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Dr. Fixit

Your Guide to Home repairs

Make Your House ...

"The Caulk of the Town"

Caulking is considered the most beneficial of all home projects. It will help eliminate drafts, insects, water, noise and dust and save you money too. The cost is small and it won't take a lot of time. So let's get started...

There are a couple of caulks that we could use. The regular latex painter's caulk is easy to work with. It cleans up quickly with water and is very inexpensive. I prefer the slightly more expensive latex based silicone caulk. It is easy to work with and also cleans up quickly. The silicone caulk will remain flexible a while longer and is very good at repelling water. Both caulks are paintable. You could use either one with great results!

The goal is to seal all the openings that water or air could enter. One place is around pipes:

Windows and doors are notorious:

The siding where the boards meet:

To prepare the tube you need a utility knife to cut the spout at an angle. It's best to try a small bead first. The larger the crack or hole the larger the bead. Have on hand a damp cloth to wipe away excess. I use my finger for a professional look.

Once you have finished wait till the caulk is dry and then you could paint to match. I check back every year or so to see if the cracks have returned.

In addition to saving money you will have peace of mind knowing your house is the "Caulk of the Town."

And so life goes on a little better now...

In the next column: Weatherstripping Windows and Doors. If you have any question concerning your home or home repairs, feel free to email me. I'm here to help! Dr.Fixit@sbcglobal.net

Kerry Allen, AKA Dr. Fixit, is a resident of the Heights who has been in the home repair business for 25 years