While many people think of joint sealing, or caulking, in terms of sealing gaps around internal window frames and door frames, it is also important to note that sealing is just as important in other areas around the exterior of the property.

Exterior caulking focuses on open joints, cracks and seams which allow heat to escape during winter, as well as creating spaces that bring in moisture and cold drafts – along with insects that will take every opportunity to make these areas their home.

Caulks and sealants do serve similar functions, but there are key differences in how these two products are used and where they should be used; both of these products are used to fill cracks or gaps between two different types of material, but knowing which to use where is very important.

Using the wrong sealant will be an expensive mistake, which makes calling in an expert to take on the project from the start is going to save you a lot of time, money and frustration, especially when you consider that trying to choose the right sealant on your own can be a confusing experience.

Walk into your closest hardware store and you will be faced with row upon row of fancy names that all claim to be the best, but every sealant and caulk has its own unique qualities, and no matter how well you read the instructions, there are things you really need to know that will not be listed on those labels!

While some caulks and sealants claim to be paintable and easy to clean up with water, others claim to do it all, adding further confusion into the mix!  On top of all of this, you need to take into account that the main difference between a sealant and a caulk is elasticity; caulks should be used in areas that produce minimal contraction and expansion because of their rigidity when dry, while sealants, mostly silicone based, are better for areas that expand and contract.

Any professional painting contractor will tell you that the key to lasting sealing or caulking lies in good surface preparation, and this is where their expertise is invaluable. If you want the sealing of joints and gaps to last, whether interior or exterior, stepping aside to let experience take over is going to save you a lot of time and money.

The location of joint sealing also needs to be taken into consideration, you cannot use the same product in the kitchen or bathroom as you would to seal gaps between walls and windows or between a floor and skirting board. Temperature, humidity and moisture also affects the application of sealants, each area to be sealed is going to require a product that bonds well with both materials where a joint or gap has appeared.

A qualified painting contractor will be able to do a thorough inspection of your residential or commercial property to detect any air leakage internally and externally, and offer you professional insight into how he and his team will be able to tackle these issues effectively, with solutions that will last through all seasons.

Painters Somerset West has made sourcing professionals to carry out joint sealing something you can do with little effort on your part, offering you the opportunity to source 3 quotations from highly recommended contractors through just one online quote request form!

Let Painters Somerset West take all the hassle out of trying to find the best painting contractors in your area, free of charge, and leave joint sealing up to the professionals!