Caulk comes to the rescue in myriad projects around the house, from outdoor maintenance to indoor decorating. What makes this humble material so good at what it does? The rubbery substance, available in a variety of formulations, including silicone, latex, acrylic, butyl rubber, polyurethane, and construction adhesives, can bond to almost any material, making it a wonderfully flexible material for projects indoors and out. With the right tube of caulk, you can solve just about any problem—starting with these 15 common issues.
Sealing leaks around doors and windows is the best way to reduce drafts, cut home energy costs, enhance your house's energy efficiency, and decrease your carbon footprint, according to the Consumer Federation of America. For this job, choose either acrylic latex (available on Amazon) or vinyl latex caulk (also available on Amazon). Acrylic latex works best in dry environments and will perform well for up to 15 years, while vinyl latex can be used in damp areas and lasts about 5 years.
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Concrete and mortar repair caulk is an excellent tool for sealing cracks and gaps in concrete, brick, stucco, stone, and metal. Similarly, it's perfect for repairing small fissures in foundations and basement walls that allow insects, rodents, and other pests to enter your home. Designed for both interior and exterior use, concrete and mortar repair caulk has a textured finish and can be painted once dry. (Available on Amazon.)
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No matter how carefully you measure and cut, you often end up with little gaps between, above, and below moldings and baseboards. When you need to close the gap, acrylic latex caulk is ideal for filling in those small spaces. The product dries quickly and can be painted as soon as 6 to 8 hours after application. Acrylic latex also comes in a variety of different pigments, so you can match the color to the surrounding material.
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Never out of style in kitchens and bathrooms, tile has endured through the decades. Over time, however, small spaces can open up between tiles, and in moist environments that's an invitation for mold and mildew to gather behind the walls. There are several types of caulk that can be used in such situations. Ideal for wet environments, 100 percent silicone caulk and siliconized acrylic caulk form a durable, watertight seal. Mold- and mildew-resistant silicone caulk is made for nonporous surfaces like ceramic, glass, and metal, while waterproof siliconized acrylic caulk works well on tubs, tile, glass, and ceramic tile surfaces. Gorilla silicone sealant is ideal to use since it is waterproof, and mold and mildew resistant. (Available on Amazon.)
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When you need to cover small holes and tiny cracks prior to painting, painter’s caulk, an acrylic latex compound, is just what you need. Painter’s caulk adheres to wood, drywall, masonry, and other surfaces. And because it dries to a paintable texture in about an hour, it's a good choice for busy DIYers. (Available at The Home Depot.)
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A specialized type of caulk, fireproof caulk does more than patch holes. It actually helps make your home safer by preventing fire from moving through open spaces within a structure. Fireproof caulk can be used to seal holes, gaps, and cracks around holes in interior framing, especially around plumbing or electrical conduits. (Available at The Home Depot.)
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When a length of molding falls off, a corner of carpet comes up, or a tile comes loose, it's good ol’ all-purpose caulk that can fix it. Dab a little behind the loose material, then stick it back into place. You can even use all-purpose caulk to install wood paneling without nails! (Available on Amazon.)
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Even professional decorators are sometimes stumped by wallpaper, but a little old-fashioned caulking can come to the rescue in a pinch. To keep wallpaper from pulling up as it dries, run caulk along all trimmed paper seams, especially in the corners, then smooth with a wet sponge or finger to remove any surface imperfections. For old wallpaper jobs that are starting to peel away from the wall, simply lift up the loose section and apply adhesive caulk under the paper, then smooth the paper back against the wall. Once the adhesive dries, apply a continuous bead of caulk along the seam to keep it from peeling up again.
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With the right caulk, you can even repair a roof! Roof repair caulk can be used to seal small cracks or gaps along roof edges, between shingles, and around skylights or flashing. As you might expect, roof repair caulk is completely weatherproof and waterproof, and can be used in wet areas or on dry surfaces. (Available at Lowe's.)
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As gutters age, they can develop cracks and gaps, especially around joints and downspout junctions. Butyl rubber caulk, a strong waterproof sealant, can be used to seal joints in those damaged gutters. Dab a little onto the cracks to keep your gutters leak-free—and keep rainwater flowing out and away from your home. (Available on Amazon.)
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Painter’s caulk is also known as decorator’s caulk and, as its names suggest, it is used just before decorating and painting. It’s the right choice for sealing crown molding, chair rails, and baseboards because it’s flexible and hides gaps between the wall and the finishes. (Available on Amazon.)
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Whether you’re repairing a small hole or a sizable tear in your home’s vinyl siding, siding caulk can help. Simply choose a shade of exterior caulk that matches the hue of your exterior (even black caulk is available), and use a small dab to seal minor punctures, like nail holes. Cover larger holes or tears by applying caulk to the back of a scrap piece of siding, and cover the hole with the scrap piece. (Available at Lowe’s.)
Caulking between a countertop and a tile backsplash in the kitchen doesn’t just give your work space a “finished” look. It keeps crumbs, food items and worse yet, water, from getting behind your countertop and cabinets. Silicone caulk, which is moisture and mildew resistant, is the best caulk for the job. While you have your caulk gun out, make sure there’s a sturdy seal between your countertop and kitchen sink, too!
When you don’t have any fluffy furniture pads on hand to stick under flower pots and other decorative items, caulk can help. Turn your pots on their sides and apply a few dabs of silicone caulk to the bottom of the pots. Allow the caulk to dry so the pots won’t stick to your floors. When they’re set, the silicone pads should keep the pot from scratching your hardwood.
One of the easiest ways to keep your asphalt or concrete driveway in good condition is to attend to cracks as soon as you find them. The longer you wait, the better the chance that moisture will seep into the cracks—and make an even more fractured-looking mess of your driveway. Load your caulk gun with a quality, water-resistant asphalt crack sealant. Acrylic formulas are flexible and should fit into just about any crack or cranny. (Available on Amazon.)
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
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