Historical Uses
– Traditional caulking on wooden vessels used fibers of cotton and oakum soaked in pine tar.
– Caulking mallet and caulking iron were used to drive the fibers into the seams between planks.
– Caulking was covered with putty or melted pine pitch.
– Caulking was a specialist skill mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.
– Caulking was also used in iron and steel shipbuilding and boilermaking.
Modern Use in Construction
– Caulk is distributed in disposable cartridges for bulk use.
– Caulking guns with trigger and plunger are used for application.
– Squeeze tubes are used for smaller applications.
– Backer rod is used behind caulking to increase elasticity and create a better bond.
– Closed-cell foam and open-cell foam are types of backer rod with different properties.
Energy Efficiency
– Sealing leaks around homes cuts energy costs and decreases the household carbon footprint.
– Sealing cracks and crevices lessens strain on home appliances.
– Increasing the lifetime of homes and appliances reduces waste and pollution.
– Consumer Federation of America recommends sealing unwanted leaks for energy efficiency.
– Sealing cracks and crevices prevents ingress by rodents.
Types of Caulk
– Acrylic latex caulk is the most common type for general-purpose use.
– Acrylic tile sealant is commonly used for wet applications.
– Polyurethane caulk is durable and professional grade.
– Silicone caulk or sealant is water-, mold-, and mildew-resistant.
– Silicone-based joint materials are considered sealants rather than caulk.
References
– Merriam-Webster defines caulk as a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage.
– Walter S. Hutton’s book ‘Steam-Boiler Construction’ mentions caulking in iron and steel shipbuilding.
– The prophet Ezekiel refers to caulking of ships in the Hebrew Bible.
– The CDC recommends sealing up cracks and crevices to prevent pest infestation.
– Various sources provide information on choosing the right caulk or sealant for different projects. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulk
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2015) |
Caulk or, less frequently, caulking is a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structures and piping.
The oldest form of caulk consisted of fibrous materials driven into the wedge-shaped seams between boards on wooden boats or ships. Cast iron sewerage pipe were formerly caulked in a similar way. Riveted seams in ships and boilers were formerly sealed by hammering the metal.
Modern caulking compounds are flexible sealing compounds used to close up gaps in buildings and other structures against water, air, dust, insects, or as a component in firestopping. In the tunnelling industry, caulking is the sealing of joints in segmental precast concrete tunnels, commonly by using concrete.
