Wrong Material Leaves Window Half-Caulked

Question: I’ve got a problem with the caulk I’ve been using on the exterior of our house. I decided to re-caulk the windowsills because they’re so cracked and bought a name-brand caulk, but it was very runny when I used it. A neighbor said that when the weather’s warm, you shouldn’t use caulk. Is this true?

R. P.

Cypress

Answer: “More than likely the problem is that you just have the wrong type of caulking material,” says Eddie Mendez of Standard Brands Paint & Home Decorating Center in Huntington Beach. “There are several different types of caulks for all different purposes. You’ve really got to study the labels to see if the one you’re getting will fit what you need to do. You may have bought an interior or bathroom caulk, which is designed to be softer.

“I’d suggest looking for a multipurpose caulk, since that can be used virtually anywhere and it’s very durable. Also look for one that can be painted, or you can select a colored caulk that may match your house.”

Q: I have a curved coffee table leg that’s been broken in half at the bend. The break was fairly clean and by pressing the leg pieces together, there’s not much of a problem appearance-wise. How can I best secure these two pieces?

D. D.,

Rancho Santa Margarita

A: “You might try to use a dowel to lock the pieces together, although you’re going to have to be awfully careful with your drill,” says furniture restorer Martin Hamill of Santa Ana. “Select a bit about the same size as the dowel you’ll use and try to drill through the center of the leg. Use a bit of masking tape on the bit to mark the limit of how far you can drill to keep you from drilling too deep.”

“After you do the loose leg, try the dowel to see if it fits, then mark on the table leg where the hole should go. Drill carefully and slowly to make sure you’re making an accurate hole. When you get it to fit right, use wood glue and clamp the two legs together.”