As a homeowner in the Barrie area, you are well aware of the harsh weather conditions that sometimes cause air drafts. Caulking windows is a great way to eliminate these drafts and protect your home.
As well, adding caulking around windows can make your home more energy efficient but drastically lowering your energy costs. Window caulking, along with high quality energy efficient vinyl windows can keep your home warm during the bitter cold winter months. As well, it can help keep heat and humidity at bay during the summer.
Read the following article for tips on how to ensure that the caulking on your Barrie windows is in good working condition.
Facts About Caulking Windows
What exactly is window caulking and how does it protect your home?
Caulking windows not only lowers energy costs, it can help keep insects from entering your home. This is especially important in the summer months as the bug population is at an all-time high due to higher levels of humidity.
Window caulking is made of malleable silicone. It is designed to fill any gaps that exist between the wall and the edge of the window unit. Its special design gives it the ability to contract or expand as the outdoor temperatures change.
Over time, caulking ages and can crack. Air bubbles can also surface. Both of these issues allow for air leaks as well as providing easier access for insects.
Those who have had their windows replaced recently can check their warranty to see if caulking is covered. In most instances, this is covered until the window warranty has expired. Be sure to read through the fine print, however. Some windows companies only cover caulking repair for the first year or two after the windows have been installed. Window caulking is typically performed at no cost to the homeowner if covered in the warranty.
Keep in mind that if your windows were installed as little as three weeks ago, you should allow for time for the caulking to completely dry and settle. In about three to four weeks following the installation, you should carefully inspect the edges of the window frames for missing caulk on both the exterior and interior of your windows.
How to Inspect Caulking Windows
- Check every window in your home for consistency in the window caulking. Every space must be filled evenly. Any cracks or holes could result in issues such as excessive humidity, cold drafts or insect infestation. As bugs like to nest on window frames, you should make sure there are no tiny holes in any area of the window caulking.
- In the process of settling, window caulking may bubble a bit around the bottom or edges of the window. As well, some of the insulation foam can bubble and ease its way into the caulking. This issue is typically included in the warranty.
- If you notice some dislocation on the surfaces of your window, this may be a result of cooking that has seeped over those areas.
- As your windows age, the window caulking can separate from the window, which can result in holes and cracks. These holes must be fixed to avoid any of the issues previously discussed in this article.
Once your windows installation was completed, your contactor or windows installer should have taken the time to properly and carefully inspect your windows for any issues, including the caulking. The window caulking should have been applied cleanly and evenly to blend smoothly with the design of your home. However, the main function of window caulking is to prevent air leaks, humidity and bugs from entering your home.