Caulking

The importance of caulking & sealants as it applies to construction cannot be overstated. Most commercial buildings have caulking around the coping. Often there are visible signs of wear and weathering in these areas that go untreated. The caulking breaks down and allows moisture to enter the porous surface. Often when efflorescence is present on a surface it is a result of the failure of the caulking or sealant. Freeze/thaw cycles aggravate this condition and the deterioration is accelerated. The damage is

Masonry, control joints, coping, sealant between two dissimilar materials, penetrations, vents, roof flashing reglets, shelf-angles, windows, doorframes, architectural metal panel joints, floor slabs, walks, parking lots, driveways, stone to stone joints, marble and granite surfaces, fire spread retention, and many more.

no longer limited to the caulking but has now migrated to the structural components. Ultraviolet rays from the sun are another accelerant. On surfaces where there is traffic, such as a parking surface, a specific type of material should be utilized to prevent this from occurring. Allied Restoration works with specialists in the sealant industry to provide the proper sealant for the application at hand. This is key to long-term success in maintaining a solid surface and water tight area. The application of caulking is not as simple as the average layman thinks. There are many steps that go into preparation of the substrate and technique of application. One crucial step is the precise depth setting of the backer rod or in some case the use of bond breaker tape. The cleanliness of the substrate and the detail in tooling the caulking into place are often details that many companies overlook or ignore. Not Allied! When caulking shows ANY visible signs of wear and tear it needs replaced immediately. Waiting will only result in more damage to the structure and more expense to repair. Thus, caulking and sealants are cheap insurance!