As I was watering the various flora that inhabit the immediate area around my home and found that I need to get my caulking gun out and show off some mad skills!
Every penetration through the siding should be inspected, think hose bibs, A/C units, cable/ISP/telephony into the home and the gas meter. There are many types of caulk to choose from, in many cases it would be wise to go with an exterior, paintable, siliconized type which allows for application over a wider range of areas.
Everyone has a different technique when applying the sealant, some use tape and want the look to be very clean while others like a more free form approach… either way, be sure that the area is clean and clear of debris and be sure to put enough of the sealant in the hole so it can do the job. Smooth out with a tool or your finger, VIOLA! You have caulked a hole in your siding!
This is also a great way to make your home more efficient as well! You have identified air leaks that raise heating and cooling costs as well as lessened the possibility that water will find its way in, and you have reduced the potential of an infestation of your favorite nightmare fuel!
An example of why you should take your caulking seriously was told to me by a neighbor, paraphrasing “… a chipmunk decided to make a nest in a wall by entering through a hole next to the spigot… I never thought anything of it as it was a pretty small hole, I used the spigot right under it and never saw anything that raised concern, everything was well and good in the warmer months and I forgot about it. Come January, I had a flooded basement and a wall full of nuts and chipmunk (poo).”
If you are new to the caulk gun game, check this out…
Practice, practice, practice!
