Caulk vs. Oakum — What's the Difference?

A material used for sealing air gaps in buildings.

Absorbs water and swells, improving its sealing ability.

To make watertight by filling or sealing.

Traditionally used in shipbuilding and plumbing.

Flexible, can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Loose fiber obtained by untwisting old rope, used especially in caulking wooden ships.

Comes in tubes and requires a caulking gun for application.

Derived from natural fibers, making it eco-friendly.

A waterproof filler and sealant used in building work and repairs.

Applied by hand and often sealed with tar or cement.

Caulk or (less frequently) caulking is a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structures and piping. The oldest form of caulk consisted of fibrous materials driven into the wedge-shaped seams between boards on wooden boats or ships.

Oakum is a preparation of tarred fibre used to seal gaps. Its main traditional applications were in shipbuilding, for caulking or packing the joints of timbers in wooden vessels and the deck planking of iron and steel ships; in plumbing, for sealing joints in cast iron pipe; and in log cabins for chinking.

To make watertight or airtight by filling or sealing

Loose hemp or jute fiber, sometimes treated with tar, creosote, or asphalt, used chiefly for caulking seams in wooden ships and packing pipe joints.

(Nautical) To make (a boat) watertight by packing seams with a waterproof material, such as oakum or pitch.

A material, consisting of tarred fibres, used to caulk or pack joints in plumbing, masonry, and wooden shipbuilding.

To apply caulking

The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in hackling.

Caulking.

The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; - used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.

Caulking.

The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling.

A composition of vehicle and pigment used at ambient temperatures for filling/sealing joints or junctures, that remains elastic for an extended period of time after application.

Loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships

(nautical) To drive oakum into the seams of a ship's wooden deck or hull to make it watertight.

To apply caulking to joints, cracks, or a juncture of different materials.

(slang) fuck

To fill in the seams or cracks of, with a waterproof material such as caulk.

See Calk.

A viscous semisolid material of varying composition used to fill in seams of objects which are exposed to water, such as wooden ships or bath tiles; - called also calk and caulking. After applying in a semisolid form, the material hardens and dries to form a waterproof seal. It is used in the process of caulking. It is sometimes applied together with a rope-like cord to fill larger seams.

Seal with caulking;

Caulk is widely used around windows, doors, and other joints in buildings to prevent leaks and drafts.

Yes, oakum is used in traditional shipbuilding, restoration, and certain plumbing applications, particularly with cast iron pipes.

Yes, there are different types of caulk designed for specific surfaces, including glass, metal, and plastic.

Caulk's durability comes from its flexibility and resistance to weather conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Caulk is a sealant used for air and water leaks in construction, while oakum is a fibrous material used for sealing gaps in ships and pipes.

Oakum is packed into the joints between planks on wooden ships before being sealed with pitch or tar.

Its fibrous nature allows it to expand and fill large gaps tightly, especially when it swells upon getting wet.

Caulk is applied using a caulking, allowing for precise application along seams and joints.

No, oakum is typically used in conjunction with a sealing agent like tar or pitch for waterproofing.

Oakum expands when it gets wet, enhancing its ability to seal by filling in gaps more effectively.

Silicone caulk is known for its flexibility and is often used in areas exposed to constant movement or temperature changes.

It prevents water and air leaks, improves energy efficiency, and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Yes, caulk is applied with a caulking for a smooth finish, whereas oakum is manually packed into spaces before sealing.

For traditional shipbuilding, historical restoration, or when sealing large, irregular gaps, especially in cast iron piping, oakum's expandable nature makes it the better choice.

Caulk is designed to withstand various weather conditions, while oakum's effectiveness is enhanced by moisture, making it ideal for marine applications.