Preventing air and water infiltration is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, especially in cold and snowy countries such as Canada. An easy way to strengthen the barrier between your property, the outside weather and water is caulking.
There are various types of caulks and sealants, however, some provide better results than others. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of silicone caulks & sealants and provide some important information about them.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAULK AND SEALANT?
Both caulks and sealants are applied with a caulking gun (that’s why they are both generally referred to as caulks) and are used to fill gaps in materials. The difference between them is that sealants are more elastic and flexible. That’s why they work better in areas that are more sensitive to expansion and contraction.
ADVANTAGES OF A QUALITY SILICONE SEALANT.
Considering that silicone caulks are by far the superior caulking products, their use is undoubtedly the best solution for snowy areas like Quebec since they are both waterproof and long-lasting.
Its other notable advantages are:
- They maintain their flexibility at low and high temperatures: from as low as -40 degrees C to +232 degrees C., for that reason, a top-quality silicone sealant is less likely to crack in extreme temperatures.
- It doesn’t change colour.
- The finish:Â If done by a professional, the finished joints are smooth, straight and barely noticeable.Â
- An easy application.
- Mold-resistance and mildew-resistant silicone sealant:Â because it contains biocide which destroys pesticides and fungicides.
- High flexibility and less likely to crack, peel, and distort on buildings with movement.
- Perfect for sealing tubs, showers, sinks, toilets, etc.
- Can be applied at both low or hot temperatures.
KITCHEN AND BATH SILICONE SEALANT.
Silicone sealants are commonly recommended for areas that are prone to movement as well as for moist areas vulnerable to water damage like kitchens and bathrooms. All silicone caulks and sealants have high mould-resistance.
WHAT IS THE BEST WEATHER FOR A SEALANT APPLICATION?
Whether you plan to replace your window or door caulking, the first step is choosing the right atmosphere. Dry days with mild temperatures are the best days to install exterior sealants. Depending on the quality and brand of sealant, good silicone caulks can be applied at a temperature as low as -20C and as high as +40C. Silicone caulking can not be applied on wet surfaces, as it will lose its adhering properties.
HOW TO REMOVE SILICONE CAULKING?
Removing old silicone caulking is crucial for a successful caulking project. To do this, you will need patience, concentration, and something sharp (a razor blade, electric knife, or a putty knife). You can make the entire process easier either by using caulk removal step by step instructions.
To remove the old sealant:
Position the corner of the blade/knife under it. With the tool, start pushing the sealant along the joint. Remember to keep your blade/knife at a parallel angle to the joint line. If the silicone sealant doesn’t come off instantly in strips, you can use long-nosed pliers to remove the pieces that stayed attached.
After you remove the old caulk:
It’s very important that you properly clean and dry the surface. Use a brush to dust off any leftover dirt and then a solvent to remove any glue and stains.
STEPS TO REPLACE THE SILICONE SEALANT.
Steps for DIY window and door sealing ( For instructions with photos click here )Â Â Â
Removing old caulk is always the first step whether you want to seal the joint indoor and outdoor for a perfect seal and tight adhesion.
- cleaning the surfaces to promote the adhesive sealant’s properties.
- An application of a backer rod is required if the gaps are as wide as 1 inch or more.
- Tooling the joints to create an airtight seal.
- Cleanup of the property.
HOW TO APPLYÂ SILICONE SEALANT?
- For applying a sealant, use a sharp knife to cut the nozzle of the caulking gun at a 45-degree angle. This will enable you to fill hard-to-reach spots.
- Place the cartridge and then position the caulking gun parallel to the spot you plan to caulk.
- Pull a line with a maximum length of 2-3 feet in order to smooth it more efficiently afterwards.
- When you caulk, remember to apply even pressure on the trigger. This will eliminate chances for bumps and uneven surfaces.
- If you make a mistake, don’t worry! Just quickly remove the caulk/sealant, wipe the surface, and simply start over.
TOOLING AND SHAPING SILICONE CAULKS.
Out of all the different caulks and sealants on the market, silicone caulk has the nicest finish, as long as it is applied by a professional or an experienced individual. For durable and professional results, it is recommended to tool (smooth and tighten) the new sealant joints. The goal of this step is to airtight the caulking joint and this step also improves the appearance of the joint.
HOW DO YOU SMOOTH SILICONE SEALANT?
Some people use their fingers but that method is not recommended since the finger marks can remain on the sealant after it dries. For a truly smooth surface, we recommend using a flat spatula or a caulking stick. Our team’s tooling technique involves a hand-carved wooden stick; with the right technique and experience, the tooling stick easily creates a smooth finish that blends the sealant with your building material and enhances its appearance.
HOW LONG DOES SILICONE CAULK TAKE TO DRY?
Silicone caulk takes around 24 to 48 hours to dry. Avoid touching the fresh new caulk while it dries. Touching it can result in finger marks and dents in the caulking.
CLEANING SILICONE SEALANTS.
As years go by, your door and window sealants can get dirty and dusty. Silicon-based sealants and caulks are very easy to clean: You may simply wipe the sealants with rubbing alcohol. If a spot is tougher to clean, place a cloth damped in alcohol over it for a few minutes and then try again.
How to get rid of black mould on silicone sealants?
To remove black mould on silicone sealants, pour a mixture of bleach (1 cup) and water (1 gallon) over the sealant. Leave it on the surface for 30 minutes. Use a sponge to scrub it off, then rinse it with water.
CAN YOU PAINT OVER SILICONE CAULKS?
It is widely known that silicone-based sealants can not be painted over. Professional caulking service companies usually will carry a wide selection of silicone sealant colours to match every surface or building material, such as ADFAST, which offers 160 shades of sealants as part of their ADSEAL line.
If you must paint your joints, you may consider using the Dow Corning paintable silicone sealant. This product has the best qualities of both acrylic and silicone, being 100% durable, mildew-resistant, and fully paintable.
BEST QUALITY CAULKS AND SEALANTS.
There are many silicon products on the market so making the right choice may be difficult for some property owners. Here is what we recommend:
- Tremco silicone sealant – Tremco is a company with a long tradition, existing over 90 years. Today, they are industry leaders, providing high-quality products for both construction and residential purposes. Their variety of silicone sealant products will satisfy all types of projects and needs.
- Dow silicone products – Another industry leader is Dow, existing for well over 100 years. Its constant innovation in this field brings customers very precise colour matches, preformed sealants, and innovative coatings that eliminate issues due to thermal expansion and contraction.
- ADFAST (Adseal 4850 silicone sealants) – A North American company, manufacturing products in Quebec, ADFAST is a leading force in the adhesive industry. Its groundbreaking product, the Adseal 4850 silicone sealant comes in a variety of colours, can be used both as an interior and exterior sealant, has amazing UV-resistance, is non-corrosive and may be used on a broad range of materials (aluminum, glass, masonry, and some plastics).
CLFEUTRAGE APEX: CAULKING COMPANY ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF MONTREAL, IS SERVING LONGUEUIL, BROSSARD, SAINT JEAN SUR RICHELIEU AND 40 TOWN ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF MONTREAL.
Door and window caulking is fairly simple, but it generally should be done by experienced hands. One can easily spot the difference between professional and amateur silicone caulking. The former will provide long-lasting protection while the latter can easily go astray. If you are planning on doing the work by yourself, do good research on which elements must and must not be sealed.
IF YOU NEED A CAULKING COMPANY FROM THE SOUTH SHORE OF MONTREAL, CONTACT US:
By Phone 438-288-0338 (for English press 0)
Or by Email: info@calfeutrageapex.com
