Details are an important part

of every remodelling project

DETAILS ARE among the most
important — yet often overlooked
— aspects of any remodelling pro-
ject.

Experts agree that paying atten-
tion to details and a quality pro-
ject go hand in hand.

For example, the relatively easy
and very inexpensive step in using
caulks and sealants to close open-
ings around doors, windows,
baseboards and outlets is a good
way to add both longevity and a
quality finish to your project.

Caulks and sealants are so sim-
ple to use, and yet they do a pow-
erful job of protecting your home
from water damage, sealing out
drafts and giving your work a
finished look.

Although many people hate
those final details, it’s just a mat-
ter of getting organized to finish
off a project. Make a list of all
finishing details, then divide them
according to project.

For example, if you need to
finish painting, list filling nail
holes, patching construction dings
and touching up paint as one pro-
ject.

It’s easier concentrating on onc
project at a time and doing a
quality job rather than running
around trying to slap things
together.

One of the most important and
easiest projects is caulking and
sealing joints and seams. In one
afternoon, you can improve the
quality and appearance of your
finished project.

Which caulk to choose

Before starting, evaluate what
kind of caulk you need. For resi-
dential use, your choice is between
latex caulks and silicone sealants.

Latex caulks are the most fre-
quent choice of do-it-yourselfers.
They are the easiest to apply,
come in a variety of colors, and
suit most jobs,

The best way to separate latex
caulks is to divide them into
good-better-best categories. Pra-
ducts in the good category have a
five-year life expectancy.

However, they can become hard
and brittle, and offer tittle joint
expansion flexibility.

Better caulks last about 25 years
and have approximately 25% joint
movement flexibility. Only silicone
sealants or advanced latex sealants
fal] into the best category. Those
last about 50 years, and can toler-
ate 50% total joint movement.

Latex caulks are the most flexi-

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ble in terms of price and usage,
You also.can clean up excess
caulk with water, and you can use
them indoors without ventilation,
because they are odor-free and
contain no hazardous substances.

Latex cau" 5 are paintable and
adhere to the widest variety of
surfaces, including glass, ceramic
tile, brick, wood, metal and con-
crete.

Silicone sealants are the choice
of consumers who truly want the
best products they can buy.

For interior or exterior use, sili-
cone sealants resist moisture better
than latex caulks, but only adhere
to specific surfaces such as glass,
porcelain and metal, ‘They do not
adhere well to wood or masonry.

Getting started

Before caulking or sealing, be
sure to gather: enough caulk for
the job; a caulking gun; putty
knife and scissors; a nail to punc-
ture inner seals; and clean, dry
cloths.

You might be surprised at how
many areas need caulk.

Some often overlooked, but
important areas te check are:

@ door and window joints along
drip caps, over windows and over
exterior frames.

© outside air vents for the fur-
nace, hot water heater, kitchen
hood and dryer,

@ entry points around pipes and
electrical wires, air conditioners
and water faucets.

@ joints between outside walls
and foundations, siding corner
joints, and between brick surfaces
and siding.

® attic openings for a plumbing
waste stack and any other pipes
that come through the attic floor.
@® seams where flooring meets
baseboards and between door
threshold and flooring.

@ basement floor seams and
openings around pipes entering
through the foundation.

Tips for a quality job

First, prepare your surface, us-
ing a wire brush or sandpaper to
remove al! dirt, dust and loose
particles. Also be sure the surfaces
are free of excess moisture before
applying new sealant. .

Cut off the tip of the nozzle t
the bead size, usually three-six-
teenths of an inch, to fill the gap
or joint. Cut off the tip at a 45-
degree angle.

If using a cartridge, load it into

Call for a free consultation

The principals of SYNTHESIS design
have strong design backgrounds
with Master degrees in Architecture,
years of profassional practice and 4
@ thorough understanding of the B

elvic process.

the caulking gun. Squeeze tubes
don't need an applicator.

Hold the gun or squeeze tube at
an angle to the joint and push the
sealant ahead of the nozzle, ap-
plying uniform pressure.

To get a clean look and make
tooling easier, put masking tape
along both surfaces. Simply pull
up the tape when caulking is
completed,

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