What Do I Use to Seal up a Crack Near My Indoor Window?

Caulking

• Apply caulk in any crack in the home. Caulk is available in a number of materials, including silicone. Silicone caulks are waterproof and do not shrink or crack as they dry. Caulking is marketed in tubes and dispensed with a caulking gun. Use a damp finger to smooth the caulk in place.

Rope Caulk

• A similar material to silicone caulk is rope caulk, but it is dispensed on a roll. The rope of caulk is pulled from the roll and laid into the crack. Use your fingers to press the caulk into the crack. Rope caulk works best on small projects where a tube of caulk would be too large. The rope of caulk can be stored between uses.

Joint Compound

• Joint compound can be used to seal cracks in drywall or plaster walls near windows. Place a thin coat of the joint compound over the crack, and lay a piece of drywall tape over the crack, pressing into the joint compound using a putty knife. You'll need to place another coat of joint compound over the tape and allow it to dry overnight. Sand the compound smooth before applying a second layer of joint compound and sanding smooth. The finished surface over the crack can then be textured and painted.

Putty

• Window putty is applied to cracks that form between the window glass and the wood or metal frame. Roll the window putty into a strand about one-quarter-inch thick. After placing the putty in the crack or joint between the glass and frame, use a putty knife to smooth the putty in an angle across the crack.