Painting near me both beautifies and protects our homes. You can update your home with a fresh coat of paint every few years to keep it looking at its best and increase its value.
Painting your home also keeps it healthy. It allows you to detect areas that may need some repair, such as areas that may need caulking.
Caulking is a general term used for various flexible materials to seal air gaps through cracks, crevices, or relatively small joints. According to the Department of Energy, these repairs should be less than one-quarter-inch wide between stationary building components and materials.
Unless the caulking material you use is made for all applications, you should know the different types of caulking to know precisely where to apply it. For instance, you might use silicone caulk for tiles and faucets inside your home and polyurethane or latex-based caulk outside.
The types of caulking compounds include:
- Acrylic
- Butyl rubber
- Latex
- Oil
- Polyurethane
- Resin
- Silicone
- Water-based foams
Benefits of caulking:
- It stops cold air from entering the home.
- It keeps insects from entering the house.
- It prevents water from getting into the home.
- It helps insulate the home.
- It stops condensation from forming in the cracks and holes.
“So, will I caulk before or after painting?”
Applying paint and caulking are essential procedures in fixing your home. But many DIY home painters are often confused about which to go first – the caulking or the painting? Of course, when it comes to these matters, we should not make careless decisions since they will derail the entire painting project.
While caulking after painting is acceptable, it’s better when caulking goes first before painting. You can paint the wall and caulk to cover the caulk up. There’s no need to paint again since you’ve already painted them once. Another good reason to caulk first is that there’s no more chance for the paint to seep into the home itself.
Consider these tips to ensure that caulking goes well:
- Make sure that the surface is dry before you caulk – First, you’ll have to clean it and keep it dry. The caulk won’t stick to the surface that’s still damp and dirty, and the surface would become ugly with the caulk.
- Cut the tip – Cut the tip of the caulking tube in an angular pattern for a neat and mess-free application.
- Go for a good angle and position – It’s important to keep yourself in a comfortable position and angle to help you apply the caulk efficiently. Otherwise, it would be a waste of caulk.
- Use a painter’s tape – If you are dealing with an edge or a corner, you can use a painter’s tape to get a smooth and well-defined edge.
- Always have paper towels handy – Applying caulk can be a long process, so you must keep the tube’s tip clean and open. Always have some paper towels while caulking to clean off the excess drips. Otherwise, the drips will end up anywhere, and it won’t look pleasant.
- Don’t leave the caulk unfinished – Once you’re done applying caulk, don’t leave it with an uneven and bumpy look. Use your fingertip, or better yet, invest in a good caulk finishing tool. Use this tool to press the caulk into the joint and neatly smooth the caulk bead, giving it a clean and professional appearance.
Caulking is a relatively easy process in a painting near me job that most homeowners can tackle, even those who don’t have a prior home improvement experience. But it can be a long (and tedious) job, especially if you have lots of gaps and joints to fill. In this case, it’s best to hire professional paint contractors to do the caulking job smoothly and efficiently.