One of the most critical components of the building envelope is the joint sealant, and inspection and maintenance of sealants are essential for optimum performance. Although the expense when compared to the total cost of construction is small, the results of failed sealant can be substantial. For this reason, a thorough inspection and evaluation of sealant joints on a regular basis is recommended and may result in substantial savings in maintenance cost over the life of the structure. We have compiled a list of four basic steps to follow when inspecting and performing maintenance of the sealant on your structure.
Check out the following guidelines we have created that may be helpful in determining and evaluating the health of expansion and control joint seals in your structure.
*Most of the above symptoms may be observed visually and identified by minimal physical probing. The use of a probing tool such as an ice pick is useful in making a determination as to the health of the sealant joint. The frequency of joint inspections should be annual and preferably during colder temperatures when joints are opening, and adhesive failures may be noted.
Sealants inspection and maintenance should be reviewed every one to two years. The action taken at that point – cleaning, touch-up, repair, or replacement – depends on the observed condition of the sealant. Because there are so many different types of sealants and many causes of sealant failure, the inspection and maintenance should be carried out by professional contractors.
Generally, do not try to extend the service life of the sealant past the manufacturer’s recommended interval. Go for quality. In most cases, using the best quality materials will lower future servicing and repair costs.
For more information on our sealant offerings, or sealant maintenance recommendations, we urge you to contact our Pecora Corporation Technical Services Group. Our expert team is highly qualified to recommend the proper solution for your project. Our Technical Services staff offers training in product technology and use, provides the technical assistance you require in the planning and implementation of your project. They can be reached by email techservices@pecora.com or by phone (800)-523-6688.
Click or call (800) 523-6688.
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