Remove Old Exterior Window Caulking

The first step to solving this problem is to remove the old caulk.

Remove old exterior window caulking. For caulk around windows and door frames that will not be painted a clear drying silicone caulk should be used which can never be painted. Be very careful not to cut yourself if you are using a razor blade. Remove as much of the old caulking as you can using the edge of a razor blade or a putty knife.

Nail head holes particularly old ones that are beginning to rust can be an eyesore or sometimes simply dont align with a homeowners aesthetic. If youre removing caulk from window trim score the side of the caulk that touches the trim then score the other side that touches your siding or adjacent surface. The putty knife works best for prying away material that is already loose.

To remove the old caulk from windows you must soften it using heat or alcohol and then use a sharp tool to cut it away from the surface it was fixed to. You can use a utility knife or putty knife slicing through the caulk and peeling it away. Turning up the Heat.

Now before you go grab your blowtorch to scorch away all the caulk remember that you only need enough heat to make the caulk soft and pliable. Choose the smoothest surface to start peeling off the old caulking. Now two tools that work best for me are the putty knife and the utility knife.

A homes exterior is only as strong as its weakest point. The best thing homeowners can do is monitor window caulk and replace it when it becomes ineffective. Put it on wait like 8 hours then remove the old stuff.

For more stubborn caulk try cutting it away with a utility knife and then peel it away. If you use a razor tool hold it at a low angle and push gently to cut into the caulk. A few final notes about exterior caulking.