Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Caulking for Dummies


An old house loves caulk. Any house with cracks would for that matter. Now, I’m okay at painting and sort of okay at wallpapering, and I’m learning which products work best and helpful crap like that. But for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why the caulking gun wouldn’t work yesterday. After I tried to read the pinhole size print on the back of the tube of caulk, I jumped on the Internet and the first Google search led me to Wilway Lumber’s how-to site and the answer to my question. Why couldn’t the manufacturer tell me this on the product to begin with?

After you get the cartridge of caulk in the gun,
“With a 16d or 20d nail, puncture the seal between the nozzle and the cartridge. You’ll have to poke the nail down the cartridge to do this – after, of course, you cut the angle on the nozzle. If you do not break this seal, the pressure generated by the caulking gun on the cartridge can crush the cartridge. It’s a mess.”
Worked like a charm.

I’m beginning to figure out things for myself and with the help of the Internet, I am starting to feel pretty darned smart. Smarter than my neighbor who rapped on my door last night anyway. “I’m locked out,” he said. “Can I borrow a screwdriver and pliers?” “Sure,” I said. “And how about a flashlight?” His look said “D’oh.”

7 comments:

Marion said...

Old houses love caulking...I think our house eats it for breakfast!

The Internet is great for us home repair newbies. And right at the tip of my fingers...no more having to call someone with a fairly naive question...lol!

Sheila said...

Marion, we have to learn to do some things or else win the lottery. I'm getting the hang of caulking but I'll be danged if I'm going to get on a tall ladder to do all that is needed. It's scary and I'm afraid of heights.

Unknown said...

Hi Sheila!!! I hate to say been there, done that!!! But...I have!!!

Sheila said...

Janey, thanks for stopping by. I guess I'm a little old to be learning this sort of chore.

Tim said...

I think the last two hurricanes took much of ours away, including the protective seal around our bay windows . . . I think perhaps it's on top of this summer's project list. Sigh . . .

Jackie said...

I need to get the book as I am quite the Dummy when it comes to fixing those little things that men find so easy to do :)

Sheila said...

Tim, I keep forgetting that we Americans aren't the only ones with hurricanes. Guess it's too cold in Norway right now to do caulking.

Jackie, thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. If we can get over the "I can't" we can. In a way, it's kind of fun to learn to do this sort of thing. Only problem is being under the gun timewise.