Have Questions About Dallas Caulking Services? We Have Answers!

Dallas caulking services are probably something you don't think about too often—until you're in need of a replacement or installation project. Caulk is an important part of Dallas homes. It lines your bathtub or window frames, and helps prevent wear and tear on other parts of your home—like drywall. It's important to ensure all the sealed areas in your house are up-to-date, properly filled and regularly maintained. The moment you spot a problem, it's imperative to fix the issue right away.

Should you discover that the sealed areas of your house are starting to wear, it's important that you hire a Dallas caulking service as soon as possible. Since sealant performs many important functions—such as stopping air from leaking into your home or moisture from damaging your walls—it needs to be replaced as soon as it starts to deteriorate.

But when does caulk deteriorate? Is it always obvious when it needs replacing? What is it even made out of? Can I DIY the installation, or do I need a professional service? Our Dallas handyman team has all your answers to caulking service questions, and much more.

This guide, which was put together by the pros at Mr. Handyman of Dallas, will give you further insight into Dallas caulking services, the various types of sealant available, and what to know about hiring experts for caulking services.

What are the Different Types of Caulk?

Modern sealant compounds can be made out of a wide variety of materials. While each is used to seal joints and seams against leakage, they're usually used for different purposes and materials. Modern sealant is primarily made out of synthetic materials. Initially, some of the original types of sealant were made out of fibrous materials like hemp. It was designed to seal the gaps between wooden ship boards. These days, a few common varieties of sealant used in Dallas include:

Acrylic Latex Caulk

Also known as painter's caulk, this is the most common variety of sealant used for Dallas caulking service. Were you to DIY caulking, it's what you'd likely pick up in a hardware store for small projects. Acrylic latex adheres well to wood, drywall, and masonry and is meant to cover small holes and cracks. It can be painted over for a seamless finish and is designed for interior use only.

Siliconized Acrylic Sealant

This variety combines the easy application of acrylic with the added durability of silicon—making it an ideal combination of the two materials. It provides a water-tight seal and is appropriate to use in more areas within and without Dallas homes. However, it's more difficult to clean up than pure acrylic sealant.

Pure Silicone

One of the most durable and water-tight sealants available on the market, this variety is what's commonly used in bathrooms—especially around sinks and toilets. It adheres very well to non-porous surfaces and lasts for years when applied properly. While pure silicone has many pros, one of its cons is that it does not adhere well to porous surfaces like drywall, masonry or wood. This sealant can be tricky to install DIY, so we suggest hiring professional Dallas caulking services from an expert local handyman service.

Vinyl Latex Caulk

Similar to acrylic latex in that this variety is easy to use, what sets vinyl latex apart is that it's much more durable than other types of sealant. It is also waterproof, unlike acrylic latex sealant, which makes it suitable for outdoor use.

Acrylic Tile Sealant

This type of sealant is useful for temporarily patching holes and gaps between tiles in areas that are prone to mold and mildew. However, this is only a BandAid solution to a bigger problem. Eventually, a more durable option should be used to permanently seal the tile.

Adhesive Caulk

An extremely strong glue, adhesive sealants are also known as “liquid nails.” This material is meant to hold two surfaces together while also providing sealing properties. Also, most adhesive sealants are mold and mildew resistant.

Butyl Rubber

This type is commonly used on roofing, chimneys, gutters and foundations in Dallas, and is extremely durable, water-tight and flexible. It lasts for years without maintenance, and will seal up a commercial or residential building to prevent moisture damage. A drawback to butyl rubber is that it's very messy to apply, which is why it's not often used indoors.

Asphalt

Although this material is similar to butyl rubber, one big difference is that asphalt breaks down when exposed to sunlight. Thus, it is usually used to seal shingles and other areas in Dallas homes with minimal sunlight exposure.

Fireproof Caulk

Bright red like a fire engine, this material is used to prevent fires from spreading through a building. It's usually installed at the same time that insulation is repaired or installed. Its job is to seal holes in a building where electrical and plumbing lines intersect.

Why Hire Professional Dallas Caulking Services?

All these different sealants have different uses and require professional skill to install properly. Trying to do it yourself can be time-consuming and messy. It looks easy, just squeeze it out of the can, right? But it's actually all too easy to make a mistake. And there is also a chance you might use the wrong type of sealant. That's why it's best to hire expert Dallas caulking services. There are numerous benefits to hiring professionals to handle your Dallas caulking service needs:

Seal Gaps

The main goal of hiring Dallas caulking services is to seal the many gaps that exist within and without your home. Usually, where one material meets another there is a gap that needs to be filled. For instance, sealant is used around window frames, door frames, light fixtures, shower heads, where tiles meet the wall and along crown molding.

Boost Energy Efficiency

Did you know that sealing gaps and holes is an important way to mitigate air leaks in your Dallas home? Leaks are inefficient and force your HVAC system to work harder than it's built too. Not only does this mean your utility bills will increase, but the HVAC machine itself may breakdown before its typical lifespan.

For instance, if leaks in your property are letting cold air in, you'll have to run your furnace longer to make up for the loss of heat. This results in significantly more energy being used to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. By sealing all the gaps and holes in your home with our local Dallas caulking services, you pay less on your energy bill and ensure your home is more energy efficient.

Where are the Most Common Areas for Air Leaks in Dallas Homes?

Many air leaks are located in common areas of the house—especially around windows and doors as these areas are more likely to let drafts in. Yet, there are other places that can be significant sources of energy loss, such as hidden air leaks in attics, basements and around chimneys. You should consider hiring a caulking service to properly seal these areas.

Waterproofing

Where there are gaps, there is a risk that moisture could lead to serious water damage. Excess moisture causes the growth of mold, mildew and wood rot. Not only can these issues cause serious problems for your Dallas home's structural integrity, but many of these bacteria and fungi also pose serious health problems. An appointment for professional caulking service will ensure your home is well protected against moisture damage.

Where is the Most Common Area for Water Leaks in Dallas Homes?

The bathroom is one of the most common areas where water damage occurs because of improper sealing. Sealant runs along where your shower pan, tiling or bathtub meets the wall. This region is vulnerable to water damage. As sealant begins to age and deteriorate, there's a risk water may leak behind your tiling or bathtub. This could make the supporting drywall or subfloor soggy and/or rotten.

Avoid Pest Infestations

Sealant can help deter unwelcome critters from getting inside your Dallas home. Any gap in your exterior walls is an invitation for all manner of creatures in Dallas. A dangerous area for sealant to deteriorate is along gutters. Animals like rats and squirrels, and insects like mosquitoes and cockroaches, will infiltrate your home wherever your caulk has deteriorated.

Where in My House Do I Need Caulking Service?

It's important to hire Dallas caulking services to seal gaps, cracks, or joints in areas where you want to keep water and/or air out in your home. Some common areas where sealant is needed include:

• Chimneys
• Basement rim joists (where the foundation meets the wood frame)
• Where faucets or pipes meet the house
• Cracks in exterior siding or where two different materials meet, such as where the siding and chimney join
• Around air vents and ducts
• Where electrical wiring and outlets, plumbing, recessed lighting, and phone or TV cables intersect with the wall
• Leaks in gutters or cracks in flashing
• Kitchen sinks, faucets, backsplashes, and countertops
• Bathroom tubs, showers, and backsplashes
• Between crown molding, baseboards, chair rails, and wallboard
• Cracks in the attic floor, walls, and holes where air can penetrate from the outside
• Windows and doors

Does Sealant Expire?

Most sealants will include a "best by" date near the bottom of the cartridge. That way, you can see if the material is still safe to use. Alternatively, if the tube of caulk has been sitting in your garage for a while and you're not sure if it's still good, or the best by date has faded, you can run a quick test to check if it's still usable. This test is only necessary for DIYers, as our team always uses fresh caulk.

1. Pipe a small bead onto a piece of cardboard.

2. Wait 15 minutes.

3. Check that the sealant is forming a skin, which means it's curing. If it doesn't do this, it's too old for use.

How Often Should You Hire Dallas Caulking Services?

There are many factors that may speed up or slow down the rate at which sealant deteriorates. However, the rule of thumb is that caulk lasts about five years. After this time, we suggest hiring a professional caulking service to replace it, otherwise you risk a range of damage occurring in your home. Some of the factors that influence how long caulk last are as follows:

• Type and quality of product
• Condition of the surface it was applied to
• Method of application
• Humidity levels
• Mold or mildew damage
• Level of maintenance

How Do You Fix Caulking Mistakes?

Bad caulking is an eyesore and could lead to problems inside your home—such as water intrusion. If you made a poor choice in the service team you hired or tried using sealant yourself and made a mess of things, don't stress. Caulk isn't permanent, and even the worst mistakes can be repaired.

There are two ways to remove bad caulking. If the product used is not acrylic and was freshly applied, you may be able to use a damp rag to soften the material and gently peel it off. Alternatively, many types of interior sealant can be scraped off with needle nose pliers or a caulk removal tool.

If you'd rather not risk making a bad situation worse, put your trust in the experts at Mr. Handyman of Dallas. Our team of friendly and hardworking technicians have years of experience working in a wide range of trades, and possess the skills, knowledge and tools to deliver outstanding results.

Hire Our Team Today for Dallas Caulking Services!

Is your sealant more than five-years-old? Or perhaps it's cracking and peeling, and you need a professional to replace it. When you need expert Dallas caulking service, trust the experienced team at Mr. Handyman of Dallas. We've helped numerous homeowners with a wide range of home improvement services across the Dallas area, including in communities like Las Colinas and Rose Hill.

To book an appointment today, we invite you to give our friendly customer service representatives a call.