I have read books that disagree on whether to caulk the joint where horizontal siding abuts the corner boards on house exteriors. The cons say that the caulk will eventually fail in spots and allow water in and possibly trap it. I know that a lot of you have been involved in construction for years and I would appreciate your opinions.
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What kind of siding? What kind of corner boards?
How exposed is the joint to direct weather? Does rain actually strike the building? How much does the roof overhang the walls? One story or two?
Cedar clapboards. Corner boards were originally pine but I'm in the process of replacing with AZEK. 2 story colonial. Front and back have overhangs of about a foot or so. The ends of the house have no overhangs.
The reason I'm asking the question is because while in the process of replacing the corner boards (rot) I've found some of the felt that was under corner board and siding joint torn or missing. I've been told that I should pry up the siding and slide new felt under there so that the joint between the siding and new corner board will be covered. I didn't want to disturb the siding and the thought of having to do it all the way up a 2 story wall didn't seem like a lot of fun. I may be asking for trouble over the long run but I'm hoping that I will get answers back saying that caulk has worked out as that is what I am doing.
>>"The cons say that the caulk will eventually fail in spots and allow water in and possibly trap it. "
Makes me wonder.......
What do those folks say when there was never any caulk present in the first place?
I mean, how would it be made worse by applying caulk?
I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)
Hmmm, there seems to be a theory out there that one should caulk the head flashing over a window to the siding. This point of view fails to take into account what that flashing is actually there to accomplish.
But, to agree with you, I gotta say it is not the same situation for corner boards. That's a vertical joint. No trapped water is gonna come out through it if it isn't caulked, (it'll drain down to the bottom), but I can see a lot of wind-driven rain getting in.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
They probably said have the felt span the joint and let the water run down and out. Caulk will keep the water out but if and when it fails any water that does get in will have a harder time running down and out. The caulk manufacturers said caulk the joint. The builders said when the caulk fails water might get trapped. The caulk manufaturers said we'll sell you more caulk and when that fails and there is rot you get to fix it and recaulk it. Everybody wins except the homeowner.
Caulk and paint will create a nice waterproof skin...if done properly.
Caulk and paint need to be maintained.
It will take you about one hour a year to inspect and fix any small problems with your caulk.
Caulk it and maintain the caulk.
Thank You,
I had caulked all those joints years ago and have had the house painted numerous times (we're in New England not too far from the coast) to protect the joints. Your advice indicates that I shouldn't worry about the felt if I caulk and maintain.....I like it.
P.S. I used the Japanese cat's paw, didn't fall off the ladder, my wife still thinks I know what I'm doing and can doing anything, and I hurt a lot for a couple of days.
The key to a good caulk job is size. If the bead is too small, it won't stretch. It will crack. Most of the purists here abhor caulk if it is put on in any noticeable size. They view that as poor housebuilding when in fact, the opposite is true. Read and follow the directions. Use the proper caulk. My preference is to paint first, then "weld" the two paint skins with a good exterior caulk. I like OSI products but there are many good one if applied correctly.
Is OSI a brand? I've been using Excel 230. I originally used 100 % Silicone. Wouldn't take paint but it's still flexible and holding on for dear life to this day.
OSI is a brand.
Sold where vinyl siding is sold. comes in lots of colors!
OSI's polyurethane caulk is named Quad. Good stuff, BTW.View Image