Your home or building is made up of a large number of critical features, all of which play their own role in keeping your property in good working order. It can be easy to notice when paint starts to flake or when siding begins to crack, but do you pay enough attention to your caulk? This often overlooked material is vital in keeping your building as waterproofed as possible—and your foundation will thank you, because it too benefits from sturdy, well installed caulk.
What Caulking Does For Your Home
On a broad scale, caulk seals the vulnerabilities in your home, and it does so against more than just water. Anywhere that your building has cracks, even if they are intentional, caulk can close the gap and provide protection. Most commonly, you’ll find caulk around windows and doors, as well as other features that have been inserted or taken out of the walls of the building.
It is natural for moisture to attempt to creep into these places, which can damage the internal structures of your building and cause degradation of its materials over time. Caulk blocks this process, in addition to cutting off entry routes for other unwanted visitors such as ants and other pests. Waterproof caulking is an important part of waterproofing your building, and because of this, it can even impact the security and condition of your property’s foundation.
Can Waterproof Caulking Impact The Health Of Your Foundation?
Your building’s foundation is one of the most important elements of its structure, though you never get to see the foundation with your naked eye. It sits underneath the building, providing a sturdy surface that protects against ground shifting. However, because the foundation is typically made of concrete or a similar material, over time, enough water can cause it to crack and break apart, compromising the safety of your building.
Waterproof caulking in critical areas such as basements can seal the gaps between the wall and the foundation so that water is less likely to enter. Seepage into the foundation can widen existing cracks and cause damage that is extremely difficult to repair, since you cannot move your entire house in order to access the foundation.
Basement Or No Basement?
You may wonder, if you do not have a basement because your building is on a slab, do you still need to use waterproof caulking to protect your foundation? The answer is yes. Whether your building uses a deep foundation, slab type foundation or something else, caulking will still prevent unwanted moisture intrusion that can erode the concrete or stone and cause damage. Every type of home benefits from thorough caulking.
Why Waterproof Caulking Should Be Left To The Pros
Many people assume that caulking is a task that they can tackle on their own as a DIY project, since caulk is quite easy to find in any home improvement store. However, from deciding on the type of caulk that suits your project best to the most effective way to remove old caulk and apply new material, this type of waterproofing project is best left to the experienced professionals.
If you do not adequately remove old caulk, prepare the area and apply new caulk competently, it will not create a strong seal and bond with the underlying material. This means that you will need to try again, and what is worse, it can be difficult to tell by sight if the caulk is correctly bonded. This means you could entirely re-caulk your building and be completely unaware that none of the gaps and cracks are adequately protected against moisture and pest intrusion.
An expert can advise you on the correct type of caulk to select for your goals and will thoroughly apply it after removing the old material. Never caulk over old caulk; the pros have the tools and knowledge necessary to tackle this project quickly and thoroughly.
Work With The Expert Waterproofing And Caulking Installers For Lasting Results
Whether you are unsure whether it is time to tackle a caulking project to protect your building’s foundation or you are ready to begin but do not know where to start, it is a great idea to establish a relationship with the experts. The professionals at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration would be happy to evaluate which type of caulk would work best to waterproof your building.
We can remove old material thoroughly without damaging the underlying surfaces and apply a new caulk that seals tightly and lasts for years to come. Reach out to schedule an appointment to discuss your options and determine which type of project works for you.