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How to Create a Proper Caulk Joint on a Log Home.

Believe it or not, caulking is more than just squeezing goop in and smearing a finger over it. Proper joint design matters! Not only will the finished job look neater, the caulking will perform better when applied correctly.
So, what is proper joint design?
The diagram below shows the ideal type of joint design for all sealants. This hourglass shaped, two-points-of-adhesion design allows for maximum sealant movement and favors cohesive failure (the best kind) if the movement is so extreme that failure cannot be avoided.
Some other tips:

Ā Steps to Proper Joint Design

  1. A stained surface: Caulking and chinking actually adhere better to a stained surface than bare wood, so stain with a compatible stain first. If you arenā€™t sure if your product is compatible, contact us first.
  2. A clean surface: If your surface is already stained, make sure itā€™s clean, too. Remove all dirt, dust, oils, old caulking, peeling stain, bird poo, pollen, etc. etc. If caulk is applied over any of these things, it wonā€™t stick properly.
  3. Insert a bond breaker: Caulk works like a rubber band. It stretches really well when pulled from just 2 sides. Pull from 3 and it wonā€™t go as far and will break more quickly. A bond breaker, in the form of backer rod or clear packing tape, ensures you have just two points of adhesion – on the sides of the joint. You donā€™t want the caulk to stick to the backside of the joint.
  4. Tool to an hourglass shape: Round backer rod helps you accomplish this pretty easily. The caulk should be slightly (yes, only slightly) thinner at the center where it needs to stretch, slightly thicker and wider at the edges for good adhesion.
  • TIP: Donā€™t wipe off more than you put on! A light touch with a slightly damp foam brush or a trowel will do the trick. You donā€™t want to starve the joint of caulk, either.Ā 
Letā€™s face it: caulking and chinking is tedious. Follow the steps above to enjoy long-lasting caulking and chinking jobs and avoid having to repeat the tedium in another year.