Log Caulking Questions And Answers
HomeHelpful InfoChinking & Caulking FAQ's
Should I chink or stain my log home first?It is best to apply a stain that is compatible with the chinking first. The stain acts as a primer for the chinking and normally improves the overall adhesion of the log chinking material. Additionally, it makes the clean up process for the chinking material much easier.
What makes Triple Stretch chinking better than other chinking materials?Triple Stretch chinking has a higher viscosity making it easier to tool for a clean, crisp edge, faster drying, and more penetration resistant while still providing the necessary adhesion and elasticity. View our Chinking Comparison Chart for more details.
How do I figure out how much chinking/caulking material I need?Usage depends on the width of the joint and the thickness of application. Let our Chinking Estimator or Caulking Estimator help assist you with your quantity details.
How thick should the chinking/caulking be applied?We recommend application to be approximately a ¼” thick. Do not exceed ¼” as additional thickness will start to impede elasticity.What is the difference between chinking and caulking materials?Chinking is an elastic sealing material that has a coarse surface which is designed to look like old-fashioned mortar and is typically used on larger joints. Caulking is a highly elastic sealing material that has no surface texture and is mainly used in smaller joints.
How do I apply the chinking/caulking?Chinking can be applied using a bulk loading gun, prepackaged tubes or commerical pump. Once it has been applied to the joint, it should be tooled into the joint using a margin trowel or regular spatula with a 50/50 water/isopropyl alcohol mix sprayed on the trowels/spatulas as a release agent.
Do I have to use a backer-rod?It is recommended to install backer rod prior to Triple Stretch chinking as to allow for maximum product elasticity and performance.How should I clean my surface prior to chinking/caulking?The surfaces to be chinked must be clean, dry (below 25% surface moisture content) and free from parafins, waxes, nondrying oils, lose or aged wood fibers, and other contaminants. Are there temperature restrictions for applying any of the Weatherall chinking or caulking products?All Weatherall Company, Inc. products are waterborne acrylics and cannot be applied during freezing temperatures or when freezing temperatures are expected before the material has completely cured. If application during freezing temperatures is unavoidable, the structure must be tented and heated until the material is completely dry. It is also recommended that the material not be applied when temperatures exceed 90° F. Will rain, snow, or other inclement weather affect the product application?Do not attempt to apply the products if rain or other inclement weather is imminent unless tenting and heating is provided as specified in the question above. If the logs are exposed to moisture, allow several days to dry. Check the moisture content a minimum of one inch into the wood with a lignometer (moisture meter) and confirm a reading below 25%. This is especially important in areas with high humidity. Check the product specification sheets for appropriate cure times. How long will the chinking or caulking last?When properly applied, our chinking and caulking materials should last the lifetime of the structure which is why ALL Weatherall chinking and caulking products come with a lifetime limited warranty.
Can chinking or caulking be applied over wood that has been previously treated with an oil or solvent based stain?It depends on how long the stain has been on the logs and how the stain has weathered. Also, it depends on the type of oil stain and what ingredients are in the stain. We recommend that you test the chinking or caulking over an area that has been protected from the weather, such as under eaves. Allow 2 to 3 days for the chinking or caulking to cure. Then see if you can pull the chinking or caulking off of the stained surface.Do you offer custom colors and what are the conditions?Yes. There is a one time custom color fee of $250 and the process normally takes 10-15 working days from the time the color has been approved. Call us for minimum quantity requirements. Can I apply Triple Stretch chinking over an existing cementitious chinking?Ideally the cementitious chinking should be removed and replaced with one of our backer rod which will greatly improve the energy efficiency of the joint and provide the optimum joint design. However, if the cementitious chinking is in sound condition and free from any cracks or loose or crumbly surface conditions, Triple Stretch chinking can be applied over it as a seal coat. Recognize that our chinking will adhere to both the cementitious chinking and the wood at both edges thus eliminating any possibility for the chinking to stretch.
How do I protect the joints between the logs or wood siding and the masonry accents or fireplaces?UV GUARD® Mortar Match is the best choice for a non-structural finish over new or existing mortar joints. It is an excellent restoration/repair product for previously applied mortar. Its elasticity is ideal for sealing over cracked and deteriorated mortar joints, eliminating air and water infiltration.
Does your UV GUARD Premium Caulk or UV GUARD Textured Caulk match all of your stain colors?Generally yes. Our caulk colors are intended to blend with our stain colors. However, since the actual finished stain color is so dependent on the color of the wood it is applied to, the caulk color may not be an exact match. We recommend that you use the color chart on our brochure or a sample tube to check the actual color match on your finished stained logs or log sample.
Log Caulking Questions And Answers
HomeHelpful InfoChinking & Caulking FAQ's
Should I chink or stain my log home first?It is best to apply a stain that is compatible with the chinking first. The stain acts as a primer for the chinking and normally improves the overall adhesion of the log chinking material. Additionally, it makes the clean up process for the chinking material much easier.
What makes Triple Stretch chinking better than other chinking materials?Triple Stretch chinking has a higher viscosity making it easier to tool for a clean, crisp edge, faster drying, and more penetration resistant while still providing the necessary adhesion and elasticity. View our Chinking Comparison Chart for more details.
How do I figure out how much chinking/caulking material I need?Usage depends on the width of the joint and the thickness of application. Let our Chinking Estimator or Caulking Estimator help assist you with your quantity details.
How thick should the chinking/caulking be applied?We recommend application to be approximately a ¼” thick. Do not exceed ¼” as additional thickness will start to impede elasticity.What is the difference between chinking and caulking materials?Chinking is an elastic sealing material that has a coarse surface which is designed to look like old-fashioned mortar and is typically used on larger joints. Caulking is a highly elastic sealing material that has no surface texture and is mainly used in smaller joints.
How do I apply the chinking/caulking?Chinking can be applied using a bulk loading gun, prepackaged tubes or commerical pump. Once it has been applied to the joint, it should be tooled into the joint using a margin trowel or regular spatula with a 50/50 water/isopropyl alcohol mix sprayed on the trowels/spatulas as a release agent.
Do I have to use a backer-rod?It is recommended to install backer rod prior to Triple Stretch chinking as to allow for maximum product elasticity and performance.How should I clean my surface prior to chinking/caulking?The surfaces to be chinked must be clean, dry (below 25% surface moisture content) and free from parafins, waxes, nondrying oils, lose or aged wood fibers, and other contaminants. Are there temperature restrictions for applying any of the Weatherall chinking or caulking products?All Weatherall Company, Inc. products are waterborne acrylics and cannot be applied during freezing temperatures or when freezing temperatures are expected before the material has completely cured. If application during freezing temperatures is unavoidable, the structure must be tented and heated until the material is completely dry. It is also recommended that the material not be applied when temperatures exceed 90° F. Will rain, snow, or other inclement weather affect the product application?Do not attempt to apply the products if rain or other inclement weather is imminent unless tenting a
nd heating is provided as specified in the question above. If the logs are exposed to moisture, allow several days to dry. Check the moisture content a minimum of one inch into the wood with a lignometer (moisture meter) and confirm a reading below 25%. This is especially important in areas with high humidity. Check the product specification sheets for appropriate cure times. How long will the chinking or caulking last?When properly applied, our chinking and caulking materials should last the lifetime of the structure which is why ALL Weatherall chinking and caulking products come with a lifetime limited warranty.
Can chinking or caulking be applied over wood that has been previously treated with an oil or solvent based stain?It depends on how long the stain has been on the logs and how the stain has weathered. Also, it depends on the type of oil stain and what ingredients are in the stain. We recommend that you test the chinking or caulking over an area that has been protected from the weather, such as under eaves. Allow 2 to 3 days for the chinking or caulking to cure. Then see if you can pull the chinking or caulking off of the stained surface.Do you offer custom colors and what are the conditions?Yes. There is a one time custom color fee of $250 and the process normally takes 10-15 working days from the time the color has been approved. Call us for minimum quantity requirements. Can I apply Triple Stretch chinking over an existing cementitious chinking?Ideally the cementitious chinking should be removed and replaced with one of our backer rod which will greatly improve the energy efficiency of the joint and provide the optimum joint design. However, if the cementitious chinking is in sound condition and free from any cracks or loose or crumbly surface conditions, Triple Stretch chinking can be applied over it as a seal coat. Recognize that our chinking will adhere to both the cementitious chinking and the wood at both edges thus eliminating any possibility for the chinking to stretch.
How do I protect the joints between the logs or wood siding and the masonry accents or fireplaces?UV GUARD® Mortar Match is the best choice for a non-structural finish over new or existing mortar joints. It is an excellent restoration/repair product for previously applied mortar. Its elasticity is ideal for sealing over cracked and deteriorated mortar joints, eliminating air and water infiltration.
Does your UV GUARD Premium Caulk or UV GUARD Textured Caulk match all of your stain colors?Generally yes. Our caulk colors are intended to blend with our stain colors. However, since the actual finished stain color is so dependent on the color of the wood it is applied to, the caulk color may not be an exact match. We recommend that you use the color chart on our brochure or a sample tube to check the actual color match on your finished stained logs or log sample.