Sealants are not what they are all caulked up to be.

Sometimes the most simple of repairs can make you crazy. For instance, I had just received a call from a past client who caulked his shower wall recently. I was asked why mold and mildew would be present in just a period of weeks after new caulking was applied. I asked what type of sealant he used. Of course the answer was I used caulk. I again asked about the composition of the caulk and the reply was regular good old fashioned caulk. Not all caulks are the same. Here are a few tips on types of caulk used.

The basic use of caulk is to provide an air and water tight seal. For this goal to be achieved the caulk must have good adhesion characteristics, and provide enough flexibility to resist cracking over time. You may be sealing two different types of material. The caulk and or sealant must be able to stick to a variety of material from glass, metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, and composite material just to name a few. For projects around the house there are a few types of caulks that are in use as follows:

Acrylic latex caulk (sometimes called painter's caulk): This type of caulk is used primarily as a sealant around windows and doors. Acrylic latex caulk is available in a range of colors, and it can be painted over to match the adjoining surfaces. This type is easier to apply than silicon caulk, and clean is easy with soap and water.

Butyl rubber caulk: This kind of caulk is the strongest and most durable. Its main use is to fill cracks in concrete and brick, but it can also be used to seal metal surfaces. Although Butyl rubber caulk does not come in assorted colors, it can be painted to match surrounding surfaces. Clean up requires the use of a solvent.

Silicon caulk: When you want to keep an all-purpose caulk on hand, this is the type you will want. Silicon caulk can be used on a wide variety of non-porous surfaces - from metal to plastic. Its best feature is that is remains somewhat flexible even after drying, so it is not prone to cracking due to temperature fluctuation. Silicon caulk cannot be painted; however, it is available in a range of colors.

The above caulks are just the basic types. Products such as Siliconized Acrylic caulks are on the market today. Also you can find water based all acrylic caulk. The last two caulks are more expensive but they put together the best qualities of the basic caulks to create a superior sealant. Also, specialty caulks are on the market. Bathroom and Kitchen caulks have built-in mildew fighters and can stay bright white for years.

The important point is that different jobs will require different types of caulk to get the job done with superior performance. It is important to read labels and ask your hardware professional about the application you are going to be making. Picking the right product means a great looking job that will last years.