Caulk The Siding Behind The J

And many homeowners over caulk applying caulk where it doesn t belong and potentially compromising the performance of their siding.

Caulk the siding behind the j.

A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months. Caulking can be placed behind the j channel during installation sealing the seam between the j channel and the house wrap also sealing the seam between the j channel and the window itself. I have had to do quite a few repairs due to this and it is even worse when caulk was applied to j channel applied to a dormer along a roof. When searching for the right kind of caulk for your exterior siding quality is obviously important as with any home improvement project cheaper does not always mean better.

Wherever hardie siding meets a trim board the company recommends you leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim and apply a 3 8 bead of approved caulking to protect and seal the edge of the siding. Yeah i was just worried about if it rains from a certain angle it s going to you know wick down through that gap and then run behind the siding. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look. Caulk is by necessity a sticky gooey substance and as such it smudges easily.

Many vinyl siding installers do not realize the importance of the house wrap and its job as the sole water barrier because many people incorrectly. Caulking this area the j channel can actually cause water to build up and cause leaks behind the siding. Caulking your home s siding is a simple process but not necessarily a foolproof one. The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked.

Another item that needs room to play is siding boards themselves. And you generally don t have to caulk between the back of the j channel and the side of the window.