This is when the old sealant shows signs of cracking or premature detachment, as they allow air and water to seep into your building. Depending on the types of sealants used and the quantities originally applied, this will occur differently from one opening to another and randomly from one façade to another.
First weaknesses of joints as young as 5 or 6 years old
Most original sealants last about 15 years, but they begin to show signs of weakness such as micro-cracks as early as grade 5 or 6. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see detachments on almost half of the openings after only 9 or 10 years.
Why these weaknesses?
The small quantities applied originally are not very resistant to the effects of the Quebec climate and are under a great deal of stress during the drastic temperature changes we are experiencing. In addition to being as aesthetically pleasing as possible, sealing joints have as their main function to seal the perimeter of doors and windows.
The Elite Caulking Professional Solution
Here are the recommendations of your favorite caulking company on the North Shore
For it to be the most efficient and durable, the seal must adhere to maximum surface area on either side of the frames and substrates.
The larger the grip surface, the longer the seals will remain watertight.
Unfortunately, caulking experts too often see joints that barely touch the edges of the frames and begin to peel off as soon as the materials have undergone the first effects of the season changes.
The wider the seal and adheres to the maximum surface area, the longer it will last.
Polyurethane and silicone sealants are of high quality and are among those that last a very long time. Applied according to industry standards and manufacturers’ recommendations, they can really last between 20 and 25 years. As our caulking expert mentions in our advice page,we only use this professional quality and our joints are really wide as the original joints.
Technical reminder of installation
In order to maximize the life of the new sealant, it is important to remove the old one and clean the surfaces with the appropriate products that will promote the adhesion factor of the new pose. It is also very important to note that there are different types of sealing sealing joint compounds designed specifically for certain substrates such as:
- Brick,
- Concrete,
- The stone,
- Vinyl,
- Aluminium,
- The aggregate,
- Acrylic,
- Wood,
- The glass… and more
In some cases, some surfaces may even have to be prepared. A caulking contractor will use the most appropriate sealant and will save you an unfortunate mistake if you had considered doing the work yourself.