Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Finding and sealing the air leaks in your home is arguably the easiest and most effective way you can ensure energy savings both during the winter heating months and during the summer cooling months. All you need is the right caulk and a free weekend. If you haven’t done much air sealing, you might be confused about the kind of caulk you need for the projects you plan to undertake. To help you, here’s a homeowner’s guide to caulk.
- Household and construction-grade silicone: All silicone caulk has excellent adhesive properties. But the grade you use depends on the type of material you plan to seal. Use household silicone to seal joints in your bath and kitchen tiles and fixtures. Use construction-grade silicone to seal dissimilar materials such as metal flashing, stone, wood and brick.
- Polyurethane spray foam: Use this caulk for any large and irregularly shaped gaps either inside or outside your home. When used outside, polyurethane spray foam should be painted over to protect it from ultraviolet radiation.
- Water-based foam sealant: The most environmentally friendly sealant, this caulk is typically used in newer construction, around door and window frames.
- Butyl rubber caulk: Especially resilient, this caulking compound is ideal for glass, plastic, metal, wood and concrete materials. It is less effective on painted surfaces and requires mineral spirits for cleanup.
- Latex caulk: Latex is easy to use and well suited for filling in nail holes and the cracks found in glass, tile, plastic and plaster.
- Oil- and resin-based caulk: This is the least expensive type of caulk. It is not as durable as the other caulking compounds but can readily be used to seal any exterior seams and building joints.
For more information on caulk or other weatherizing projects, contact the experts at CR Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning. Our professional technicians have been providing superior service and products to homeowners in the Middleton area since 1945.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about caulking and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
The post Weatherizing Your Middletown-Area Home: A Guide to Caulk appeared first on CR Wolfe Heating.
