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