Caulking is a compound used to form a flexible seal around cracks, gaps, or joints that are roughly less than 1/4 of an inch wide. Most commonly, caulking is packaged in disposable cartridges that fit into half-barrel caulking guns, but it’s also available in aerosol cans, squeeze tubes, and ropes.

It’s important to keep in mind that caulking is application specific; some are for dry locations while others are for wet areas. According to Erik Moreno, branch manager for Construction Sealants & Supply in Sparks, the types of sealants most in demand are acrylic latex, polyurethane, and silicone. Acrylic latex caulking is used most commonly for sealing window gaps inside a home as well as for interior filler between baseboards and flooring. Polyurethane sealers come in many colors and are predominately recommended for exterior jobs around concrete or wood surfaces.

Naturally resistant to mildew and molds—and often fortified with mold and mildew inhibitors—silicone sealants are ideal for caulking around tubs, sinks, and even the base of a toilet. New sealants incorporating the best of all three compounds are also now available.

Where To Caulk
Douglas Thomas, a consultant for Solar Joulers—a solar panel company based in Verdi—and knowledgeable about all things caulking from years in the home construction industry, says it’s vital to make time to check areas in your home that may be vulnerable to air and water leakage both outside and inside.

“Inspect the exterior of your home at least annually,” Thomas advises. “Look for cracks around windows, doors, and in the foundation.”

Additionally, Thomas says, it’s important to climb up on the roof about every five years to inspect the vent pipes and flashing for potential leakage. “I’ve found a lot of roof leaks are caused simply by deterioration.”

A home’s interior can be fraught with potential difficulties as well, Thomas says. In addition to preventing cold air infiltration, water damage can be alleviated by regular sessions with a caulking gun. Thomas says it is critical that homeowners be aware of the condition of the caulking around tubs and showers, especially tiled showers and tub enclosures. “If you ignore it, you can have structural damage,” he says. “If the sub-floor is damaged by water, often the only solution is to completely replace it.”
He says never caulk over existing material; clean old caulk out completely, wait 24 hours for it to dry, replace, and give another day getting wet.

Thomas also suggests caulking around the inside base of a cabinet situated under the kitchen sink as well as the space behind the dishwasher. “If there’s a water leak, the caulk will contain it keeping water out of the walls. Undetected leaks can cause mold and mildew resulting in airborne spores that can cause health problems.”

So as perhaps uninspiring as caulking may at first appear, it is in fact a critical part of home maintenance, especially in Northern Nevada. Our weather extremes make it all the more important to have a well sealed home.

Linda Fine is a Realtor with Ferrari Lund and a freelance writer with a flair for décor.