Caulking Windows: The #1 Way to Avoid Water Damage

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for window water leak services!

Creating a caulking routine will save time, money, and water damage disasters down the road.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta are here to help those living throughout the greater Atlanta area restore their homes or business after a disaster strikes, but did you know that we also want to help prevent disasters from occurring in the first place?

The following blog post will go over how caulking windows can prevent a water damage disaster from occurring. You will want to read to the end, where you will find out how frequently you should be applying caulking in your home or business.

What is caulk?

Caulk is a product made of either latex or rubber. It can be applied to openings around windows, doors, and anywhere else where insulation is desired. It creates a watertight seal that prevents water and air infiltration, which can have particularly serious consequences during Atlanta's colder months.

The main three reasons to caulk frequently

1. Caulking keeps water out

Caulking windows ensures that water stays outside of the window frame. The professionals at SERVPRO have had to mitigate gallons of water from a single small unsealed crack after a storm passed. The best way to avoid water damage from an unsealed window is to check the caulking once a month to ensure it is not cracking or damaged.

When a poorly sealed window or door goes unnoticed for quite some time, it will cause severe water damage and possible mold growth. However, when caulking is applied correctly, there are fewer chances that water will get in between the openings.

2. Prevent energy loss

We all want to save money on our energy bills. However, when caulking is neglected, the uncaulked cracks and allows air to pass through, causing air inside your residence or business to escape or enter. In addition, the caulked areas will not properly insulate, and regular heating and cooling costs will increase sharply.

A well-insulated property has proven to save property owners money on energy bills since caulking helps prevent the infiltration of external elements.

During a cold winter, a caulked window will feel significantly warmer versus one that is not caulked. Caulking will also help keep the air conditioning in during the summer months, making a more comfortable atmosphere inside your home or business.

3. Keeps unwanted guests out

Putting caulking around your exterior windows keeps out bugs that belong outside. The last thing we want is for you to have a water damage issue with bugs that have been attracted to the water inside your property!

How often should doors and windows be caulked?

Afresh application caulk should last about a year here in Atlanta. At the bare minimum, caulking windows every three years is recommended for homes and commercial buildings.

To be on the safe side, we recommend caulking once a year, but many people prefer caulking every three months during peak weather conditions. Keep in mind that it is better to be safe than sorry because caulking windows and doors will cost significantly less than water damage.

Wrapping up

We hope you enjoyed learning about the importance of applying caulking to your windows. The simple application of caulk has proven to prevent expensive water damage.

SERVPRO professionals are not solely water damage experts. For example, when you contact us for water damage caused by a window water leak, we will come in, clean up the damage and replace any windows that need replacing.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta are ready 24/7 when a disaster strikes your home or business. Our IICRC certified professionals know what to do and how to restore your property the right way. For more information on our services, please feel free to contact us at any time.