Caulking, for a fresh 'new' look in your home

Remodeling is a wonderful way to make a tired home look like new. But not every budget or schedule allows for tackling a major project -- even when it is needed. However, there are ways to spruce up your household and to give it a fresh "new" look, without breaking the bank, by investing just a few hours on a much-needed home maintenance task such as caulking.

Caulking is that stuff that builders and contractors use to fill and seal seams where two surfaces meet, to prevent water and weather from entering and causing damage. And if your home is five to 10 years old (or more) chances are good that many of those seams are both looking shabby and probably no longer doing their job to protect your home.

While recaulking is a great way to cosmetically freshen appearances, resealing these joints is even more beneficial as a means of preventing pervasive moisture from getting into walls or under tile and floors where nasty mold and rot can do their dirty work. Consequently, what could have amounted to the cost of a tube or two of caulking and a bit of time may end up costing you a second mortgage and some major rot repair.

So it's off to the hardware store or home center for a trip down the "caulk and adhesives" aisle.

Today, selecting the right product for the job can be a confusing undertaking since there are so many different types of "caulks and sealants" designed for specific jobs and applications.

And let's not forget the patching compounds and putty that are often located along the same aisle, which further complicate matters.

Unless you have a special repair need, you can get by with a few basic types of caulks and sealants, such as latex or silicone. Of these, while water-soluble latex caulk is perfect for interior use along baseboards; around windows, silicone caulk is even better.

It can be used both indoors or out and for almost any purpose. It bonds to almost any surface, does not become brittle with age and provides outstanding water- and weather-resistance. Silicone caulk and hybrid caulks with silicone are generally your best bet. And if you plan to paint when finished, be sure to buy a "paintable" silicone caulk.

Two more small products, and you're all set to give your home a total "top-to-bottom" tuneup.