The purpose of caulking in commercial buildings is to seal joints and other openings to protect the foundation and walls of the building. Improper caulking or not having any caulking can increase the risk of water damage inside of your building, the inability to control the temperature inside the property and other concerns.
It is important to understand when to remove caulking in commercial buildings and how to effectively do so for optimal protection and energy-efficiency inside of your commercial property. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively, safely and efficiently remove caulking.
When Is It Important To Remove Caulking?
Caulking is a great way to keep moisture, air, dirt and other particles out of your commercial property. The benefits of proper caulking may include lower energy costs, improved comfort and a better appearance of your commercial property.
However, caulk has an expiration date. Depending on how exposed your windows, doors, walls, and other surfaces are to bad weather, water and other elements, new caulk will need to be applied more quickly in some situations than in others. When applying new caulk, it is sometimes necessary to remove the existing and outdated caulking. Caulk often needs removal for renovation projects that involve window, door and flooring replacement.
Tools You Need
Removing caulk at your commercial property does not require many complex tools. For more challenging caulk removal jobs, consider hiring a professional that has experience with more complex equipment. The following should be all that is required for the caulking removal process:
- Caulk remover solution
- Caulk remover tool
- Putty knife
- Cleaning solution
Apply Caulk Remover Solution & Wait
The first step in the process of removing caulking in commercial buildings is to apply the caulk removal solution. You can find commercial caulk remover solutions online or at most home improvement stores. The solution should have detailed directions on how to apply it. Be sure to follow the directions closely.
It should also provide guidelines as to how long to wait after application of the remover solution. Most require at least two hours of wait time. For the best results, it is ideal to give it between 12 and 24 hours for the remover solution to take effect. With most caulk remover solutions, leaving the remover solution overnight is long enough.
Scrape The Old Caulk
The next step is to remove the old caulk after it loosens. You should only need a traditional over-the-counter caulk removal tool for this. If the old caulk does not come off, do not attempt to remove the caulk with sharper tools such as a knife or strong blade as it may be dangerous and the chance of damaging the surrounding surface will be much greater. For caulk that cannot be removed easily, consider calling a commercial caulking professional for assistance. With that said, the caulk should come off rather easily in long strips.
Clean the Surfaces
After removing the old caulk, you can remove any remaining pieces with a putty knife. Once complete, it is time to clean the surface to prepare it for the new caulk. You can use alcohol or an alcohol-based cleaning solution to clean the surfaces from which you removed the caulk.
Dirt, mold, mildew and other contaminants have a tendency to develop in the areas where old caulk exists. If there is a concern with mold or mildew, you can sanitize the area and kill any contaminants with a bleach solution. Be sure to dilute the bleach with water to avoid damaging or staining the surface. Approximately a 1/3 cup of bleach for every gallon of water is ideal.
Replace The Old Caulk With New Caulk
After you have removed the old caulk, you can replace the caulk. Keep in mind that applying caulk for a residential home is different than caulking for commercial buildings. Commercial caulking is a more complex job, and it is recommended to hire a caulking professional in these situations.
Through professional caulking, you can ensure your building is secure from water damage and looks great. The results from a professional often last longer as well, reducing the need to remove the new caulk sooner than expected. If you do choose to apply the new caulk yourself, be sure to have precautions in place for optimal safety and effectiveness.
Schedule An Appointment With The Caulking Experts
Get in touch with our team at Waterproof Caulking and Restoration today to learn more about how to remove caulking from commercial buildings. Our team can help you secure your commercial property by removing your old caulk and applying new caulk. Whether you simply want to improve the appearance, energy-efficiency and comfort inside of your commercial building or are taking on a renovation project, feel free to reach out for professional caulking assistance.