July 1, 2011

Maintenance Tip of the Day

Caulk is considered the home-improvement hero. It requires little skill and inexpensive tools. Caulk can make a project complete by filling in areas that are not fitted well. Consider caulk around all of your windows and doors. This will seal out drafts as well as prevent the entrance of unwanted pests, therefore becoming an energy saving device.

The secret to caulking success is choosing the right caulk for the job. Don’t be drawn in by the promises made by the manufactures - just read the labels and you will do well. When caulking sinks and bathtubs, use mildew resistant silicon based caulking. If you are caulking around doors and windows that you are planning on painting, make sure the label reads "paintable".

Caulk is non-toxic, if you get it on you it will come off. Caulk comes off with soap and water. You can smooth it by simply wetting your finger and running it along the area that you have caulked.

A big mistake is cutting the hole in the end of the tube too large and too much comes out at a time. You can also speed up or slow down to control the flow of the caulk. Make the hole in the end of the tube small, you can always enlarge it by cutting more off the tube. When cutting the tip of the tube it needs to be at a 45 degree angle for the best results. Most tubes of caulk will need the seal punctured after you cut off the tip of the tube.

Caulk guns can be purchased for around $5.00; if the job is small you can purchase the caulk in a squeezable tube that is disposable. A very inexpensive and cost-efficient project! And after just a few attempts you will see great results, happy caulking. The results pay great dividends.

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