Window Repairs | 4 Steps to Replace Caulk on Windows
Rainwater or heavy winds can seep into your house through damaged window caulking, which could affect the structural integrity of your walls over time. Water will seep into walls and weaken their structure, so you must pay attention to your caulking and undertake window repairs, as soon as you notice it wearing out. Undertaking window repairs to replace caulking is an easy do-it-yourself task, provided you have the right tools and equipment. Follow these steps for replacing caulk on your windows.
Get Your Repair Tools Ready
For this caulk replacement job, you will need a vacuum cleaner, warm soap water, lint-free cloth, a scraper or putty knife, a fresh tube of caulk and a caulk gun. The caulk gun and caulk tube can be purchased from a local home improvement store. You can choose between white or black caulk, depending on the colour of your window frames and sills.
Remove the Caulk and Vacuum
Remove the timeworn caulk with a scraper or putty knife. Take care to strip away all the caulk, so you can do a thorough replacement job. Inspect the area properly to scrape out every bit of caulk. Once you've finished, vacuum the scraped area properly to remove all dust and debris. This will allow new caulk to adhere well to the window surface. Wipe the area clean with a damp soap-laden cloth and allow it to dry for a few minutes before proceeding with caulk application.
Apply the Caulk on the Window Surface
Once the surface is clean and dry, load the tube into the caulk gun and cut off the tube tip to allow the caulk out. Employ new caulk at a measured pace along the area where the previous caulk was set. Follow a continuous line for a neat finish. Smoothen the caulk into the crevices and cracks using your thumb, so that it embeds deeply into these vulnerable areas. Look for additional cracks between the siding and window trim and follow the same method for applying caulk. Caulking is a good way to prevent small insects from getting into the home through tiny gaps and cracks, so look carefully and close all crevice openings with your caulk gun.
Remove Excess Caulk and Let the Surface Dry
Remove any excess caulk from the window surface using your scraper for a neat and uniform finish. Wipe away this excess residue with a dry lint-free cloth. Let the caulk dry for a few hours before opening and closing your windows once again.
Re-caulked windows add resilience to your home –– follow these easy steps to undertake window repairs for replacing caulk.