How to Choose Right Caulk for Any Surface
Image credit: Kirk Giordano Plastering
Caulk is used to create a waterproof or insulating seal between building materials. Examples where caulk is used to fill a gap include: between a tub and tile, countertop and backsplash, or window and frame. Although applications may seem similar, the key to a successful seal is to make sure you use the correct caulk for the job.
A bead of caulk should be thin and consistent. The best caulking jobs are the ones you don’t notice, so apply the caulk sparingly and clean up any residue quickly before it dries. [Check out our advice on how to remove old caulk and the right way to caulk a tub.]
Concrete Caulk
This type of caulk should be used where concrete slabs meet or where they meet with a building. A polyurethane caulk works best here, but silicone will also do.
Siding, Windows, and Door Caulk
There are a variety of caulk compounds that will create air and watertight seals around windows and doors. These include polymer, silicone polymer, paintable silicone, and butyl rubber caulks.
Kitchen and Bath Caulk
This caulk needs to be water resistant to prevent mold and mildew buildup. Look for a siliconized acrylic or polymer caulk. They are often called kitchen and bath or tub and tile caulk.
Glass Caulk
Silicone and siliconized acrylic work best for glass. But read the label to make certain it adheres to glass surfaces.
Gutter Caulk
Gutter sealant or caulk will be called butyl rubber. This caulk is ideal for below grade applications and outdoor waterproof needs.
Roofing Caulk
Roofing caulk is available in gun grade or brush grade, based on how it will be applied. This polymer caulk must adhere to metal, masonry, or asphalt roofing materials.
Above article was written by Timothy Dahl and appeared first on www.PopularMechanics.com. Read original How to Choose the Right Caulk for Any Surface article.
Now that we have given proper credit to whom credit is due we would like to talk about the right caulk for stucco repair projects.
Stucco Crack Repair Caulk and Sealants
We have actually came across a great article on one of the stucco repair websites in Jacksonville, FL about this exact subject. Our friends recommended a tree different types of caulk / sealants that they use for various types of stucco. We agree with them and will mention the here.
In their Top Stucco Crack Repair Caulk and Sealants post Stucco Repair Pros of Jacksonville, FL recommend:
Mor-Flexx Caulk
Mor-Flexx is elastomeric with powerful adhesion. This means it stretches and won’t tear, crack, or pull away. It Spans gaps up to 3″ wide with no slump. Textured and paintable, its easy to clean up with soap and water.
Through the Roof Sealant
Through the Roof is the clear, ultra-elastic sealant made to permanently stop and prevent roof leaks. It effectively seals around a variety of roof fixtures without the messy look of asphalt. Plus, Through the Roof won’t dry hard and crack like traditional asphalt repair products and lasts 20 times longer. It expands and contracts with temperature changes, leaving you with a stucco crack repair that sticks but won’t stick out. Lastly, in case you need to use it for surfaces other than stucco, it adheres to metal, plastics, asphalt, brick, ceramic tiles, concrete, stone, mortar, stucco, polyurethane, glass, terra cotta, cement, wood, cloth/canvas and polyisobutylene.
Red Devil 0646
Ideal for patching cracks in steps and sidewalks or repairing mortar between bricks, stone and cinder block. Red Devil’s 0646 has a textured finish that blends with stucco and provides excellent outdoor durability. Ideal for exterior stucco crack repair use, it is also easy to clean up with water.
Check out this video to learn how to use caulk for small DIY stucco repair projects.
We hope both of these articles we re-posted above shed some light on what type of caulks you need to be using for a given project. If you need any help with your stucco repair project and need to experienced hire local stucco repair contractor please call our office at (407) 258-2826 to schedule Free stucco repair quote and Stucco HQ contractors will run to your rescue.