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    28Feb, 2023
    The Importance of Building Sealant

    Building Sealant

    The Importance of Building Sealant

    Building sealant is an important part of a building’s exterior, especially for protecting against water ingress, heat, humidity, UV rays and other environmental strains. It also helps keep the interior of a structure comfortable.

    There are several types of sealants, including water-based and polyurethane. Selecting the right type is based on your needs and budget.

    Waterproofing

    Waterproofing is a process that protects structures from water in any form, whether it is liquid, solid (ice) or gas (humidity). A waterproofing system can help ensure the structural integrity of a building and reduce the risk of damage.

    A properly waterproofed building is a safe, durable, and healthy place to live. It also adds value to a property and makes it more appealing for sale.

    The first benefit of waterproofing is that it helps prevent unwanted moisture from leaking into your walls and causing mold and mildew to grow, which can be harmful for your health. Additionally, it reduces the amount of time spent cleaning up after a heavy rainstorm or flood.

    Another benefit is that it prevents rust and wood decay. This means that your home will look and feel newer longer, which increases its value in the long run.

    Waterproofing can also protect the foundation of your building, preventing cracks and settling issues from developing. This is especially important if your home is on an uneven or sloped lot.

    A professional waterproofing company can address a wide range of foundation and drainage issues. They can use drain tile, sump pumps, and other equipment to channel excess water away from your home.

    They can also install a water-proofing membrane to protect the exterior of your building. This can help prevent water from seeping into your basement and causing significant damage.

    These professionals can also inspect your building to make sure that the membrane is working properly and no leaks are forming. This is a vital step to making sure that the waterproofing job is successful, and it can save you money in the long run.

    Waterproofing is a complex task and requires specialized training and skills to complete. This is why it’s important to choose a professional who has extensive experience and a reputation for doing the job correctly. Ask about their certifications and how long they’ve been in business to ensure that you’re getting the best service.

    Energy Efficiency

    Energy efficiency is a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other pollutants while saving on utility costs. In addition, it improves the quality of life and health in buildings and yields a variety of other benefits.

    Air sealing is a great start to building energy efficiency. Sealing leaks around windows, doorways, and other openings reduces the amount of energy it takes to heat or cool your home. This saves money, protects your family’s health, and keeps your home drier in the winter and warmer in the summer.

    In addition, it can help prevent mold and mildew growth. Fortunately, air sealing does not require much effort and can be performed by anyone.

    Insulation is another important part of a successful energy-efficiency upgrade. Increasing the thickness of a building’s insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy savings and comfort.

    However, if you want to ensure the best possible results, it’s a good idea to use high-quality materials that are environmentally responsible. These materials are often certified through Green Seal, an independent program that helps people find products that meet a set of environmental leadership standards.

    If you’re a commercial or multifamily owner, Building Sealant it’s even more important to use high-quality sealants and adhesives for the most effective and environmentally friendly results. This is especially true for sealing ductwork, which can be a significant source of air pollution and radon gas migration in buildings.

    Adhesives and sealants are also a key factor in promoting material efficiency. They can encourage the reduction of material used during construction, the extension of building life through maintenance and repair, and the reuse of building materials to minimize waste.

    In addition, they can help promote the reuse and recycling of materials to limit the embodied carbon that’s released into the environment each time a product is produced. Ultimately, the more materials are used, the more we use energy to transport and dispose of them.

    Durability

    Durability is the ability of a sealant to preserve its performance to a specific substrate(s) over the design life of the sealant. This includes resistance to environmental strains such as ultra-violet radiation, moisture, temperature, cyclic joint movement, movement during curing, and biodegradation.

    The main physical properties that determine the durability of a sealant are adhesive strength, cohesive strength, recovery ability after deformation, modulus, and weathering. There are many other properties that should be considered in designing a sealant for a given application.

    Adhesion: Unless the sealant has adequate adhesion to the various substrates, it will not have the capacity to bond securely and continuously. This is especially true in moving joints where an early loss of adhesion can significantly reduce the performance of a sealant. In most cases, a primer may be recommended to promote proper adhesion.

    Cohesion: Unless the sealant has sufficient cohesive strength to hold itself together, it will not be able to provide the necessary sealing capacity of a joint. This is especially true in moving joints where a joint will move repeatedly over time due to the interaction of heat, water, humidity and air pressure.

    Test Methods:

    Some of the most common tests used in determining a sealant’s durability are ASTM C719 and ASTM C734. These standards involve constant stretching and compressing a joint over several weeks, and then seeing how well the sealant recovers from the stress.

    ASTM C719 – 2005 Standard Test Method for Adhesion and Cohesion of Elastomeric Joint Sealants Under Cyclic Movement (Hockman Cycle). This test requires the sealant to be constantly stretched and compressed in a variety of conditions over several weeks.

    The sealant is then subjected to repeated cycles of exposure to UV light and condensation for more than 30 days. After this, the sealant is tested again to see how well it recovers from the stress. This test is very rigorous and provides a good basis for determining how durable a sealant is under stress.

    Maintenance

    Keeping your facilities and equipment in good working condition is an important part of any business. While you Building Sealant may not be able to predict when and how an asset will break down, maintenance can help you avoid expensive repairs.

    Aside from the monetary savings, maintenance can also help prevent accidents and protect your employees’ health. Preventive maintenance can include tasks such as changing water filters and cleaning essential equipment, while emergency maintenance entails a last-minute response to an unexpected breakdown.

    According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, maintenance is “to keep in an existing state, preserve from failure.” It means that you take action to ensure the continued functioning of your equipment and facilities.

    It is often said that there are four major types of maintenance strategies: proactive, reactive, emergency, and predictive. Each has its advantages and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the best one for your needs.

    Proactive maintenance is the most cost-effective strategy, but it can be challenging to implement. It involves implementing routine inspections and analyzing data to identify issues before they become serious problems.

    The key to proactive maintenance is to create a schedule that works for your business and its equipment. Having a schedule in place will ensure that maintenance is always performed on time and at the right frequency.

    For example, if you have an HVAC unit that has been running at full capacity for years, it may be a good idea to replace it with a more efficient model. In addition, if your company has a large number of vehicles, you might want to check the tires regularly and clean the engine to reduce fuel consumption.

    You can also set up a system where you notify a technician if an asset needs maintenance, and then they will be responsible for handling the repair. This will reduce downtime and minimize your risks of business closures due to a failed asset.

    You can also choose to use predictive maintenance, where the system will read the equipment’s signals and alert you when it is tipped off to an issue. This can be more labor intensive, but it will save money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs.

    27Feb, 2023
    What Is Building Sealant?

    Building Sealant

    What Is Building Sealant?

    Building Sealant is a substance used to seal or fill gaps and cracks between different types of building materials. It can also be used to block air, water, and other environmental elements from entering or exiting a structure.

    There are many sealants on the market for use in construction. These include silicone, acrylic, urethane, butyl, and other polymer types. Each has its own properties and needs.

    Sealing Joints

    Sealants are used to seal joints in the building structure. These are commonly the joints between the different materials such as concrete, masonry, aluminum etc. These sealants are strong against stress and also have good bonding properties with the building material.

    These sealing products are often called caulks, but they may be more appropriately termed sealants. They come in various types and are designed for a wide range of applications and construction types.

    In order for a sealant to provide the required performance attributes, it must first be installed properly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications. This includes a variety of factors including the application environment, access for the sealant applicator, and proper primer and joint filler application.

    The installation of a sealant should not occur at an area where the substrates are experiencing movement that exceeds the design range of the sealant. This can be due to mechanical Building Sealant stressors (e.g., vibrations and radiation) or thermal variants such as seasonal climate changes or temperature fluctuations.

    Typically, movement is measured in units of percentage of joint width (e.g., +100% / -100%) and the results should be compared to the performance criteria established in the specification or data sheet for that specific sealant. Some examples are ASTM C719.

    For most, if not all sealants that meet this standard, movement will have no significant impact on adhesive or cohesive performance. However, if movement is to be an issue in the application then there must be some way to test for that ability under field conditions and have that data available to the specifier and applicator.

    There are many standards that test for this, and most specify a set of tests with some combination of continuous or periodic joint movement to compress, then repeat 10 cycles. This is done to simulate the conditions that are seen in a variety of weathering environments.

    Another test that will give a hint at how well a sealant can handle joint movement in the field is ASTM C1589 and Section 10.2. Procedure B (outdoor movement) and Procedure C (periodic manual extension and compression) are both good examples of this type of testing. The results from these test methods are not as accelerated as those from some other weathering and compression tests but still gives some indication of how long the sealant will perform in a particular climate.

    Sealing Cracks

    Sealants are a critical component of any building envelope. They provide waterproof, weatherproof, and abrasion resistant seals on all the joints that separate different materials within a structure. They can be used on many types of construction materials, including concrete, masonry, metal, wood, glass and fiberglass.

    Sealant selection is made based on a number of characteristics. The most important are adhesive strength, cohesive strength, recovery ability after deformation, modulus and durability under the effects of weathering.

    For example, if you are using an epoxy sealant to fill a crack, it needs to be able to bond well and not leak out of the crack when the concrete moves as the slab ages. Additionally, it should have the ability to remain flexible and withstand compression as the slab moves.

    Likewise, if you are using a polyurethane crack sealant, it also needs to be able to accommodate movement. It can do this through either an internal flow under stress mechanism, which is known as cold flow or plastic flow, or by accommodating a tensile force.

    Both of these mechanisms are necessary for a sealant to meet the requirements for sealing a control joint in a concrete slab. This sealant should be able to bond to the sides of the cut or opening of the joint, remain flexible over temperature and moisture changes and withstand both compression and expansion.

    Special poly urea caulks designed as joint fillers are available that are injected into the crack to create an effective sealing joint that will accommodate any movement in the concrete. These injection caulks are often less expensive than their spray-on counterparts and work best for cracks that are too fine to inject a polyurethane foam sealant or too large to use an epoxy crack filler.

    Regardless of the sealant method you choose, it’s vital to have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) prepared for your product before installation. This EPD will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not your building project will impact the environment.

    Sealing Ductwork

    When your ductwork is properly sealed, your air conditioner and heating system can operate more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills. Sealing ductwork also improves indoor air quality by keeping dust, pollen, and other particles from entering your home.

    Even small leaks in ductwork can have a big impact on your air quality and overall health. The moisture that enters your ductwork can cause mold to grow, which may make you sick and negatively affect your home’s HVAC system.

    Leaky ductwork can also contribute to higher utility costs because your air conditioning or heating system must work harder to maintain your desired temperature. You can save a lot of money on energy by sealing your ductwork and insulating it.

    Several different techniques are available for sealing your ductwork. You can apply duct tape (the old-fashioned way) or use mastic and Aeroseal.

    The old-fashioned approach involves using high-quality duct tape and mastic to seal all of the gaps and cracks in your ductwork. Mastic is a water-based, paste-like substance that hardens right after it is applied to the area where it is leaking or needing sealing.

    When applying mastic, be sure to use an overlap of at least a 1/2-inch around any joint or crack in the ductwork. This is especially important if the joint or crack will be under stress.

    Mastic is a good choice for sealing ductwork because it’s easy to apply and is more cost-effective than foil duct tape. It will also last for much longer than foil duct tape.

    You can find mastic at any hardware store or home improvement supply Building Sealant store. It is a water-based, fiber-reinforced paste-like material that can be applied with a paintbrush or a caulking gun.

    Another great option is Aeroseal, a liquid rubber sealant that can be used for sealing the ductwork from the inside out. This is a more complicated process than the DIY approach and will likely require the services of a professional.

    Regardless of which method you choose, the key to success is finding and fixing your air leaks. If you don’t take care of them, your ductwork could deteriorate and lead to costly repairs down the road. This is why it’s so important to get regular inspections and have your ductwork professionally inspected for leaks.

    Sealing Window Frames

    Sealing window frames can help keep drafts out, reducing heating costs and increasing the comfort of your home. This can be done with a variety of products, including caulk, silicone sealant and air insulating foam.

    Before applying any type of sealing product, you must first prepare the area. This includes removing any old caulk or other materials from the window frame. Clean the area thoroughly and let it dry. Use a brush or cloth to remove any dirt, grime and other debris that could inhibit the adhesive properties of the new sealant.

    If the existing caulk is loose, you can also scrape it away with a steel putty knife. Doing so will ensure that your new sealant can adhere well to the window frame.

    To get the best result, you should use a caulking gun with a thumb release to apply your sealant. Start at one end of the joint and move across it, using a consistent forty-five-degree angle. If you have to reapply, do so until the sealant is a smooth bead of liquid.

    Once the cracks are fully sealed, the windows will be airtight and free of drafts. In addition, you may want to consider installing a draft stopper on the bottom sash of the window. You can buy these at your local hardware store or home improvement store.

    Another way to seal windows is with a rubber gasket. These are made from an EPDM material that resembles backer rod and come in a variety of colors to match most building types. They can be installed on a wooden or aluminium frame.

    The EPDM sealant can be trimmed to fit around shims, or you can use shim screws instead of wood shims. A rubber gasket is a cost-effective solution for sealing window frames.

    A good alternative to a rubber gasket is butyl rubber, which is an expandable variety that can be applied over a wide range of materials. Its flexibility allows it to fill in gaps that are larger than a quarter of an inch, so it’s ideal for sealing areas like gutters and flashing options.