Caulk Removal Q&A
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Dear NH,
The windows in my bedroom are sealed shut with a clear rubbery caulk-like
substance. I think the mysterious substance may be a silicone based product but
I am not sure. Is their any way to remove this substance so that I can open my
window? I have been scraping at it with a screw driver and utility knife but it
is very tedious and I don't think I can get it all out from between the cracks.
I am also worried about damaging the wood along the
window and windowsill.
DA
DA,
Sounds like the weather-stripper from hell visited your home! I address these
issues somewhat in my caulking articles at the website though they refer
primarily to bathrooms.
Use a single-edged razor blade at a very low angle in conjunction with heat
from a heat gun or hair dryer to separate the caulk from the wood. Heat may help
to soften and loosen the caulk making removal easier and with less damage to the
underlying wood. Be careful not to overheat the surface… you don't want to strip
the finish! Once you get a hunk of caulk started, you might be able to pull an
entire strip off… depending on the thickness of the bead. Thicker beads tend to
pull off more easily. Sometimes, a pair of pliers can be used to pull a strip of
caulk free, though this trick seems to work best with silicone caulk.
Paint remover will also soften most caulks (except silicone), but it can be a
messy and dangerous job... plus it is guaranteed to remove the finish on the
trim! Liquid Nails markets an adhesive
and caulk remover that is somewhat less aggressive than paint remover, but you
nevertheless must be cautious and test it on an inconspicuous area of the finish
to see if it causes any damage.
If it is silicone caulk, though, you may have a more difficult problem
because silicone caulk is not paintable or stainable. Every last bit will have
to be removed before you can do any finishing. Even GE Silicone admits that
there is no chemical means to remove their product... mechanical scraping is the
only way. If you need to repaint, sand the surface first and then apply Kilz
primer to get the best adhesion to the finish coat.
If you decide next year that the former owner was right about those windows
and you need a better seal, there are a few products on the market that can be
used to stop much of the leakage. The first is a flexible, putty-like caulk that
is available in rolls. It sticks quite well and works both inside or outside.
More importantly, it removes easily from most painted or stained surfaces and
can be saved and reused over and over again!
There are also easy-release clear plastic tapes that perform the same
function. The adhesive is designed to be removable. Sometimes, though, they
don't remove as easily as advertised so I would use them only if aesthetics
dictate.
Nail-on permanent weather-strip kits are another option. Designed to work
with windows, they provide a year-round solution to window sealing. Though some
folks try to use self-adhesive foam strips to perform the same function, they
generally gives poor results compared with any of the other options mentioned.
The biggest negative is that their permanent adhesive is a bear to get off when
the foam inevitably fails!
NH
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