Tip: Mind the Gap When it Comes to Building Maintenance

Buildings and parking garages are made up of many different systems and components. And just like a subway station where a gap is present between the train car and the platform, there are gaps between the different building components. If the gaps are not addressed, they can lead to water intrusion and structural damage. That’s why it’s always important to “Mind the Gap” when it comes to building maintenance, according to Western Specialty Contractors’ experts.

Where a window meets the surrounding wall, there’s a gap. Where a roof meets a building’s wall, there’s a gap. Where window glass meets the metal frame, there’s a gap. These gaps are usually filled with caulking or sealant to keep water from damaging interior spaces. The caulking or sealant used to fill these gaps are the weakest links in your building. In fact, failed caulking is the No. 1 cause of water issues in all types of buildings.

On a typical building or parking garage, these gaps only account for about 1% of the total surface area, but they’re responsible for 90% of all the water intrusion problems. Therefore, if you can keep this 1% of your building’s surface area functioning correctly, you’ll prevent 90% of all future water intrusion issues.

Mind the gaps with routine inspections. Inspect building caulk joints and sealants at least once a year for any signs of deterioration, which could include cracking, flaking, or missing material. If caulk deterioration is present, have the damaged caulk removed and replaced immediately by an experienced specialty contractor.

Source: Western Specialty Contractors