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stucco caulk | SUGAR LAND TX
The famous saying is "talk is cheap". We like to say "caulk is cheap". One might as well do it right the first time and avoid bigger problems down the line. When compared to the amount of money spent on rebuilding after water damage, caulk is the ounce of prevention that beats the pound of medicine. This is the glue that holds a structure together when it comes to avoiding water damage. The most basic repair and maintenance is to upkeep all joint sealants and correct any deficient caulk installations.
There are many common mistakes done in this crucial step: (1) The initial installer did not clean the groove and the joint sealant fails to adhere (2) The line (or bead) of compound is too thin and has cracked with the movement of the structure (3) the wrong type or an inferior product has been used and it has not stood the test of time (4) the sealant used is of the wrong application and has failed to adhere correctly (5) the caulk was applied under wet conditions and fails to adhere. Give us a call if you see any of these situations in your home or business 713-903-2344. All of these things can cause water damage by letting water in. 
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Many caulks on the market today are great products. However, they may not be correct for your application. Most interior of homes use an acrylic type with a 25yr to 30yr rated life. We would not recommend its use on the exterior of your home, yet we are witnesses to jobsite after jobsite of crews using the same product inside and outside.
On most of our caulk installations we use 55yr elastomeric joint seal compound of a reputable brand. This is a water based material that is more resistant to wear and maintains elasticity longer even with exposure to the sun. Cheap ones will lose their plasticity, in essence dry out completely, and crack under stress, no pun intended. As the sun shines down on caulk relentlessly, it is common for it to become brittle and break more easily. For this reason, regular checkups of all joints are recommended. Give us a call to schedule yours 713-903-2344.
On most of our caulk installations we use 55yr elastomeric joint seal compound of a reputable brand. This is a water based material that is more resistant to wear and maintains elasticity longer even with exposure to the sun. Cheap ones will lose their plasticity, in essence dry out completely, and crack under stress, no pun intended. As the sun shines down on caulk relentlessly, it is common for it to become brittle and break more easily. For this reason, regular checkups of all joints are recommended. Give us a call to schedule yours 713-903-2344.
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As a side note, caulks rarely last even half of the rated life throughout the whole of the section it's placed on. While a few lines or beads may last forever, the home is a dynamic structure and there will always be places where the conditions have caused a tear or discontinuation of the joint seal. Though the rating mentions all those years, most companies are not held to these standards because there are too many variables when applying sealants. While the products are great, the most important factor is the person applying it. Our team will make sure the joint is apt for application of a sealant before placing it. They will make sure that you are able to count on that bead of caulk protecting your house for years to come.
In new construction and after substantial repairs, we recommend a poly-urethane caulk that is solvent-based for added protection especially around windows. This product provides greater range of motion (around +- 35% ) and is less likely to break under extensive movement of structure. We are regularly requested by customers to re-caulk their entire exterior with this superior product where necessary. Often, the inspection company will be the one to recommend these products and we are able to install these for you. Any solvent-based products have more involved procedures for application, less margin of error and are in general tougher to work with. However, our team has the necessary experience to make this kind of work look like a regular day on the job.
In new construction and after substantial repairs, we recommend a poly-urethane caulk that is solvent-based for added protection especially around windows. This product provides greater range of motion (around +- 35% ) and is less likely to break under extensive movement of structure. We are regularly requested by customers to re-caulk their entire exterior with this superior product where necessary. Often, the inspection company will be the one to recommend these products and we are able to install these for you. Any solvent-based products have more involved procedures for application, less margin of error and are in general tougher to work with. However, our team has the necessary experience to make this kind of work look like a regular day on the job.