What is Caulk Failure?
Due to poor adhesion or flimsy materials, caulking tends to pull away from painted surfaces, especially when painted over and the caulking itself begins to crack as a result. This can often be the case with silicone caulk, which is not meant to be painted over. As it is, different types of caulk are to be used in different application or purposes. For example, acrylic or silicon based caulking should be used in dryer areas where the caulk is less susceptible to come into contact with water. All other types of caulking can be used in areas where caulking may come in contact with water, such as laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Since there is a tendency for the caulk to stretch and are more flexible, using a higher quality, water-based acrylic is recommended; furthermore, the acrylic caulk itself can adhere to almost any surface or interior building material. Ensuring that caulk failure doesn’t occur means making sure that proper caulking is used in the right areas.
The use of acrylic-based caulking is highly recommended, as there is less chance of cracking, and water-based paints can be used on this caulk itself. Make sure that the caulk itself is of a high quality, and the paint used is water-based, to make room for fluctuations or minor stretching of the caulking over time. This ensures the caulk lasts for much longer.
