Caulking and weatherstripping: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What caulking and weatherstripping is

Caulking and weatherstripping seal gaps around windows, doors, trim, tubs and siding, and replace worn weatherstripping. The work cuts drafts, moisture and pests, and it protects the framing from water. People call when they feel a draft at a window, see mold around a tub, or notice a gap that lets in insects.

Signs you need it

  • You feel a draft at a window, door or outlet on a windy day
  • Caulk around a tub, shower or sink has cracked, pulled away or turned black
  • Weatherstripping on a door is flattened, torn or no longer touches the frame
  • Gaps around exterior trim or siding let in water, insects or daylight
  • Paint or stain is peeling at a joint where water has got behind the trim
  • Your heating or cooling runs more than it should, and the windows or doors are the likely cause

What the pro does

  • Find the gaps and drafts with a careful visual check, and test the seal at the windows and doors
  • Remove failed caulk and old weatherstripping, and clean the joints of dust, mold and residue
  • Choose the sealant for the joint, such as an exterior caulk, a silicone for wet areas or a foam backer
  • Apply the caulk in a continuous bead, tool it smooth and let it cure as the product directs
  • Install new weatherstripping on the door or window, adjusting it so it compresses evenly without binding
  • Test each seal with a draft check, and confirm the tub and shower joints hold water without leaking

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of joints, windows, doors and the length of trim or siding to seal
  • Whether old caulk or weatherstripping must be fully removed
  • Type of sealant needed for the joint, such as silicone, polyurethane or foam backer
  • Height and access to exterior trim and upper windows
  • Whether mold or rot must be treated before sealing
  • Whether the weatherstripping is replaced on one door or several

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each joint or opening to be sealed, listed by location
  • The sealant type and the weatherstripping profile used
  • Whether old caulk and failed weatherstripping are removed
  • Whether mold or rot repair is included, or must be done first
  • Warranty on the sealing work, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you remove all the old caulk before you apply the new bead?
  • Which sealant do you use for the tub and shower, and why?
  • Do you replace the weatherstripping on the door, or only adjust it?
  • Will you check the joints for mold or rot before sealing?
  • Do you test the seal with a draft check or a water test?
  • How long before the caulk can be painted or exposed to water?
  • Does the warranty cover the sealant if it cracks or peels?

Red flags

  • New caulk applied over old, cracked caulk without removing it
  • Caulk used in a joint that moves, such as a tub edge, with a sealant that cannot flex
  • Mold sealed over instead of being cleaned or treated
  • Weatherstripping installed with gaps where the door still lets air through
  • A quote that does not name the sealant type

What you can do yourself

You can do most caulking and weatherstripping yourself by removing old caulk, cleaning the joint and applying a new bead. Do not seal over water damage, mold in the framing or a joint where water comes from behind the wall. Call a pro for rot, mold or water intrusion behind the sealed areas.

Licenses and permits

Caulking and weatherstripping is generally not licensed as a trade. Some areas require a contractor registration for paid exterior work, and mold or water damage repair may need a licensed trade.

Caulking and weatherstripping questions

How long does caulk last?

It depends on the sealant and the joint. Joints that move, such as tub edges, wear out sooner. Look at the caulk each year and reseal anything that is cracked or peeling.

Should I seal around the outside of a window?

Yes, when the seal is failing. Remove the failed caulk, let the joint dry and use an exterior sealant that fits the material around the window.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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