How do I re-caulk these windows?

[wren57]

My home builder did a poor job caulking around most of my windows, so they’re loud. I was able to go back and properly caulk most of them which reduced 75% of the noise, but can’t figure these out. Is there a way to remove the frame to really get in there, or is my only option to pull this caulk and press as much as I can back in the narrow gap?


Sidenote - woah to the redesign here. This is gonna take some getting used to.

 

[DHCrocks]

You should get a utlity knife and cut out the old caulk, getting new caulk to stick to old stuff never works out too well. if there is a deep gap you could use some foam backing rod to stuff in. when you apply the caulk slightly overfill it and use a silicone caulk edge tool. it will get you perfect looking consistent beads. There are different profiles from flat, radius or 45-degree bevels. The edge tool makes all the difference, I thought it was gimmicky at first but it really does an excellent job.

 

[wren57]

So there's no way (or need) to remove the window frame in any way? I had to do this with my other windows.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

So there's no way (or need) to remove the window frame in any way? I had to do this with my other windows.

I would think no unless the windows are loose or when you cut out the old caulk and inspect with a flashlight there appears to be rot.

 

[DHCrocks]

removing the window should be your last option, too much work involved. If its solid and you just have some noise from air movement and there is a gap spray foam can also help but use care as it can push the jams out. If the windows operate properly and are square I would just leave them in place. Don't forget to caulk the outside too.

 

[Hank11]

What does the outside look like?

 

[MerlinsBeard]

I’m in a similar position, that caulk around the windows has started to crack after about 10 years. I’m using a small metal putty knife to peel/scrape the cracked portion against the window frame in prep for recaulk. Takes a bit of work to clean the old caulk out, but it’s worth the time to do it right.

 

[dogdog]

I love using the multi tool with a dulled out blade to remove caulk. It makes the job so much easier.

 

[Plombob]

I love using the multi tool with a dulled out blade to remove caulk. It makes the job so much easier.

This works very well. I recaulked several windows this way. The only downside is, I went through a lot of blades.

 

[dogdog]

This works very well. I recaulked several windows this way. The only downside is, I went through a lot of blades.

I used only dull blades for the caulk removal.... not new blades. especially great on weathered hardened outdoor caulks.

Not the large mouth scraper blades, I used the normal saw tooth ones after they are dulled without any tooth...

 

[Plombob]

I used only dull blades for the caulk removal.... not new blades. especially great on weathered hardened outdoor caulks.

Not the large mouth scraper blades, I used the normal saw tooth ones after they are dulled without any tooth...

Dull blades wouldn't cut through the old caulk on my windows. I started with new blades, but even the "extreme duty" blades wore out faster than I expected.