Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Exterior Caulking
Exterior Caulking guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Exterior Caulking? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Exterior Caulking work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Exterior Caulking work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Exterior Caulking labor cost? What are the important Exterior Caulking quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Exterior Caulking - Frequently Asked Questions
| Is Exterior Caulking something that I can do myself? | Most of the Exterior Caulking project can be completed by a moderately experienced do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Exterior Caulking requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Exterior Caulking work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Exterior Caulking - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Exterior Caulking. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Exterior Caulking work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All materials, connectors and fasteners used for the Exterior Caulking will be mechanically and electrochemically (non-corroding) compatible with the Exterior Caulking
- All caulk will be applied to a uniform depth and constant width, with full adhesion to adjacent surfaces. The caulk will be finished smooth and flush. All excess caulk will be removed.
- Cutouts on exterior walls will be neat, uniform and no larger than necessary; any air gaps around the cutout(s) will be insulated and sealed; the cutout(s) will not be visible when cover plates are installed
- There will be no caulking on hardware, trim plates or fittings; attached hardware and fittings should be removed prior to caulking application, whenever possible
Exterior Caulking - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Exterior Caulking. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the caulking work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Review written list of work to be completed; review quality requirements and payment terms before work begins
- Review material choices for Exterior Caulking with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Remove existing caulking (optional)
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Install caulking using caulking gun, per manufacturer nailing specifications and applicable local building code(s)
- Inspect Exterior Caulking and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
