If you own or manage a commercial building in South Philadelphia, you are familiar with the demands the climate puts on structures in the area. The heavy rainfall, humidity, and extreme shifts in temperature throughout the year mean buildings face near-constant assault from the elements.
This article will explore the best practices for commercial caulking in Philadelphia to ensure your property is protected and can withstand the climate easily.
Caulking Best Practices Start with Inspection and Preparation
The first step in adequate weatherproof caulking is thoroughly examining the building to identify areas needing fresh sealant. The inspection should include the following:
- Gaps or cracks in siding materials: Has movement or deterioration created openings wider than 1/16th of an inch? These can appear around windows, seams between brick and wood, or anywhere settling occurs.
- Windows and doors: Examine frames to ensure solid connections with no movement, allowing water behind them. Deteriorating sealants along the edges also demand re-caulking.
- Penetrations: Pipes, wires, vents, or similar openings punched through walls need sound caulking to protect them. These are common points of water intrusion.
- Flashing: Scan flashing around roof lines, parapets, window sills, and any horizontal/vertical junctures. Ensure metal flashing seals tightly and replace deteriorated sealants.
An exhaustive inspection helps identify every area needing fresh caulking for a complete weatherproofing job. Once problem spots are marked, proper preparation can begin.
Before applying any sealant, the cardinal rule is to ensure the substrate is clean and dry. Use a utility knife to remove all old, cracked caulk materials from the joints or gaps being addressed. Remove any loose mortar, paint flakes, or other materials impeding adhesion.
Once stripped down to solid base materials, clean the surfaces using isopropyl alcohol to remove dust, oils, or other contaminants and allow them to dry thoroughly. The ultimate test of surface readiness is to wipe with a clean, dark cloth, checking for debris or moisture pulled up. Only apply caulk once the area is visibly clean and dry.
Material Selection Matters for Durable, Long-Lasting Waterproofing
With the wide variety of caulking products available, it can be overwhelming to determine the best options for weatherproofing buildings. However, following a few key principles helps simplify the process:
- Focus on advanced silicone, polyurethane, or hybrid sealants engineered explicitly for exterior construction use. Compared to basic latex caulks that deteriorate faster, these materials provide maximum durability against weathering, temperature fluctuations, and aging.
- Carefully check manufacturer specifications on chemical compatibilities to match the appropriate sealant type to the materials being joined. For example, certain sealants may only adhere properly to metal surfaces with a special primer.
- Using incompatible products can compromise bonds.
- Consider the type of joint being caulked. Expansion joints that experience movement need more flexible sealants. Dissimilar materials such as concrete and steel may also require special preparation to bridge the differences for a reliable, weatherproof seal.
For best results, rely on the same silicone, polyurethane, or hybrid solutions that sealing professionals use for the challenging weatherproofing needs of exterior commercial buildings.
Proper Application Techniques Ensure Seamless Waterproofing
With suitable commercial-grade sealants on hand, application techniques also impact performance:
Utilize caulking guns to control smooth, consistent flow free of bubbles for solid adhesion. For smaller voids, apply in multiple passes to prevent sagging.- Once applied, tool the caulk with a rounded tip to create flush connections with the contact surfaces. Eliminate any lifted edges or unfinished transitions that can catch water.
- Allow proper cure times before exposing sealants to rain or temperature swings. Most silicone and polyurethane options take 7-14 days to set fully. Avoid washing or abrasion during this period.
- Detail work matters when applying exterior sealants. Follow manufacturer guidelines to ensure solid integration with the building materials without gaps allowing moisture penetration.
Ongoing Inspections and Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs
Finally, proper weatherproof caulking in Philadelphia doesn’t end once the application is complete. Ongoing inspections, with sealant testing and reapplication, ensure that watertightness stands the test of our climate over time.
Sealants experience natural degradation from UV exposure, extreme temperatures, movement, and other factors, even when properly selected and applied. Being proactive with maintenance preserves facility integrity.
Destructive sealant testing routinely identifies early warning signs of potential failure before it causes water infiltration or pest infestation issues.
For facilities managers and property owners, identifying and reapplying localized areas of failing caulk is far more cost-effective than reacting to major damage after failures grow unchecked for extended periods.
Keeping up with inspections and maintenance makes meeting performance warranties more achievable in Philadelphia’s unforgiving weather.
Why Commercial Caulking Calls For Specialists
Implementing proper best practices for durable weatherproof commercial caulking involves more than just applying a product.
The complex requirements beyond DIY skills include conducting thorough inspections, specialized removal processes, proper surface cleaning, expert material selection, precise application techniques, and proactive maintenance.
When working on tall multi-story buildings, access equipment such as boom lifts or scaffolding enters the equation as well. If done incorrectly, without proper training and expertise in all aspects of commercial caulking, the liability risks substantially grow.
Failed sealants can lead to extremely expensive consequences, untreated water infiltration, and pest infestation within a facility if not remedied quickly.
Employing specialists with extensive experience inspecting, preparing, selecting, applying, and maintaining commercial sealants is well worth the upfront investment.
In Philadelphia’s heavy-weather climate, having the right commercial caulking partner reduces the costs of building upkeep over decades of ownership significantly.
Partner with Waterproof Caulking & Restoration to Protect Your Commercial Philadelphia Property
When addressing the weatherproofing needs of your Philadelphia commercial property, leverage the expertise of Waterproof Caulking & Restoration.
Our specialist teams thoroughly inspect and test existing sealants, properly remove any failing sections, select advanced sealants for your specific project needs, apply materials utilizing precision commercial-grade equipment, and revisit installed areas over time to ensure ongoing integrity.
Contact us today at 484.265.9646 or schedule a consultation online to proactively maintain durable facility water tightness with our tailored commercial caulking services.