What Needs Caulking in a House?

Bathroom

• Caulk in the bathroom prevents water from seeping into tiny crevices from which it cannot escape. By caulking around your tub or shower stall you can ensure that these fixtures remain tightly adhered to the wall, ensuring that water doesn't get onto the moisture-sensitive drywall that lies behind each. Also, caulking around the faucet or shower head, as well as the hot and cold water knobs can keep water in its place and prevent it from getting back into your wall itself and creating a serious moisture problem that you'll have to deal with later.

Kitchen

• The kitchen, another moisture-rich zone in the home, can also use some caulking. Many caulk at the top of their back splashes, where this tile or counter surface meets the wall to ensure that any liquid that may splash about while cooking doesn't get behind this protective surface. Around the sink and around the faucet also prove popular places for caulking as this caulk helps create a water-tight seal that prevents leakage.

Windows

• For energy efficiency, all windows should have a layer of caulk around them. This layer of caulk between the window casing and the wall prevents temperature controlled air from seeping out of the house, potentially lowering your heating and cooling bills. There is likely already caulk around your windows that was placed there when the home was built or the windows installed; however, caulk can lose its functionality over time. As the Consumer Energy Center reports, homeowners should inspect the caulking around their windows every year or two and replace the caulking if necessary.

Exterior Walls

• Gaps in the exterior walls of homes also allow for energy loss and, as a result, should be filled with caulk. Homeowners should check for any gaps around the foundations of their homes and fill them with caulk. These gaps may include cracks created by settling or even holes drilled to allow for the entry of wires. By taking a trip to the attic, homeowners can also check for gaps where the roof meets the exterior walls and fill these opening with caulk as well.