Have some painting projects you’d like to tackle? Well, you should know about caulking!
Caulking is one of those underestimated parts of the panting process that people tend to disregard when they do exterior and interior painting projects. The fact is that caulking is very important in painting, and it is done by professional painters and those who know how to get the job done right.
So does every paint job need caulking? It depends on whether or not the job is exterior or interior.
Caulking and exterior paint jobs
Caulking during exterior paint jobs is very important to seal any gaps and cracks, as these can be your home’s worst enemy. Caulking increases energy efficiency by sealing in warm or cool air and preventing drafts. It also prevents pests from getting into your home.
Moisture can be deterred from your home by caulking as well. A high quality sealant can inhibit water from getting under the paint, reducing peeling, bubbling, and the development of mold.
Caulking and interior paint jobs
Interior caulking is usually done with trimwork to create a seal and fix cracks. You can buy painted trimwork that is easy to work with and inexpensive, but it’s not always the way to go for some homeowners who don’t rely on convenience.
In a home the most common areas that need to be caulked are:
- Where the baseboard meets the wall and inside corners of baseboard
- Where the door jam casing meets wall
- Where the door jam casing meets door frame
- Where the vertical pieces of door frame meet horizontal pieces
- Where the window casing meets the wall and vinyl window
Caulk can also be used if your ceiling or other wall is already painted and you just want to paint one wall. Tape the edges, but also apply a line of paintable caulk into the edge of the tape. Smooth the caulk out with your finger, paint over the caulk and tape, and pull off the tape before the caulk dries.