Discolored exterior caulking…..help!!!

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

About 5 years ago we had all of our old wood windows replaced. At the same time, we opted to have all the windows “wrapped” to cover all the wood surfaces. Since then the caulking around the wrap on all of the window sills has turned brown It actually started darkening even after 1 year but we sinply thought it was normal and could eventually be pressure washed off. It has gotten much worse and looks terrible I have tried mant cleaners and even magic eraser and none worked One person mentioned to me that this happened because UV resistant caulk was not used but i have no idea if that is correct Someone else said if i try to scrape off and reapply it will ruin aluminum. Another option i wss told would be to prime and paint it but wouldnt that defeat the purpose of wrapping and having maintenance free windows? We wrapped so that we would not have to paint! The installer insists it has nothing to do with thier caulk and its only environmental factors But i know others in my area who do not have this issue Why would anyone wrap their windows if this will happen? it looks terrible! Every window looks like this pic Some even worse i have several large windows on my deck and we have to sit and look at this Can someone explain the culprit and remedy?

Featured Answer

PRO

toddinmn

3 years ago

Did they use latex caulk? Part of the problem or all of it may be because they smeared it on which is giving grime a larger area collect on and more grooves to sit in.

Typically I use Quad OSI and I lay down a bead without tooling it. I don’t use any caulk where the casing meets the sill and there should only be a small caulk joint where the window meets the sill. They are either incompetent, hiding mistakes or both.

The best would be to remove and reapply, but as you were told it isnt easy and the aluminum could get damaged. I’d try some cleaners on it that are safe for paint.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
3 years ago
Does not appear to be the work of a professional in this case. If you can remove it, as todd mentions, that would be ideal. I fear you'll be more likely to damage the capping in the process. You might want to look at a re-capping quote.
HU-567360350 thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
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HU-567360350
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you both above! This is what i feared. But this was done by a very established roofing conpany. There was a major hail storm in our area and most everyone got new roofs and siding and then we also had all of our windows, gutters, and wrapping done. And without knowledge of the process, we had no idea it wasn’t done correctly. i have tried every cleaner that i have and even a magic eraser Nothing works. Do you think any caulk remover products would work? With a plastic scraper?
PRO
toddinmn
3 years ago
“A very established roofing company” is a little telling.

I’m not sure what will work, if it is a polyurethane caulk it will be difficult. The plastic scraper and remover may work.
HU-567360350 thanked toddinmn
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
3 years ago
They could deny blame for the discoloration, but that's an unprofessional caulk job either way. I'd try to work your way up the ladder at that company and see if you can't find someone that actually cares about their workmanship.
PRO
toddinmn
3 years ago
And ask for the best roofer they got.
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@toddinmn, lol...

I was trying to avoid piling on, but I have to agree that using "a very established roofing company" is far from a guarantee of a quality window installation. I'm not sure that its any more beneficial than using "a very established accounting firm" to install your windows, they would certainly be more attentive to detail... Roofers are a different breed in my experience. Not in a bad way (unless its in regard to installing windows ;) ), just different.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
3 years ago
Todd does interject a healthy degree of levity and sarcasm on occasion. His sharpness of product knowledge is matched only by his Wit.
Kate
3 years ago
Sloppy caulk job for sure. If you can’t remove it I think painting it will be your only solution. If prepped properly paint adheres to aluminum very well, not sure about the caulk though. It will definitely interfere with what caulk is designed to do and that’s flex with the weather.