Caulking Tips Exterior Siding

Do not caulk the underside of your siding i e caulk each piece of siding to the one beneath it.

Caulking tips exterior siding.

In the summer you re caulk tubs and showers that mildewed during the winter and spring. Bottom of siding boards should not be caulked. While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage. Some of the most commonly caulked areas of siding include both corners and crevices as well as some butt joints and window and door trim boards.

Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur. Caulk won t stick well to dirty surfaces. Most other areas were caulk is necessary should be lightly smoothed with your finger. Start with a clean crack.

Caulking is a year round job. Brick concrete and stone may seem impervious to water but caulking anywhere wood siding meets the siding is critical. In the spring you caulk the exterior to get it ready for painting. You may not get cracks completely clean but the cleaner the better.

Water is meant to exit through the bottom of each board. If you have any large gaps in the concrete consider using gray urethane or siliconized acrylic concrete caulking. How to use a caulk gun. John burbidge author of the book watching paint dry shows how to properly caulk windows doors and cornerboards on the exterior of a house prior to pain.

When to use caulk on exterior siding siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. Ride the tip on the smooth surface when one of the surfaces you re caulking is rougher than the other try to ride the tip on the smoother surface the brick mold in this case. On siding and trim dig out any loose paint caulk or other crud then sweep them with a dry paintbrush or better yet blast them with a compressor and an air nozzle. Caulking on the exterior siding joints at the corner board if done carefully does not need to be smoothed with a finger.

If the hole in the tube is too large you will find yourself removing an excessive amount of caulk. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. White caulk on brick or concrete looks terrible. Your house s siding naturally expands and contracts and caulking it all together prevents this movement.