, and isn’t very durable to moisture. Make sure to get a caulking gun if you don’t already have one. Select a moderate temperature day for application, remove old caulking, then lay down a continuous bead thick enough to fill the gap, and smooth over. Wait 24 hours to dry fully and paint if necessary.

Stephen Woodall
REALTOR, GRI @ Long Realty Company
Stephen has made real estate his full-time career and passion since 2008, primarily specializing in the Foothills & the Northwest Tucson areas of Oro Valley and Marana. He is a multi-million dollar producer, representing both sellers & buyers. Stephen has tremendous experience in new home sales, listing & selling primary residences, listing & selling vacant land, listing & selling luxury homes, investment properties, rentals, and real estate development parcels.

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