Caulking is a necessary part of several home renovation projects. Caulk is a very powerful adhesive material that is used to fill in gaps, seal cracks, and joints. Filling in windows with caulk helps to keep the air out and improves the energy efficiency in a house. Moreover, caulk also protects against moisture and is, therefore, very useful for use in the kitchen and bathrooms. Caulk is very easy to use especially in confined areas and small spaces. Caulk tape is an excellent alternative to traditional caulk and is super easy to use as well.
Flexible vinyl edge trim is made of a synthetic rubber that helps to withstand moisture and extreme temperatures. It is used to seal, cover, and protect bare edges from the effects of dust, wind, and water. Flexible vinyl edge trim can be used with materials such as plastic, wood, metal, and glass. Some of its applications include equipment cabinets, truck cabs, machine guards, and vehicle doors.
Here is a list of problems you can solve with caulk tape and flexible vinyl edge trim.
Table of Contents
Problem #1 – Water Seepage and Mold Growth in Bathrooms
Dry cracked caulk can allow water to trickle into spaces behind bathtubs, bathroom sinks, backsplash, tiles, drywall, etc. This seepage can potentially result in expensive water damage. In this case, caulking can help to create a waterproof seal around such spaces in your bathroom.
However, with time, traditional caulk can disintegrate which can potentially lead to water seepage and stimulate mold growth. Mold can be extremely harmful to your health, therefore you need to take special care in preventing its growth. The best way to do this is to waterproof such areas with black caulk tape.
Caulk tape will help seal all edges where water can seep into and prevent the growth of mold and fungus. Moreover, caulk tape is also extremely easy to apply, and easily do the job yourself. With caulk tape, you won’t have to worry about grime build-up that can make your bathroom look dirty.
Problem #2 – Cracks in Areas Where Your Walls Meet the Ceiling
In many houses, the place where the walls meet the ceiling is a very unappealing view. This can be due to a poorly done paint job that results in wall paint smears on the ceiling. It can even be due to large and noticeable cracks that can appear in the corners.
Peel and stick caulk strips or trimming solutions are a great tool to solve this problem. They can cover any noticeable cracks and conceal paint marks. Moreover, flexible trimming solutions are an excellent solution to hide messy paint lines on contrasting ceiling or wall edges. You can also use them in place of plaster, mud, or drywall to repair cracked wall corners. The best thing about this solution is that it’s not messy and doesn’t need any time to dry.
Problem #3 – Poor Energy Efficiency
Air leaks from your windows and doors can cost you a lot. According to the Energy Star Program, homeowners can save up to 20% of their cooling and heating costs by preventing air leaks. For instance, hot air can leak out of your home during the winter season, resulting in higher heating costs. Similarly, cool air can escape your home during the summer months, leading to increased cooling costs.
Moreover, air leaks can also cause moisture to seep inside the walls and ceilings. This can result in the growth of mold. Furthermore, seepage in the walls can even lead to structural damage. This is because if the framing is consistently wet, it will begin to rot. Replacing or redoing a rotten framing is not only time-consuming but also challenging and very expensive.
One of the quickest and easiest solutions to this problem is sealing large openings and cracks with caulk strips. If you are doing this job yourself, we recommend that you start off with sealing the largest openings first. If you notice that the air is leaking from the cooling or cooling ducts, we strongly advise you to get a contractor.
Problem #4 – Rodent Infestation
Rodent infestation is an extremely dangerous problem. The Center for Disease Control states that mice and rats can spread over 35 different types of diseases. Humans can contract these diseases by coming in direct contact with a rodent’s urine, feces, saliva, or bite. Moreover, rodents can also spread diseases to humans indirectly. This can be through flea, mites, or ticks that have fed on an infected mouse or rodent.
The best way to prevent rodent infestation and protect yourself from rodent-related diseases is to seal up. You can use peel and stick caulk strips to close any holes inside or outside your house that can allow rodents to enter. Remember, rodents are tiny enough to enter through holes that are the size of a nickel. Therefore, you need to secure all entry points carefully. Some potential entry holes or gaps within the house include:
- Near the fireplace
- Around doors
- Inside closets that are near the floor corners
- Near refrigerators, stoves, and kitchen cabinets
- Near pipes below the washing machine and sink
- Around pipes leading to furnaces and water heaters
- Near dryer and floor vents
- In the attic
- The intersection of the floor and wall
- In the basement
- Inside the laundry room and basement floor drains.
Some potential holes or gaps outside your house include:
- Near windows
- Near doors
- Near the foundation
- Inside roof gables, eaves, and rafters
- Crawl space vents
- Attic vents
- Underneath doors
- Around holes for plumbing pipes, electrical wires, gas lines, and other cables.
Make sure to check all these spaces thoroughly for any gaps and holes. If you do find any gap, seal it up with peel and stick caulk strips.
Parting Words
Peel and stick caulk strips work as excellent adhesives and can really help you solve the 4 problems outlined above. A great advantage of these strips is that you can use them on your own without any professional help. So, make sure that you keep a bunch in handy and use it whenever it’s needed.