Caulking


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Old 10-04-19, 09:45 AM
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Caulking

Hey guys. Never caulked windows before and was looking at these windows at my new house and was curious. They looked caulked around the window but the capping isn't. Should I caulk around the capping?

If so I figure I should get around to it before winter comes. I attached a photo.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ku5jbk91b3k5n9p/IMG_20191004_122228.jpg?dl=0


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Old 10-04-19, 10:31 AM
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Around the edges to the brick, I would!
 
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Old 10-04-19, 10:41 AM
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The problem with caulking the aluminum to the brick is it can be difficult to get a neat job. I don't see anything wrong with leaving it uncaulked. The window is likely sealed under the flashing and it's not likely enough water will get behind the metal to be an issue.
 
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Old 10-07-19, 11:34 AM
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So I spoke to a window contractor I used on my last two homes. He said don't touch it. He said likely it was caulked under the flashing and then pressed down. Told me to stick a thin knife underneath to see and sure enough it does look like it.

He doesn't do his windows like that but said it's not an uncommon way of doing it
 
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Old 10-08-19, 05:02 AM
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The problem with caulking the aluminum to the brick is it can be difficult to get a neat job
It's a personal preference, but I find any gaps on the exterior of a house are magnets for bugs and crud to collect so I keep everything sealed.

For something like that, a row of tape on either side, caulk and smooth then remove tape = nice clean caulked joint!
 
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Old 10-08-19, 05:18 AM
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It can be difficult to both get tape to stick to the brick and place it in/out of the mortar joints.
A less than perfect caulk job will look bad and unpainted caulking is prone to attract dirt. IMO it's best to leave it as it is.
 
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Old 10-08-19, 05:45 AM
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Yeah I'm going to leave it. My major concern was moisture and air. Given that it appears to be caulked underneath I'm good.

Thanks for the responses
 
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Old 10-08-19, 06:21 AM
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Yep, that's why they put that extra bend on the trim coil. I don't do it that way either, but some do. The extra bend also keeps most water out. Some gets in but when left open like that it can always dry out.
 
 

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