| The history of caulk in America began in 1638 when | | | | precise bead of caulk. To begin, slice open the tube |
| Finnish settlers built the first log cabins in America | | | | of caulk at a 45-degree angle with a utility knife. |
| along the banks of the Delaware River. They shoved | | | | Practice a little with the gun, engaging and releasing |
| clay and moss into the cracks between logs to keep | | | | the trigger. After laying down the desired bead of |
| out the winter cold.Modern caulk is no longer made of | | | | caulk, immediately release the trigger which will halt |
| clay but of materials such as silicone and acrylics. | | | | the flow of caulk.After applying the caulk you may |
| Applying caulk in and around your house is among the | | | | be tempted to even out the bead with your finger - |
| easiest and most beneficial of all homeowner | | | | as all the home improvement shows and instructional |
| projects. Like the clay chinking of pioneer days, | | | | books direct. Resist the temptation. Before setting |
| today's caulk also seals small gaps in brick, wood, | | | | about on your caulking adventure purchase a small |
| drywall and other common house construction | | | | fitch brush which is commonly used to apply shellac. |
| materials. Trapping interior heated or cooled air will | | | | A fitch brush is shaped like a closed rose pedal. Also |
| save many dollars of utility costs but caulking pays | | | | bring along a small container of water to your point |
| even bigger dividends.A properly caulked house will | | | | of attack.After laying down your bead of caulk, dip |
| direct moisture away from the foundation and | | | | your fitch brush in the water and brush down the |
| wooden support systems preventing rot to the | | | | bead until it is smooth and has completely filled the |
| structure of the house. Caulked gaps also prevent | | | | gap. If you have laid down too heavy a bead, you |
| wood-devouring insects from easy gateways to your | | | | may have to dip the brush more than once to keep |
| house's framing. And yet another thing the flexible | | | | the caulk workable. Dip the brush back in the water |
| caulk will keep out of your living space - noise, thus | | | | to keep caulk from building up in the bristles and |
| increasing the aural comfort of your home.There are | | | | repeat the process until you have sealed the entire |
| many types of caulk. The one you choose will | | | | joint. Using this "wet caulking" method is quicker than |
| depend on your project. If you will be painting over | | | | your finger, tidier than your finger and creates a |
| the caulk you cannot use a silicone-based caulk since | | | | more attractive finish. And no more will you recoil in |
| it is not paintable. Silicone will bond to almost anything, | | | | pain from rubbing your finger across a jagged |
| however, making it a good sealant for non-porous | | | | splinter.copyright 2006I am the author of over 20 |
| substances such as ceramic tile, glass and metal | | | | books, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including |
| surfaces. A masonry caulk retains elasticity and will | | | | the widely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As |
| remain in cracks in mortar and concrete. Caulk comes | | | | publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we produce the |
| in many colors to match the existing surface color. | | | | innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking |
| You can even buy a clear caulk.Caulk is applied from | | | | books found at During the warm months I lead |
| either a squeeze tube or a caulk gun, with the gun | | | | canine hikes as tour leader for tours, leading packs of |
| usually being the preferable of the two in laying a | | | | dogs and humans on day and overnight trips. |