With the end of summer approaching, now is a great time to plan that home renovation project you've had on hold for so long. Weatherproofing the exterior of your home and replacing damaged shingles.
Weatherproofing
Fall is a great time to weatherproof your home by caulking joints, seams, and gaps on the exterior of your home. This is because the width of the joint is halfway between its seasonal extremes.
When selecting caulk, remember these important points:
1.) Plain latex caulk is not suitable for outdoor purposes.
2.) The standard 10 ½ -ounce tube produces a 40 to 50-feet long, averaged-sized bead. This is enough to seal about four average-sized windows or doors.
3.) For extra-large gaps, expanding foam caulk works best.
Five types of caulk are suitable for all your exterior needs: acrylic latex, butyl rubber, copolymer (sometimes labeled as “new technology†caulk), polyurethane, and silicone.
1.) Acrylic Latex: has a life span of 5 to 25 years; longer if blended with silicone. This works best on wood siding, and around windows and doors; usage on metal is not recommended as it does not bond well on non-porous surfaces. It is easy to apply, cures fast, is available in colors, and can be painted over. Do not use in high moisture areas.
2.) Butyl Rubber: has a life span of 10 to 20 years. This works best on concrete block, brick, and metal. It has good flexibility, is great for high moisture areas, is available in colors, can be painted over, and is excellent for aluminum siding.
3.) Copolymer (new technology): has a life span of 30 to 40 years. It works well on many surface types; tile, brick, stone, wood, concrete, metal, glass, asphalt, and vinyl. It has excellent adhesion and good flexibility, can be painted over, and comes in clear or colors. This caulk is great for joining dissimilar materials, and resists tearing when scraped. However, it can be flammable during application, and should not be used on polystyrene or other plastics, as it can cause damage.
4.) Polyurethane: has a life span of 20 to 50 years. It works best on concrete block, metal, brick, plastic, wood, and fiberglass; has great flexibility, adhesion, and strength. Resists weather temperature extremes, can be painted over, and is available in different colors. On the down side, polyurethane caulk is higher in cost, is flammable and toxic while being applied. It can also be difficult to find.
5.) Silicone: has a life span of 20 to 50 years. It works best on metal, tile, glass, and other smooth, nonporous surfaces. Although it cannot be painted over, silicone caulk is popular for its good flexibility, ability to join dissimilar materials, and because it shrinks less than other type caulks. It can also be applied at nearly any temperature. It is not for use on masonry, and performs poorly on cedar and redwood. It is also smelly and irritating to skin during application.
Checking for and Replacing Damaged Shingles
While attending to in-need-of-repair areas of your roof is important, climbing onto the roof is hazardous. That is why prudent Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal homeowners prefer to hire an experienced professional for the job.
Qualified, licensed professionals are familiar with proper safety precautions and know how to climb and move about a roof safely. They also have insurance for that purpose, and have the right tools and skill required for necessary repairs.
It is best to perform a visual check of the roof from the safety of the ground. Use a pair of binoculars. Look for damaged shingles, rusty flashing, and cracked sealant. If you see anything amiss, have a leaky roof, require new shingles, or want an obsolete antenna taken down and holes patched, finding a roofing contractor in your area is easy.
Submit your project online at www.trustedpros.ca. Local contractors are ready to bid competitively on your project. Combine both home renovation projects - roof repair and exterior caulking - for the best price possible!
Posted by: TrustedPros
