Your home relies on you to keep it in good working order and safe from outside elements. This often leads people to consider their roofs, gutters and even siding as ways to keep the outside out. One area that is commonly overlooked is a home’s caulk.
If you do not have proper waterproof caulking installed, you could be opening yourself (and your home) up to a large number of preventable risks that may cause long-term damage to your property. However, understanding how to fix this problem and whether you can tackle the project on your own are the best places to start as you consider how to properly waterproof and caulk your property.
The Purpose Of Waterproof Caulking
The purpose of caulk, that spongy material that sits in many joints and seams around your home, is to keep the elements out. Primarily, caulk protects against water intrusion, which is why it is considered an integral part of waterproofing your home. However, it is also a great deterrent against pests such as ants and roaches entering your home. Waterproof caulking stops moisture from intruding into the interior spaces of your home, such as your walls.
DIY Or Professional Approach?
Many people think that caulking is a job that they can just tackle over the weekend; this assumption generally arises from just how simple it is to locate caulk at any home improvement store. With so many options, it seems almost as though the assumption is that a homeowner does their own caulk work.
However, caulking is a much more nuanced task than it appears, and doing it yourself could lead to an inadequate seal that does not do its job properly. This means that you’ve spent both money and time on a project that has, at best, accomplished nothing to keep the water out (and at worst, it has damaged your home’s surfaces). For the best results, consider hiring a professional caulking expert who has both caulk application experience and surface preparation skill.
Risk Of Improper Application Negates Caulk’s Purpose
Caulk can be temperamental when it comes to application, and with multiple types of caulk to choose from, the process may quickly become overwhelming. Old caulk must first be removed and the surface prepared for new caulking, which is a project in and of itself. Inexperience in this area can result in poor surface preparation or even damage.
Once the old caulk has been removed, adding caulk is not a matter of simply applying a large, thick strip to every seam you see. Caulk should roll on in a smooth, consistent line that is pressed firmly into the crevice to fully seal and bond to it. Failure to do this could result in inadequate coverage, and caulk that is not fully adhered may not visually appear so.
Risk Of Damage to Underlying Surfaces
Similarly, if you do not have experience removing caulk, it can be very simple to damage the underlying surfaces when removing it. Additionally, failure to adequately prep can leave mold and other dangers lurking under your new caulk.
If you do not have proper waterproofing caulk installation done, this mold or poor surface preparation can prevent the caulk from keeping moisture and other contaminants out, and you could find yourself dealing with a budding problem that you didn’t realize existed until it has already caused substantial damage.
Risk Of Health Consequences During Application
There is also a minor but real risk of health effects during application if you do not leave the installation to the professionals. Caulk is a mild irritant to the skin, and its texture can result in injury to the eyes and other soft areas of the body in addition to causing a rash or skin reaction. It discharges particles into the air that could be harmful if consistently breathed. It is best to leave the handling of potentially hazardous materials to the experts.
Leave Waterproof Caulking To The Experts For The Best (and Safest) Results
For health, safety and effectiveness, it is risky not to have proper waterproof caulking installed on your home. If it is sealed inadequately, improperly prepared or even if you selected the wrong type of caulk for your purpose, it will not perform its job as it should. Improperly waterproofed homes may seem fine—until they are not.
You may find yourself with a large and unexpected bill from water damage or mold due to improperly installed caulk if you do not rely on the experts. The pros at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration focus primarily on this type of task and would be happy to help you tackle this project. Reach out to schedule an appointment to discuss your project.