Whatever the reason, almost every home owner has at one time or another purchased a tube of caulk.  Over the last few years, much has changed in the world of caulk.  If you doubt it, just walk into any hardware store and check out the caulk department.  Today, we can easily be overwhelmed by the number of compositions, colors, and containers.

So how does one decide which caulk is the most appropriate one to purchase?  The first consideration in selecting the right caulking compound is to consider the application.  Is it for interior or exterior use?  What are you trying to achieve?  Is it to weatherproof, hide unsightly gaps or  to block drafts?  Does the application need some flexibility?

There are many formulations on the market, many of which combine basic ingredients in different ways to enhance such characteristics as cure times, ease of cleanup, longevity and flexibility.

Chemically speaking, there are five common types of caulk.

Latex:  Latex caulks are easy to work with.  They are basically water-based caulks that are applied as a liquid.  They have the least ability to stretch and thus they work best on interior applications where little movement is expected.  Nowadays latex is often combined with another type of caulk, like acrylic, to enhance their performance.  The life span of latex caulk is 5-10 years.
 

Acrylic:  These caulks consist of a family of synthetic resins that are water-soluble and clear.  They can be painted and cleaned up with water thus making them good for touch-ups and for filling small gaps.  A high performance acrylic caulk, called elastomeric caulk, is designed for greater elasticity and is the favorite for those that value speed and ease of application.  The life span of acrylic caulk is 5-10 years.

Butyl:  This is one of the oldest and most affordable types of caulk.  It has good adhesion and weather resistance so it is popular for sealing gutters, chimney flashings, walks and exterior joints.  It is solvent based and characteristically stringy which makes it difficult to apply to a finished quality joint.

Polyurethane:  This type of caulk is preferred for outdoor applications where high quality in important.  This caulk bonds to most surfaces including masonry and metal, holds up well to heavy movement, has tremendous bonding ability, and can be painted.  Because of its bonding ability, removal usually involves cutting or sanding unwanted caulk.  Also, a paint thinner is needed for cleanup as it is a solvent-based material.

This is a popular caulk for filling indoor gaps in floorboards because polyurethane can take the high-traffic stresses of floors.  However, for most indoor applications, the use of a polyurethane caulk is “over-kill”.  Polyurethane caulk is a harder caulk to control and takes longer to set up.  Because it is more difficult to work with, acrylic latex caulk is often perfectly suitable.  Polyurethane has a life span of 10-20 years.

Silicone:  This product incorporates chemicals that induce the polymers to “room temperature vulcanize” or RTV.  This process releases acetic acid as a by-product, producing a vinegar scent.  Silicone caulk is basically non-porous so it is excellent for making something watertight.  Therefore, it is most often used in shower and sink applications and glasswork.  It is rubbery but does not stick as well as other caulking compounds.  Up until recently it could not be painted.  However, new hybrid siliconized acrylics are available that offer greater elasticity and are paint-friendly.

General Information:  The primary goal of interior caulking is to seal against drafts along exterior walls and at intersections and prevent water intrusion at plumbing fixtures.  A thin bead of caulk can also hide unsightly gaps and make joints easier to keep clean.  Exterior caulk is good for shedding water and making your home more weather and draft resistant.
 

One secret to an attractive and long lasting caulk job is good preparation and meticulousness.  Surfaces should be very clean before caulking.  To help produce an attractive application, mask off the surrounding area with tape.  Always have cleaning materials ready and remember that for solvent based caulks like polyurethane, paint thinner can leave stains on nearby finished surfaces.  Never depend on caulk alone to fill a gap wider than ¼”.  For gaps bigger than this, first insert some foam cording in the gap and then fill with caulk.  How well caulk fills the gap also depends on environmental exposure, such as shifts in temperature, ultraviolet light, weather and building movement.  Always carefully read the product label for application purposes and check out the manufacturer’s website.

 

 

There is a Massachusetts Law that addresses the potential for carbon monoxide gas in residential dwellings and preventive measures to take.  It took effect on March 31, 2006.

 

“Nicole’s Law” , Chapter 123 of the Acts of 2005, was signed by Governor Mitt Romney on November 4,2005.  This law is named for Nicole Garofalo, a 7 year old Plymouth girl who died in her family home after snow blocked a heating vent, trapping carbon monoxide gases inside the home.

 

Among its several requirements, Nicole’s Law includes that there be working carbon monoxide detectors in every dwelling, building, or structure occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes that contain fossil-fuel burning equipment, including boilers, furnaces, fireplaces and hot water heaters and/or enclosed parking.

 

The law also provides for the imposition of stricter requirements for new construction or dwellings, buildings and structures that have been substantially renovated so as to constitute the equivalent of new construction.

 

Carbon Monoxide

What is Carbon Monoxide?

 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless, and tasteless.  It is the most toxic substance you will come in contact with in your daily life.

 

Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?

 

Carbon Monoxide gas is produced whenever any fuel, such as wood, charcoal, gas, oil or kerosene is burned.  It can be found in your home, at work, in your garage, car, or boat.  There are hundreds of fatalities every year from Carbon Monoxide and just a small amount of Carbon Monoxide in your living area can cause major problems over time.

 

Winter snows can create drifts that block exhaust vents, forcing Carbon Monoxide Gas to back-up into your home.  High efficiency appliances and those with power-vent blowers by definition waste less heat, so the exhaust temperature is very low.  Often it is too low to melt snow in a plugged exhaust pipe or vent.  To provide proper ventilation, keep sidewall and direct vents clear of obstructions, drifting snow, and bushes.

 

Symptoms

 

Carbon Monoxide poisoning enters the lungs and blood where it competes with oxygen normally carried by red blood cells.  The Carbon Monoxide attaches to the cells 200 times easier than oxygen.  Without oxygen, the cells begin to die.  Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can produce flu-like symptoms such as fainting, confusion, dizziness, nausea and headaches.

 

What Do You Do If Exposed?

 

If you suspect you are being exposed to Carbon Monoxide, get out of the building and get fresh air.  Call your local fire department.  If you have symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

 

How Do I Protect Myself and Family?

 

Install Carbon Monoxide detectors in your home.  The detector should be approved by Underwriters Laboratory or a similar, certified national laboratory.

 

Place the detectors near bedrooms and where people spend most of their time.  Do not place the detectors in a garage, furnace room or near the stove or fireplace.

 

Detectors should be kept away from open windows or doors, cold or damp areas, excessively hot areas, and areas such as corners of rooms and peaks of ceilings where there are “dead-air spaces”.

 

How Do I Prevent the Problem?

 

If appliances that burn fuel are properly maintained and used, the amount of Carbon Monoxide is usually not hazardous.  Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that come with fuel burning devices.  Appliances that are not working properly or are used incorrectly can produce dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide.

 

Other steps to take include having a qualified service technician inspect your appliances yearly, before the heating season.  Check vent pipes, flues, and chimneys for leaks or blockages.  Never use a charcoal grill indoors.

 

Other steps for prevention include not running a vehicle inside a garage, even if the door is open, not sleeping in any room with an un-vented gas heater.  Also do not use a gas oven to heat your home and never use gasoline-powered engines such as generators, chainsaws, mowers etc in enclosed spaces.