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I need some help with caulking odors..?

4K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  Gary in WA 
#1 ·
Hey guys, I have been having a problem with cold air seeping up into my bedroom, so I got an idea I thought would work out nice.
The problem is, my house is old and since my carpet is worn out, there is about a quarter inch space between the carpet and molding on the wall where my beds headboard is at (this is where the draft comes up through) so I decided to caulk the space to fix the problem. I laid down about a 6 ft. bead of silicon caulk on the bottom of the wall, about a half hour later it started to stink as it does, so I opened the windows up and put my fan on. A bit later, I noticed my bedsheets closest to the wall I caulked had taken on a fresh caulk odor. My question is, will this smell go away? meaning will it stay in the bedsheets, or clothes in my room/closet? No caulk had gotten on the sheet BTW, it is just the odor coming up the headboard and making my sheets stink. Also, being that I have both windows open for ventilation will I be alright sleeping in my room tonight? Thanks guys. I was just wondering if maybe some of you have experience with home improvement work & you might know a bit more than I do on this. Thanks again. Also* This might not be the correct way to use caulking, but when it comes to home improvement I am not Tim "the toolman" Taylor. Thank you everyone.
 
#2 ·
the caulk will continue to release the acetic acid odor until it cures fully. Generally it is not a health hazard. I suspect from the amount of caulk you used, it isn't in your case.

Especially if you have windows open for ventilation, I would not think it a problem.

It is simply a nuisance. It will likely be noticeable for a couple weeks but will depend on how thick the caulk is. The thicker it is, the longer it takes to cure and as such, the longer the smell will linger.
 
#3 ·
That type of caulking is one of the worst smelling. As said, after it cures... For the rest, try some backer rod - a poly compressible rope stuffed into the crack first. Or just alone, without caulking. If you just filled it up, it will separate later, just a matter of when. You have a floor and wall that expand and contract differently, they will break the bond: pp.35---- http://books.google.com/books?id=XH...Q6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=capillary break&f=false

Gary
 
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