Expert Sealing for Masonry Buildings

Caulking seals expansion joints, control joints, and other gaps in masonry buildings where flexible weatherproofing is needed instead of rigid mortar. Proper caulking prevents water infiltration, accommodates building movement, and protects your investment from weather damage.

Not everything should be tuckpointed. Some joints need flexible sealant to work correctly.

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What Needs Caulking vs. Tuckpointing

When to Use Caulk:

Expansion Joints:

• Designed to allow building movement
• Located at regular intervals in walls
• Separate sections of masonry
• Need flexible material, not rigid mortar

Control Joints:

• Intentional breaks to control cracking
• Allow thermal expansion and contraction
• Must remain flexible

Masonry-to-Other Material Transitions:

• Where brick meets window frames
• Door perimeters
• Brick to wood trim
• Masonry to metal flashing
• Different materials expand differently

Movement Joints:

• Any location designed for movement
• Parapet walls
• Roof edge details
• Corners and intersections

When to Use Mortar (Tuckpointing):

• Joints between bricks or stones
• Structural mortar joints
• Anywhere that shouldn't move
• Load-bearing applications

Using caulk instead of mortar (or vice versa) in the wrong location causes problems. We know the difference.

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Why Proper Caulking Matters

Water Infiltration Prevention

Failed caulk joints let water in:

• Around windows and doors
• Through expansion joints
• Behind masonry faces
• Into wall cavities

This causes:

• Interior water damage
• Mold and rot
• Brick and mortar deterioration
• Structural problems
• Energy loss

Building Movement Accommodation

Buildings move from:

• Thermal expansion and contraction
• Settlement
• Vibration
• Wind loads

Rigid mortar in movement joints cracks immediately. Flexible caulk accommodates this movement while maintaining a seal.

Energy Efficiency

Gaps around windows, doors, and joints let:

• Conditioned air escape
• Outside air infiltrate
• Heat transfer increase
• Energy costs rise

Proper caulking reduces these losses.

Prevents Secondary Damage

Water entering through failed caulk joints causes:

• Lintel corrosion
• Wood rot in window frames
• Interior finish damage
• Mold growth
• Foundation moisture

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Our Caulking Process

1. Assessment

We inspect to identify:

• Which joints need caulking
• Condition of existing caulk
• Whether joints are expansion/control joints
• Water infiltration evidence
• Related problems

2. Proper Preparation

This step is critical for adhesion:

• Remove all old caulk completely
• Clean joints thoroughly
• Remove dirt, oil, and loose material
• Dry surfaces properly
• Apply primer if needed

Skip preparation and new caulk fails quickly.

3. Backer Rod Installation

For deep joints:

• Install foam backer rod at proper depth
• This gives caulk something to push against
• Creates correct joint geometry
• Prevents three-sided adhesion
• Saves sealant

Proper backer rod depth ensures caulk performs correctly.

4. Professional Application

We apply caulk properly:

• Use the right caulk for each location
• Fill joints completely
• Tool to proper shape
• Ensure good contact with both sides
• Smooth finish

5. Quality Check

After curing:

• Verify proper adhesion
• Check for voids or gaps
• Ensure correct appearance
• Address any issues

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Types of Caulk We Use

Different locations need different sealants:

Polyurethane

Best for most masonry applications:

• Excellent adhesion to masonry
• Highly flexible
• Paintable
• Durable (15-25 year life)
• Good UV resistance
• Can be used on most surfaces

We use polyurethane for most exterior masonry joints.

Silicone

For specific applications:

• Excellent flexibility
• Outstanding weather resistance
• Not paintable (aesthetic limitations)
• Longer life than polyurethane
• Good for metal-to-masonry joints

Used where appropriate, but not everywhere.

Acrylic

For some interior or protected locations:

• Paintable
• Easy cleanup
• Less durable than polyurethane
• Not suitable for high-movement joints
• Limited exterior use

Hybrid Sealants

Newer technology:

• Combines benefits of different types
• Excellent performance
• Often specified for premium applications

We select the right sealant for each specific application based on:

• Joint movement
• Surface materials
• Exposure conditions
• Aesthetic requirements
• Performance expectations

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Common Caulking Locations

Windows and Doors

Perimeters need caulking where:

• Frames meet masonry
• Trim meets brick
• Sills and thresholds
• Top and side transitions

We tuckpoint the brick around windows but caulk where different materials meet.

Expansion Joints

Vertical joints in walls:

• Every 20-30 feet typically
• Break masonry into sections
• Allow thermal movement
• Prevent cracking

These MUST be caulked, never mortared.

Control Joints

Similar to expansion joints:

• Engineered into design
• Control where cracking occurs
• Essential for proper performance

Parapet Walls

Tops of walls need:

• Metal cap to masonry joints
• Corners and transitions
• Any movement locations

Roof-to-Wall Transitions

Where walls meet roofs:

• Chimney flashing
• Wall flashing
• Parapet details
• Penetrations

Masonry-to-Other Materials

Any transition between:

• Brick and siding
• Stone and trim
• Masonry and metal
• Different masonry types

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When to Replace Caulk

Caulk doesn't last forever. Replace when:

Visible Deterioration:

• Cracks in caulk
• Shrinkage and gaps
• Peeling away from surfaces
• Crumbling or hardening

Age:

• 10-15 years for most caulk
• 20-25 years for premium polyurethane
• Sooner in harsh exposure

Evidence of Water Entry:

• Leaks around windows
• Staining
• Interior water damage

During Other Work:

• When tuckpointing nearby
• During window replacement
• Masonry restoration projects
• Lintel replacement

Don't wait for complete failure. Preventive replacement saves money.

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Common Caulking Mistakes

Using the Wrong Material

Don't use caulk for:

• Structural mortar joints
• Load-bearing applications
• Where mortar should go

Don't use mortar for:

• Expansion joints
• Control joints
• Material transitions
• Anywhere that needs flexibility

Poor Preparation

Caulking over:

• Old caulk
• Dirty surfaces
• Wet joints
• Loose material

Result: New caulk fails quickly.

Wrong Application

• Too thin (won't seal)
• Too thick (waste)
• Three-sided adhesion (pulls apart)
• No backer rod when needed

Using Cheap Caulk

Bargain caulk from hardware stores:

• Fails in 2-5 years
• Poor adhesion
• Limited flexibility
• Costs more long-term

Professional-grade sealants last 3-5 times longer.

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Caulking and Other Services

Caulking is often done with:

• Tuckpointing - Repointing mortar, caulking expansion joints
• Window work - Sealing window perimeters
• Lintel Replacement - Caulking above windows after lintel work
• Chimney Repair - Sealing flashing and crown joints
• Waterproofing - Complete water protection system

We coordinate caulking with other masonry services for complete protection.

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Common Questions

Can I caulk my own building? Basic caulking is DIY-possible, but getting the right materials, proper preparation, and correct application takes experience. Poor caulking fails quickly.

Why did my caulk fail so fast? Usually poor surface preparation, wrong caulk type, or cheap materials. Professional caulk lasts 15-25 years.

Should I caulk or tuckpoint? Depends on the joint type. We'll assess and use the right material for each location.

What color caulk should I use? Usually match mortar color, though sometimes contrast is better. We recommend based on aesthetics and location.

How long does caulk take to cure? Most professional sealants skin over in hours but take 3-7 days for full cure. We protect fresh caulk appropriately.

Can caulk be painted? Polyurethane and acrylic can be painted. Silicone cannot. We select based on your needs.

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Why Choose Arrow Masonry

We Know What Goes Where

50+ years of experience means we know when to caulk vs. when to use mortar. This matters.

Professional Materials

We use commercial-grade sealants that last 2-3 times longer than consumer products.

Proper Preparation

We don't cut corners on surface prep. This is why our caulking lasts.

Complete Service

We handle caulking as part of complete masonry services, coordinating everything efficiently.

See our work and read reviews.

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Get Your Free Caulking Assessment

We'll inspect your building, identify joints needing caulking, and provide a detailed estimate.

Call: (847) 776-6400

Serving Chicagoland with professional caulking services.

Learn more about Arrow Masonry.

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Professional caulking services since 1972. The right sealant in the right place.