i’m outside caulking around things like the gas line entry and sump pump exit in an effort to seal up some air infiltration that i keep reading is an area to help save some money and make hvac better. and i was noticing a decent sized gap (about 1/2″) at the base of the fascia board between it and the concrete foundation. it would seam that air is likely getting through this gap and up through the wall so i was thinking about filling it with say backer rod and sealant but then i was wondering if that would block moister in any way and create other problems by not letting moister out. i was also then thinking about caulking the gap between the drip edge piece and the first piece of siding as well?
the wall is 1×8 cedar fascia then drip edge then siding over
thanks for any help
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Picts would rally help as I don't quite understand your post. thanks.
Fascia is part of the roof. Perhaps you mean some sort of skirt board? A picture would be nice, if you can.
In most houses, the basement is part of a negative pressure zone, and it's unlikely that a gap around the perimeter would let any moisture "escape"
And sealing it will, to some small degree, reduce the stack effect which significantly contributes to heat lose.
Remember Mary Dyer, a Christian Martyr (Thank you, Puritans)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Dyer
May your whole life become a response to the truth that you've always been loved, you are loved and you always will be loved" Rob Bell, Nooma, "Bullhorn"
Be careful sealing up the bottom of the siding.
Water can get behind siding at windows and doors, etc and if you seal the bottom, there is no way out.
What is behind the siding? Felt paper?
I would suggest sealing from basement some of the gaps around the sill plate which could help.
Re. the drip edge, I would not seal above the drip edge as that allows the water out. You could seal under it but I dont think I would. I would rather have a little air movement in the exterior wall to help dry what water does get in from the penetration I missed or from the rogue leaky nail or whatever might cause a little infiltration.
Thats my 2 Cents
good though, for taking the time to seal up. Very responsible and great initiative!!
Some good advice. That trim your are talking about is also called a water-table. Don't caulk above the flashing. If water gets behind your siding, it can't leave via the flashing. Caulking below it may prove difficult, but is not necessarily a bad idea. Caulking below the water-table isn't a bad idea either. Not only will it save you a little bit of $$, but it will keep rain, and probably more importantly, critters out of your house. I've had some people tell me that sealing up your house that tight is a bad idea because of fresh air exchange, and there is some truth to that, but you can always open a window and sealing out water is of the highest priority.
I recommend buying the best caulking you can afford. If you plan on painting the exterior immediately, you might be able to get away with the cheaper stuff, but otherwise, polyurethane sealant is the best. Trust me on this one, I've tried them all. The polyurethane is just about the only caulk that I haven't had to rip out and replace. It's good stuff.