News

Concrete, Masonry, Sealant: How to Approach Minor Exterior Building Repairs

Posted on November 27, 2023 by a1_admin

As the saying goes, “Little things can become big problems.” Small cracks or separations in concrete and masonry can quickly evolve into larger, more expensive repairs if not addressed promptly. Addressing these repairs rapidly and correctly is crucial for prolonging the building’s lifespan and ensuring safety. Minor repairs on concrete and masonry may seem straightforward. However, the type, size, and cause of the crack may call for a specific approach to fix the issue and mitigate more damage.

Three Strategies for Concrete Repair

Embarking on concrete repair requires not just identifying the issue but also selecting the most effective method to address it. Here, we will outline three proven strategies for concrete repair: Clean and Fill, Epoxy Injection, and Polyurethane Injection, detailing how and when each method can provide optimal results.

Clean and Fill

The “Clean and Fill” method is a staple for minor exterior repairs, particularly effective for small cracks and separations in concrete and masonry. When done right, this technique thoroughly cleans the damaged area to remove any loose material or debris, thus ensuring a strong adhesion for the repair materials. Utilizing low-viscosity sealants or fillers allows for deeper penetration into narrow cracks, providing a comprehensive fill that closely mimics the properties of the original surface. The choice of these materials not only facilitates a quick and straightforward application but also offers long-lasting protection against further damage, preserving the structural integrity and appearance of the exterior elements.

Epoxy Injection

Epoxy injection aims not just to fill cracks but also to create a bond that restores the concrete beyond its pre-cracked strength. Best in dry settings, the process begins with diligent cleaning and selecting the best epoxy formula. At Valcourt, our technicians meticulously apply the epoxy to ensure complete penetration and a monolithic bond. With a focus on proper curing, our service ensures the epoxy repair is as enduring as it is efficient, providing a cost-effective alternative to significant structural replacement.

Polyurethane injection

Polyurethane injection stands as a versatile solution in the realm of minor exterior repairs, particularly noted for its efficacy in sealing wet and leaking cracks. This method involves injecting reactive polyurethane resins that expand upon contact, offering a robust seal even in the presence of moisture. The resin’s expansive nature means it can fill voids, conforming to the irregularities within a crack, and does not necessitate water to activate. Its non-shrinking, closed-cell foam composition ensures that once it sets, it maintains a flexible yet water-tight barrier that adapts to the natural movements of the building materials, providing a durable fix to prevent water ingress and the resultant damage.

Avoiding Cracks Through Effective Maintenance and Mitigation

The nature and composition of concrete and masonry make them susceptible to cracking. By focusing on three critical areas—regular inspections and maintenance plans, effective mitigation strategies, and partnering with a skilled building service provider—we can illustrate how to intercept problems before they escalate into significant concerns.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance Plans

Instituting a schedule of regular inspections and adhering to a detailed maintenance plan is foundational to the longevity of any building. Routine checks can reveal early signs of wear and tear, allowing for timely interventions that prevent minor issues from becoming major structural problems. A maintenance plan acts as a roadmap, providing clear instructions and schedules for upkeep, which can extend the life of the building’s exterior elements and reduce the likelihood of unexpected repair needs.

Effective Mitigation Strategies

Understanding and implementing effective mitigation strategies is critical to safeguard against potential damage. This involves identifying at-risk areas and applying measures such as waterproofing, using protective coatings, and ensuring proper drainage around the structure. These strategies reduce the exposure of concrete and masonry to harsh environmental conditions, thereby mitigating the risk of damage.

Partner with a Building Service Provider

A crucial component in maintaining the exterior of a building is the partnership with a reliable building service provider. A provider with a track record of excellence brings expertise, precision, and the latest technologies to your maintenance efforts. They ensure the highest standards of maintenance and repair work by offering tailored solutions that fit the specific needs of your building.

Securing Structural Longevity Through Expert Repairs and Proactive Maintenance

Clean and fill, epoxy injection, and polyurethane injection are vital in repairing and reinforcing your buildings. When you pair these methods with preventative maintenance and mitigation strategies and partner with the right building service provider like Valcourt, these approaches form a robust defense against the natural wear and tear inflicted upon concrete and masonry over time.

Valcourt’s services go beyond mere repairs, encompassing a comprehensive suite of maintenance and inspection options designed to maintain your building’s integrity. Our experts specialize in a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

Customized maintenance plans based on the building’s specific needs.
Application of protective coatings and waterproofing solutions.
Advanced repair techniques utilizing the latest industry standards and materials.

Proactively protect your investment with Valcourt’s expert services. From precision repairs to preventative maintenance, we have the expertise to ensure your building stands firm against the test of time. Contact Valcourt today for a comprehensive assessment and quote, and partner with us to safeguard your property’s future.

Caulking & Sealing Commercial Buildings: Why It’s Important to Use Expert Services

Posted on January 4, 2023 by a1_admin

Your commercial building is an essential component of your success, and it is your command center, public face, and a sense of pride for your employees. Protecting your building is of the utmost importance, which is why commercial building service professionals are crucial for maintaining such a significant investment.

Expert caulking and sealing protect your asset by sealing off gaps and cracks that might result in air, moisture, and pests penetrating your commercial building.

Why Use Caulking/Sealing?

Every building is susceptible to gaps and cracks forming between different materials. When moisture penetrates your facility, it further deteriorates and compromises the structure, opening the door to even more severe problems. Air entering your building causes uncomfortable drafts that make energy bills much higher.

Caulking the exterior of your commercial building remedies the normal wear and tear that comes with seasonal contraction and expansion. As old caulk loses its elasticity, it is necessary to replace it to maintain the protective shield that is your building’s exterior.

As exterior caulking reinforces your building’s protective shield, interior commercial caulking prevents drafts and water damage on the inside. Many areas of your building’s interior need a regular caulk refresh, including the following:

Plumbing fixtures
Expansion joints
Control joints
Baseboard and trim
Tubs and showers
Countertops
Vents and pipes
Areas where different materials meet (gas and electrical entrances, air conditioners)

Sealing includes weatherproofing concerns that go beyond caulking. Just as building expansion and contraction impact joints and materials, so are surfaces like windows. Reglazing window systems with commercial window sealant and addressing skylights and curtain walls prevent air, moisture, and pests from entering the building at those crucial points.

Complete waterproofing goes beyond just caulking windows, and services will include:

Traffic coatings
Expansion joints
Sealants
Epoxy sealants
Repellants
Wall coatings
Membranes
Deck coatings
Chemical grouting
Glass caulking
Wall caulking
Commercial window caulking exterior

It sounds like a lot but bringing in commercial building caulking pros will ensure every external and internal gap gets sealed.

What are the Different Types of Caulking and Sealing?

The variety of building areas and surface types that require commercial caulking and sealing services makes it necessary to ensure you use the proper caulk and sealant. Building services professionals will evaluate the different types of caulk and apply the appropriate one depending on the application.

Silicone and polyurethane calking products are classified as elastomeric materials, as both fill gaps and allow for contraction and expansion. Despite being similar in their classification and general uses, these materials have significant differences, impacting their suitability for different applications.

The most significant consideration is how the materials will break down as time passes. The two primary concerns of performance and life-cycle costs are applied to determine the benefits of silicone versus polyurethane-based sealants.

Silicone

Silicone is an inorganic material, giving it an advantage in areas exposed to UV light from the sun. Because it is inorganic, it is less reactive to UV light. The lower UV reactivity of silicone makes it the superior choice for your commercial building’s facade.

Silicone also offers a much longer lifespan due to its excellent resistance to UV light and temperature fluctuations. Many manufacturers provide 20-year warranties, making silicone caulk vs. sealant the perfect choice when durability matters.

An extended lifespan and lower reactivity to UV light and temperature fluctuations mean a significantly higher price for silicone sealants over polyurethane. Your commercial building services company will weigh the trade-offs of cost and expected sealant lifespan when determining which sealant is appropriate for each application.

Polyurethane

As an organic material, the sun, elements, and temperature break down polyurethane much faster than silicone. Typically, polyurethane’s lifespan will max out at ten years, reflecting this shorter lifespan in its much lower price.

When weighing silicone vs. polyurethane caulk, silicone will always be the best investment for areas exposed to the elements or subject to more variation and use.

Are Your Current Sealants Still Effective? When To Replace

Depending on your sealants’ location, type, and application, they can break down at differing rates. If polyurethane was used extensively in the past, it could break down and crack over a significantly shorter period.

It could be time to replace sealants if it has been some time since you last had them inspected. One way to confirm the need for a replacement is if you see a loss of elasticity and separation from the surfaces. Other indicators would be visible cracks or splitting.

Exterior sealant might show visible evidence of weathering, including chalking, blistering, discoloration, or cracking.

Of course, the best estimate of sealant effectiveness will come from calling commercial building professionals for a comprehensive inspection.

Working With an Expert for Commercial Wall Coating

Your company’s commercial building is essential to the organization’s identity. Maintaining one of your most important assets is a crucial task that requires expert attention.

Every wall is different based on the construction approach, the material used, and exposure to the elements. An established and expert building services provider knows how to identify issues that could become more extensive problems and remedy them.

Proper caulking and sealant application ensure the building continues to serve its essential purpose best. Turn to experts to ensure your commercial building is in its best shape and focus on what you do best, running your business.

Valcourt Ensures Expert Protection for Your Building

Valcourt is the building services provider for property managers and building owners. We have 35+ years of experience providing industry-leading waterproofing, window cleaning, and facade restoration services.

Caulking and sealing are essential components of building maintenance. Contact us at A1Orange today to ensure your building keeps water, air, and pests where they should be; outside.

The Benefits of Commercial External Wall Coating Services

Posted on December 16, 2022 by a1_admin

Walls are an essential part of any building, and their integrity and strength are critical barriers that prevent the interior from being exposed to the elements outside. Walls also accentuate the cosmetic and decorative beauty of architecture, and it’s the exterior surface that everyone recognizes when they get a chance to see it. Walls need protection, just like any other architectural surface on a building. That’s why exterior wall coatings are so important for commercial buildings and why property owners across the United States partner with building service companies specializing in exterior wall coatings. This article looks at some of the benefits of maintaining your exterior walls, offering readers a summary of the type of service options available to protect your structure.

What are Wall Coatings?

Wall coatings refer to a specialized decorative layer that is applied directly to the exterior surface of a building. Applying external coatings protects walls from the constant bombardment they receive while being exposed to the outside world. Dirt, ultraviolet rays, moisture, salts, chemicals, and other debris can cause building surfaces to crack, break, blister, chip, warp, and erode.

External wall coatings principally act as a moisture barrier and line of defense from outside exposure; however, they also enhance the architectural beauty of a structure to improve the building’s overall aesthetics. Wall coating systems are generally much thicker than a layer of paint, providing a weather-resistant barrier that helps increase the lifespan of the commercial wall. The thickness of the wall coating also helps cover up any cosmetic blemishes that may appear on the building. In other words, wall coatings serve a critically important function of extending the longevity of your wall’s structure and act as a makeup to give your building a facelift.

What are the Different Types of External Wall Coatings Available?

The following is a list of the different types of wall coatings that building services professionals offer to property owners on their commercial walls.

Acrylic Coating

Water-based, low-VOC coatings provide excellent adhesion and durability. They are commonly used in commercial and residential buildings to protect against moisture, dirt, and staining.

Epoxy Coating

These two-part chemical coatings provide exceptional protection against chemical and physical wear. They are highly durable and resilient, making them ideal for commercial applications.

Urethane Coating

Solvent-based coatings are highly resistant to abrasion and chemical degradation. They provide outstanding protection against UV radiation, making them ideal for exterior applications.

Polyurea Coating

These two-part chemical coatings provide outstanding protection against water and chemical damage. They are highly elastic, making them ideal for commercial applications that require flexibility.

Fluoropolymer Coating

These solvent-based coatings provide exceptional protection against UV radiation, making them ideal for exterior wall applications. They are highly resistant to corrosion and provide superior adhesion and durability.

The Benefits of Exterior Wall Coatings

The facade of your commercial building is key to understanding what type of wall coating is right for your property. That’s why working closely with a building services provider that specializes in commercial wall coatings is important. Look for companies with experience understanding the proper surface preparation necessary for the various types of external wall coatings your building needs. Trained building technicians can help building owners prolong the life of their structure, improve the exterior appearance, and raise the market value of their property.

Protect your Building this Winter with Valcourt

When property owners look for help protecting the physical and cosmetic integrity of their building, they look for a company with industry knowledge in building services that specifically provide external wall coating systems. That is why thousands of property managers around the United States turn to Valcourt. Valcourt is the leading exterior maintenance company specializing in restoration, waterproofing, and external wall coating services. Their company combines over 35 years of building services experience, along with a dedicated team of technicians that offer a no-hassle consultative approach to customers looking for the best solution to their restoration needs.

Don’t brush off the importance of your building’s exterior walls! Connect with an expert at A1Orange today!