How to Replace Window Caulking
Some homeowners take the necessary steps to do maintenance work on their home before the cold weather season arrives. The caulking around the windows is one of the things that should be checked and replaced if necessary because it will prevent cold air from entering the house.
Replacing the window caulking can prevent a draft from entering the house. It is not a repair that you need to hire someone to do because you can do it yourself.
- Use a putty knife to remove the old caulking from around the window. If you find the caulking is not coming off easy, you may want to apply a chemical caulking remover and allow it to remain on the caulking until it becomes soft enough to easily remove. All the caulking from the window needs to be removed to ensure the new caulking will adhere to the surface properly.
- Cut the tip off of the caulking tube at an angle using your utility knife, and then remove the top from the caulking tube and puncture a hole in the foil and replace the top.
- Load the caulking tube into your caulking gun and gently squeeze the trigger to bring the caulk down to the edge of the opening.
- Slowly squeeze the trigger to the gun and begin applying the caulking around the sill of the window. It is recommended that you start at the corner and try not to stop until you reach the next corner.
- Use an old towel to clean the end of the tube and continue to do the remainder of the window while stopping at each corner.
- Dip your finger in soapy water and run it over the caulk to smooth it out once you have finished caulking the entire window.