Caulking Tips

When caulking exterior, always use the best quality caulk that is available to you, due to the contraction and expansion of your home's substrates. Premature paint failure is often caused by applying caulking that has insufficient elasticity.

The interior of your home does not contract and expand nearly as much which means your caulking does not need the same level of flexibility. A medium grade caulk will work fine in most cases, though you will notice that the premium grade caulks tool much better.

Before I begin caulking, I get a 2 gallon bucket and put about 4 inches of warm or cold water, whatever is most comfortable, and a rag in it. The excess caulk on your finger is easily removed when you rub it on the rag in the bucket. This procedure also keeps your fingers soaking wet, you never want your fingers to be dry when wiping caulk.

Though we all have a favorite wiping finger, try to use all 10 as much as possible. The rotation will keep your favorite from wearing out and getting blisters.

Every now and then a company comes along and really gets something right. The new ETS series caulking guns at www.dripless.com are the finest I have ever used. I have the ETS5000 and would not trade it for any other gun available. If you have not tried one of these, you should treat yourself.