How To Caulk

How Do I Know If I Need Caulking?

Check around windows and doors.  You should replace the caulk around these areas if it is split or cracking.  Also check the interior side of doors, windows, baseboards, spigots, vent ducts, skylights, attic fans, fireplaces, or other wall penetrations.  If you feel a draft coming out of any of these areas, you should caulk it.

What Type of Caulk Should I Use?

A number of factors must be considered when choosing caulking. They include durability, flexibility, whether the caulk can be painted, and, of course, price.  The most expensive caulk is not always the best product for every job, so you should carefully consider which product is appropriate for your situation.  Read product labels and manufacturers' literature and ask your salesperson for his or her recommendation. 

Here is a list of common caulks and their characteristics.  Different types of caulking are designed for different applications and quality can vary among different brands of the same type because of different formulations used.  Always read and follow the manufacturer's directions.

1. ​Oil Base Painter's Caulk​ (1-2 year life) - Not very elastic.  Dries out easily.  Paintable after curing.  Lowest cost.

2. Latex​ (3-10 year life) - Use mostly indoors.  Goes on easily.  Low elasticity.  Sticks to porous surfaces only.  Easy water cleanup.  Low in cost.  Paintable. 

3. Butyl Rubber​ (3-10 year life) - High elasticity.  Sticks to most surfaces.  High moisture resistance.  Flexible when cured.  Most difficult to work with as it is very sticky.
4. Acrylic Latex​ (10 year life) - Good elasticity.  Sticks to most surfaces.  Reasonable moisture resistance.  Paintable.  Good for around doors and windows.  May not be used below freezing.

5. ​Silicone-Latex Blend​ (20+ year life) - Good elasticity.  Excellent weathering ability.   Medium shrinkage.  Adheres to most surfaces.  Some cannot be painted.  May not be used below freezing.

6. ​Silicone​ (20-50 year life) - Excellent elasticity.  Sticks very well.  Excellent moisture resistance. Needs solvent to clean.  Strong odor possible while curing.  Low shrinkage. Generally, not paintable, but available in many colors.  May not be used below freezing. May be applied to wood, asphalt or metal, but not vinyl or masonry.

7. Urethane​ (20-50 year life) - Excellent elasticity and adhesion.  Excellent moisture resistance. Easy cleanup.  Strong odor possible while curing.  Low shrinkage.

How Do I Apply Caulk To A Joint?

Surface Preparation: Carefully remove any old caulking material with a razor blade or putty knife.  If repairing concrete or masonry, use a wire brush to remove any loose material .  On smooth surfaces, such as aluminum or glass, wipe the area with isopropyl alcohol or sealant primer and immediately dry with a clean cloth to remove any dirt, grease or residue.  

Tape: Use masking tape to prevent caulk from adhering to unwanted surfaces.  Be sure to remove before caulk dries on the tape.  Place strips of masking tape around the area to be caulked.  This helps to keep the bead neat.  Once the caulk is applied and smoothed, remove the tape and the excess caulk comes off with it. 

Insert Backer Rod: If joint is wide, insert backer rod or bond breaker tape into the joint. Remember to use a backer rod that is 25% larger than the joint.  

Cut caulk spout: Cut tip at a 45 degree angle with a Newborn spout cutter (built in the caulk gun) or knife.  Cut at the desired bead size to match joint size - Remember, a smaller bead can always be made larger, but you are stuck with the larger sized bead. Please start small and adjust as needed.  

Place cartridge into gun.
To apply caulk, squeeze the trigger and push, or pull, the gun along the gap.  Pushing the gun drives caulk down into the gap and gives you better adhesion.  However, in some cases (particularly where the side materials are rough or uneven), a pulling motion may work better so that the cartridge will be less likely to get snagged along the joint.  


To finish the joint, wet your finger with soapy water (if the caulk is formulated for soap and water cleanup) or dab of automotive hand cleaner (if the caulk is formulated for solvent cleanup).  Run your finger along the joint, smoothing it and pressing the caulk into the joint.  Wipe away excess with a rag.  

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Heat Stress - an occupational hazard !!

Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling it's internal temperature starts to fail. As well as air temperature, factors such as work rate, humidity and clothing worn while working may lead to heat stress. Therefore, it may not be obvious to a person passing through the workplace that there is a risk of heat stress. 

You and your employees must be aware of how to work safely in heat, the factors that can lead to heat stress, and how to reduce the risk of it occurring.

How does the body react to heat?

The body reacts to heat by increasing the blood flow to the skin’s surface, and by sweating. This results in cooling as sweat evaporates from the body’s surface and heat is carried to the surface of the body from within by the increased blood flow. Heat can also be lost by radiation and convection from the body’s surface. 

Typical example of a heat stress situation

Someone wearing protective clothing and performing heavy work in hot and humid conditions could be at risk of heat stress because:

• Sweat evaporation is restricted by the type of clothing and the humidity of the environment.
• Heat will be produced within the body due to the work rate and, if insufficient heat is lost, deep body temperature will rise.
• As deep body temperature rises the body reacts by increasing the amount of sweat produced,which may lead to dehydration.
• Heart rate also increases which puts additional strain on the body.
• If the body is gaining more heat than it can lose the deep body temperature will continue to rise.
• Eventually it reaches a point when the body’s control mechanism itself starts to fail.

The symptoms will worsen the longer they remain working in the same conditions.

To read more about Heat Stress, it's symptoms, and some measures to reduce the risk, please visit www.techsolute.com

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