Calking Gaps - How Big Can You Go?

ddawg16

My concrete guy who can pretty much do anything had a free day so I put him to work doing some tasks that I had been avoiding (I hate heights)....I had install some blocking on the eaves of my house.....

In a couple of places I have what looks to be about a 1/4" gap between the block and the rafter.

Is that too much to fill with caulk or should I replace the 2-3 boards that are like this?

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joecaption

Got a picture?
Depend, 1/4" is not to much to caulk but if it's a deep area your trying to air seal you may want to use expanding foam instead if your air sealing.
Or at least some foam cording first then the caulking.

oh'mike

Look at the store--ask for 'backer rod' that is a stiff foam round thing used to fill the gap before caulking---comes in a roll---various diameters for small gap ,like yours, to very thick .for the big gaps between a concrete slab and a foundation----

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ddawg16

Ok.....now that you point it out....I have seen that.....

Thanks Mike.....and Joe

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Matthewt1970

Yep, backing rod is what ya want.

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jeffnc

1/4" is fine for caulk but then it comes down to how much space you have to fill. If it's not much space, a backer rod is a waste of time. If it's deep, you'll either use a ton of caulk to fill, or risk not having the caulk stick well to the sides if you don't fill.

Mr. Paint

Rule of thumb: Never caulk deeper than the width.

I had a union painter tell me that if the cracks got that big. they'd call in the carpenters.

I do agree with the advice previously given. Backer rod or foam filler is standard in the industry for this.

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