Facts

• In its Standard Definitions and Terms Relating to Sealants web page, the Adhesive and Sealant Council defines caulk as "an old term used to describe materials in joints." It goes on to say that the word is used as a synonym for sealant, and the council has adopted the position that all caulks are sealants. Sealants are materials that form a seal through adhesive and cohesive properties.
  
  

Uses

• Caulk compounds are used to seal cracks, gaps or joints that are less than one-quarter-inch wide. They can be used to seal air leaks inside the house and prevent water damage inside and outside the home through application around plumbing fixtures such as water pipes, bathtubs and faucets.
  
  

Types

• Sealant varies in price, strength and properties. It can be silicone, polyurethane, water, butyl rubber, latex or resin (oil) based. The highest in cost are the water- and silicone-based compounds and the lowest are oil-based compounds.
  
  

Application

• Caulk is best applied when the temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit and the weather is dry. Low humidity prevents cracks from swelling with moisture, and the warmer temperature allows the sealant to set properly.
  
  

Consideration

• This article addresses the meaning of the word caulk as a noun. However, caulk is also a verb that is used to describe the action of applying sealant to joints, cracks and gaps.