Caulking Tips to Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As winter approaches, homeowners flock to their local home improvement stores in search of energy saving ideas. One of the simplest ways to improve your efficiency and eliminate drafts is to simply refresh the caulking around windows and doors. Luckily, you don't have to be handy when it comes to caulking; you simply need a few tools and a little patience.

Start by examining your windows and doors – both inside and outside - for cracks in the panels and gaps behind the frames. If you find old, cracked caulk, it must be replaced.

An easy way to check for a draft is through the “incense test”: with a smoldering incense stick, move toward the edges of windows and doors. A draft will blow the smoke horizontally. If there is no draft, the smoke will rise as normal.

Take note of the number of problem areas you find. As a rule of thumb, you should buy one tube of caulk for every two windows or doors that need sealing.

Make sure you choose the right caulk. Latex can be painted and can be perfect for interior rooms and areas where you'll want windows to look their best. Silicone caulk is mildew-resistant and much more flexible than latex, so it will expand and contract when temperatures fluctuate – a much better application for use outdoors.

Next, you will need a caulk gun. The Black & Decker 2-Speed Power Caulk Gun was recently voted “most efficient and the easiest to use” in a consumer comparison test and is great for larger jobs. For a cheaper alternative capable of handling small touch-up jobs, consider the Newborn Brothers Co. Drip-Free, which also works well, though it doesn't have the comfortable grip or speed of its high-tech competitor.

To start, clean all areas with soap and water. For really tough spots, use rubbing alcohol. Chip away any old caulk and paint with a putty knife. Then cut the cone-shaped tip of your caulk tube; the narrower the spout, the thinner the line.

Finally, load your gun, do a few practice rounds on a piece of cardboard, and start caulking. To smooth and straighten lines, try the tri-head bead finisher. The tool works well and keeps your fingers clean!

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Caulking Tips to Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather