Caulking Old Wood Siding

Here are the step by step procedures as discussed in our painting and stripping old wood siding overview page.

Caulking old wood siding.

Here s how to make the right choice. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. Sometimes the old caulk in the siding joint is cracked and you need to cut the old caulk out with a razor knife. Trim boards that sit on top the siding.

Painting and repairing old wood siding step by step. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time. Placing caulk over large portions of wood siding prohibits the natural movement of the wooden panels and can cause extensive damage to the exterior. Apply an epoxy consolidant to soft wood and coat the rest with.

It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. In the old days the builder would install the trim bring the siding up to it and caulk the corner. These siding joints can be caulked successfully if the gap is wide enough for the caulk to get into the crack. Remove the old siding.

Removing all the silicone is difficult to accomplish as there is almost always some residue and when you remove it from wood it inevitably grips onto the wood fibers and pulls them with it resulting in a mutilated work piece that requires lots of repair. As homeowners with this kind of siding know wood naturally expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. It needs to move and breathe. Think of a wood home as a living thing.

Fill any dents and holes with either a wood or epoxy filler. When it comes to things like old windows traditional glazing putty is a much better choice. Carefully use a pry bar to remove the siding. The selection in the caulk aisle at home centers is mind boggling but actually choosing the right one is pretty simple.

Pull out loose nails and renail using stainless steel siding nails. If the siding joint is so tight that the caulk only bridges the gap it may split again. Most of the caulk on store shelves is basically one of four types. Elastomeric polyurethane latex or silicone.

The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Be sure to remove any caulk where the siding overlaps as old houses need to breathe. Score the calk on the edges as the ends split easily. Siding windows and doors.