Do This Once A Year To Protect Your Home From Rot
Owning a house often feels like a never ending to-do list where the scariest items are the ones you can not see. We worry about the roof leaking or the basement flooding, but the real danger is usually much quieter. It is that slow silent creep of moisture getting into places it shouldn't be. Over time, it rots wood from the inside out and by the time you notice the damage it is often an incredibly expensive repair. Thankfully, there’s one simple task, that only takes a day to do, that can protect your home from rot for the rest of the year.
The Problem With Water
Water is incredibly persistent and it will find even the tiniest opening to get inside your walls. It does not need a big hole or a broken window to cause trouble. All it takes is a small hairline crack in a seam that has weathered over the winter. Once that water gets behind your siding or trim, it sits there and creates the perfect environment for mold and rot to set in without you ever knowing it’s happening.
The Annual Walk Around
The solution is surprisingly simple and it does not require hiring a professional. It is called a "caulk audit" and you only need to do it once a year. Pick a nice crisp day in the spring or fall to just walk slowly around the entire outside of your house. You are looking for any spot where two different materials meet. This could be where brick meets siding or where your window frames meet the wall.
Knowing What To Look For
You don't need to be a contractor to spot the trouble zones. Look closely at the existing caulk lines around your windows and doors. If you see material that is cracked or shrinking back, it is time to act. If the caulk is peeling away or crumbling when you touch it, that is also a red flag. These are the entry points where rain and humidity are sneaking past your home's defenses, so they need to be sealed up.
Clean It Out First
If you find a bad spot, it is tempting to just squeeze new caulk right over the top, but please resist that urge. For a seal to really hold you need to prep the surface properly. Take a scraper or a utility knife and gently remove the old failing caulk. Then, wipe the area down to get rid of any dust and mildew. You want a clean, dry surface so that the new material can bond tightly and last for years.
Sealing It Up
Head to the hardware store and grab a tube of high quality exterior caulk. Look for one that is paintable and silicone or polyurethane based. Apply a smooth bead into the gap you just cleaned. You can use your finger or a specific smoothing tool to press it in and make it look neat. It is a small bit of work that creates a watertight barrier against the elements and protects your home’s structure from rot and other moisture damage.
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This simple yearly ritual might not be the most exciting way to spend an afternoon, but it is very much worth it. For the cost of a few tubes of caulk and an hour of your time, you are potentially saving thousands of dollars in future repairs. You can sleep a little better the next time a heavy rainstorm rolls through knowing that you have personally checked the seals and kept your home safe and dry.
Bliss Donahue-Power
