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- Caulking, Chinking,
and Sealing
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Can I stain before
caulking or chinking?
When applying
Log
Builder caulk or
Log
Jam chink and using a water based stain, it may be applied before of
after staining. If using
Weatherseal,
Woodguard, or
WR-5:
1. Apply over one coat, and then apply a second coat the following
year.
2. Wait at least 21 days after staining before caulking or chinking
to allow for cure time. (Paraffinic oils can cause adhesion failures.)
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- Do I need backer rod?
Yes, if chink joints are greater than 1/4". See
Backer Rod and
Chinking
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- How much caulk or
chinking do I need?
Click Here
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- What does the
temperature need to be to apply caulk or chinking?
See “Surface Preparation”.
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- What can I use to
smooth out my caulking or chinking?
People use various kinds of “tooling” devices. The most popular would
probably be a spatula of some sort at the desired width. Some people use a
cake spatula if an industrial one is not available. Butter knives,
fingers, and
foam brushes have also been used. The foam brush, kept damp, works
well for Log Jam chinking.
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- I have flat on flat
logs, what do I put between them?
There are a few alternatives to put in between logs that are a flat on
flat system.
1. The first is to lay a bead of adhesive “caulk” on each side of
the log that is especially made for this purpose called
Stacker.
2. Another alternative is
Ethafoam,
a 1/4" thick, flat foam that would be laid down the center of the log
leaving a bit of space to the edge of the log.
Ethafoam
comes in two different widths; 4" and 6", both by 1/4" thick. After
applying, a caulking designed for log homes would need to be applied to
the exterior and interior seams.
3. The last alternative is a product called
Log Seal, which is a
closed cell, dark brown foam gasket that is 3/8" thick by 3/8", 1/2", or
3/4" wide. Some of the features of Log Seal are sealing against water,
cold heat, light and noise. Log Seal has adhesive on one side with an
easy-release protective liner, providing fast and easy placement during
construction. Log Seal provides easy application for flat on flat and
saddle notch systems. When using for flat on flat construction, lay one
line of Log Seal on outer edge and one line on inner edge.
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- Do I need to caulk
after using Log Seal or Ethafoam?
Yes. It is always important to seal the exterior side with caulk or
chinking to keep moisture (in the form of rain or spalsh-back) out from
the log joints. The caulking also helps to keep insects from working their
way in.
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- Should I buy a 5-gallon
pail or tubes?
Economically, it is better to buy a 5-gallon pail; however you don't
start saving money until you purchase (3) 5-gal. pails because of the cost
for tools for pail application. There are 21-30 oz. tubes in a 5-gallon
pail. It will also depend on what the applicator feels comfortable with:
caulking tubes or a bulk loading gun.
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- If I buy a 5-gallon
pail, how do I get it into my caulk gun?
- By using a
Follow Plate.
How do I clean and take care of my Albion bulk loading gun?
See
"Care of
Albion Bulk Loading Guns".
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