Essential Dos and Don'ts for Perfectly Caulking Your Windows

When carrying out window caulking as a do-it-yourself project, it is critical to master the basic techniques to attain professional results. Explore these dos and don'ts to ensure your window caulking job is efficient and visually appealing.

(Photo : Unsplash/Erik Mclean)

DO: Use A Caulking Gun With A Thumb Release.

The handle of inexpensive caulking guns is designed like a ratchet, and it must be cranked to release the pressure applied to the caulk in the tube. As mentioned, when you manually release the handle of this particular gun, the caulk will continue to drip onto the window, causing an accumulation of caulk. An improved option is a caulking gun equipped with a thumb release feature, which enables the user to promptly depress the caulk pressure upon completion of a bead, thereby ceasing its flow.

DO: Use Both Hands To Run A Bead.

Controlling a caulking gun requires the use of both hands. While holding the rifle and pulling the trigger with your dominant hand, you also need to use the other hand to help stabilize the barrel of the pistol, which is located near the tip. While running a bead, it is essential to maintain a straight wrist position while simultaneously moving your elbows and body. Nevertheless, you may change the look of the bead by bending your wrists, which would change the angle at which the caulking gun is held.

DO: Tape Seams

You should not be terrified of applying tape to the seams you will be caulking if you are not an experienced caulker. Although using a strip of tape on either side of the seam can have a bit more of a learning curve and maybe less clean-up, it is still essential to exercise caution when applying the joint compound. 

DO: Work to Your Strengths

Those who caulk with their right hand should perform most of their caulking from left to right, whereas those who caulk with their left hand should perform most of their caulking. If you want the best results, stop, take the rifle off your shoulder, and switch hands as you approach the other corner.

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DON'T: Cut The End Of The Caulk Tube Tip Too Far Down

When a measuring cut line appears at the tip of your tube, select the one that corresponds most closely to the breadth of your seam. Take a bit of caulk and squeeze it out to determine the size of the bead if it is not indicated. If it is not marked, begin by cutting off only the end. Proceed with further snipping if a more comprehensive line is required. It will reportedly be impossible to reduce the thickness of the bead if an excessive amount is initially severed.

DON'T: Forget To Shape The Sealant After You've Applied It

Ensure that your sealant is shaped after it has been applied to the surface so that the result will have a professional and neat appearance. Check that the sealant fills the opening by running your finger or a stick made of wood across it.

DON'T: Over-apply the Caulking

A higher quantity of caulking may be applied over more significant gaps, which may be enticing, but doing so can result in complications. Before caulking, it is recommended to cover the space with flexible backing foam to prevent cracks that are more than one centimeter in width or depth from spreading.

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