Urethane caulking services are one way to make your commercial building impervious to air and water intrusion. A sealant must be used to cover any eventual gaps and holes that are left from the construction process or created by time. There are two types of sealants typically used for the task: silicone and polyurethane-based caulks. On the surface, the difference between the two is their chemical composition, but why one—urethane—is better for most commercial applications goes deeper than that.
We’ve talked before about how choosing the correct caulking for your building is essential to maintaining its structural integrity. In this post, we’ll take a more in-depth look at polyurethane caulking, its benefits, and when you should use it.
What is Urethane Caulking?
Polyurethane is an organic compound that’s:
- Moisture, chemical, and corrosion-resistant.
- Flexible enough to withstand cracking and loosening.
- Available in an industrial strength-version, making it extremely useful as a heavy-duty adhesive, sealant, and caulk.
Polyurethane sealants are amongst the most widely used for both newly constructed and existing buildings. They’re primarily used in horizontal joints or non-sagging, vertical applications, including:
- Expansion and control joints
- Foundation
- Gutters
- Isolation joints
- Roofing
The Benefits of Polyurethane Caulking
Protecting your commercial building’s envelope is essential to its structural integrity. Urethane caulk bridges gaps on glass, concrete, ceramic, masonry, metals, and plastic. And unlike silicone caulks, it also binds to wood. Other benefits include:
- Keeping mold and other pathogens from growing.
- Excellent waterproofing that can lower maintenance and repair costs.
- Superior tear and abrasion resistance.
- Capable of being used in a broad range of joint sizes.
While silicone is a joint compound, polyurethane is a true sealant. Its adhesion compatibility with multiple construction substrate, including wood, make it suitable for most applications. Presto Restoration’s urethane caulking services are your best choice for areas containing joints that will be painted over or covered with an elastomeric coating. And while the average life expectancy of urethane caulking is less than that of silicone, it can represent significant cost savings.
When To Use Polyurethane Caulk
No matter what their makeup, sealants are essential to transitioning a building’s dissimilar materials in areas such as:
- Control joints
- EIFS
- Foundations
- Precast
- Window-to-wall connections
Ensuring these vulnerable areas of properly sealed helps prevent moisture and water ingress and damage. Regular inspections and fixing minor sealant issues now help prevent bigger problems later on, including a complete facade restoration. All the commercial caulking products Presto uses can withstand just about any hostile environment.
Hire a Professional for Urethane Caulking Services
If you want the best return for your investment, all building envelope services should be performed by experts who have the experience and expertise to identify the appropriate type of caulk to use during the waterproofing process. Employing an expert like Presto simplifies the decision-making process and eliminates any guesswork.
Maintaining your high-rise office building, industrial structure, healthcare facility, historic structure, business park, hotel, multi-family complex, business park, or other commercial building is a huge undertaking. Sealants are sometimes overlooked in this essential process, but they’re crucial to protecting any building’s integrity. When designing a maintenance program, be sure to include sealant joint inspections to prevent costly issues down the line.
Because even the highest-performing sealants can fail with improper application, incompatible materials, or insufficient substrate preparation, it’s crucial to work with a caulking service that provides the exceptional waterproofing and protective services you need to keep your commercial structure looking great, no matter what its age.
Why Choose Presto Restoration
Like most professional services companies, not all commercial building waterproofing contractors are created equal. With nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, Presto Restoration offers expert advice for all your commercial sealing and coating needs. Our polyurethane caulking services are ideal for a wide range of sealant needs, and our skilled technicians are trained in the proper preparation and application of urethane caulk. We’ve provided commercial caulking services on countless properties nationwide and are ready to tackle even the most complex waterproofing jobs.
If you’d like to further discuss the benefits of waterproofing your commercial structure, Presto offers consulting services that help diagnose problems and develop solutions that provide long-lasting results. On-site, our skilled technicians deliver efficient and safe services for any caulking project. If you’re ready to get started on commercial caulking services call us at 1-800-785-9927 or request a quote.
