Where To Caulk Log Siding Homes

We spend a lot of money and effort building nice homes, and we should take the necessary steps to keep their exteriors in good condition. Common efforts to achieve this goal include:

• Seal the corners from moisture
• Seal around windows and doors
• Seal around butt joints and crevices
• Add preservatives to wood siding
• Maintain exterior over time as necessary
• Replace caulking as necessary

Caulking is one of the most significant ways to accomplish the items on the above list. It seals open places that must be closed. Use the best product you can afford for your climate and rest easier.

Why Caulk Log Siding Homes

Caulking is a substance designed to seal joints between two surfaces. It can also be used to fill small holes in surfaces exposed to the elements. The right type of caulking can withstand harsh weather conditions even where extreme temperature changes occur. When sealing joints or holes of difference materials, make sure it complies with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Caulking log siding cabins and log siding homes is essential to their preservation, structural integrity, beauty, and keeping out moisture and insects. Expandable caulking can shrink and stretch with the weather and loosening of joints. Paintable caulking helps in these ways:

• Makes the work easier
• Helps stains and sealants look better
• Helps stains and sealants last longer

If you see any caulking cracking or breaking loose, repair it right away. Repairs are easily made with the right tools.

Caulk Log Siding Homes: Corners

Exterior corners are comprised of many joints that need sealing with caulking. If the log siding is not installed snugly, such as some pieces are cut too short, gaps are created. Moisture and insects can enter these points and do their damage.

Corners catch the weather from several directions and must be installed and sealed correctly. Sealing the joints is important whether you use butt-n-pass, saddle notch, or vertical styles.

“We spend the money and effort building nice homes, and we should take the necessary steps to keep their exteriors in good condition.”

Caulk Around Windows and Doors

Windows and doors provide many places for unwanted issues when not properly installed and caulked. Moisture, dust, airflow, and insects can take their toll when allowed to enter the walls.

Log trim is installed after the corner system is put into place, followed by the log siding. It is

placed around windows and doors as a straight pine board that makes caulking an easy job. Use an adequate amount to complete the seal and let it dry. You may also want to caulk around the threshold under all exterior doors.

Caulk Log Siding Homes: Butt Joints and Crevices

Butt-joints are present in numerous places around a house. Some of the most common areas are where log siding meets doors, windows, corners, foundations, and soffits. Seal them tightly just like all the other places that need it. Crevices, cracks, and gaps anywhere else need caulking to protect them.

Seal Pipes and Cables That Go Into the House

Today’s log homeowners may want all the latest conveniences that require drilling holes in walls. We want them for many reasons, and they all need to be sealed up around:

• Plumbing pipes
• Natural gas pipes
• Cables
• Wiring
• Ductwork
• Vents

There may be other places you may commonly overlook that are not on this list. They all need caulking for the same reasons we have already discussed. Be smart and do not overlook these areas on the outside and inside walls.

What Not to Caulk

Some areas should not be caulked such as the bottom of log siding boards and where tongue and groove boards fit together. Water should be allowed to exit through the bottom of each piece of exterior siding. Caulking these areas can block water from draining and can cause permanent damage. Other places that should not be caulked include:

• Garage door panels are designed to move and should not be caulked. If you do, the caulking will fail prematurely.
• Heads of siding nails need no caulking because the nails will push out the caulking material within a few months.
• Window weep holes are designed to let water drain out of windows and should never be sealed up.
• Wood-to-metal joints can let water escape and should not be caulked to stop it.

Caulking in the right places with the right type of material can be a lifesaver for your log siding home. Learn more about using a caulking gun from this video. Contact your supplier or the manufacturer if you are not sure which product to buy.