Lancaster County is located in South Central Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River. It is home to over 5 lakh residents with rich history, agricultural roots, large Amish Community and 60 municipalities. Lancaster has a humid-continental climate, characterized by four distinct seasons from warm to hot summers and cold to snowy winters. Precipitation is usually distributed throughout the year. This kind of weather conditions generally bring along the complex issues of wear and tear of exterior walls. Therefore, exterior wall sealing occupies a central place while carrying out any construction work in Lancaster, PA.
Importance of exterior wall sealing
The exterior walls of any building, complex, residential property or any construction is very crucial as it protects the interiors and also the inhabitants residing and working in from sun, pollution, rain, ice, hail, snow, storms, strong winds and ultraviolet rays. Therefore, Be it Lancaster, PA or any other county exterior wall sealing is a salient feature of all kinds of construction work.
The significance of exterior wall sealing
- To keep water penetration under check: Water seepage through cracks and holes in the exterior walls may lead to moisture damage, metal corrosion, rotting of woods, and degradation of other construction material that has been used. This may endanger the robustness of the structural framework and thus, pose a risk to the lives of people inside the building. Thus, efficient sealing techniques for walls help in controlling the water infiltration and protects the building from its potent damage.
- Helps to maintain the structural Integrity: Exterior wall insulation, waterproofing techniques and moisture barrier installation help protect the building from dampness, wall-material deterioration and potential collapse.
- Increases the durability and longevity: A high-grade sealing techniques for walls help protect them against various environmental factors such as rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the duration and life of the building increases, cutting the costs on exterior wall maintenance and also extending the time between major repair and renovations.
- Enhances the energy efficiency: Exterior wall sealing and waterproofing techniques ensures that there is no leakage of air from inside the building to outside and vice-versa, thus, maintaining a constant interior temperature. This helps in enhancing the energy efficiency of the HVAC systems.
Deterioration of the exterior walls
The above-mentioned points give us a clear understanding of the importance of exterior walls in a construction work. Even a well-constructed building with superior exterior wall sealing, waterproofing techniques and moisture barrier installations may require repair and renovations at regular intervals of time.
The probable reasons for the deterioration of the exterior walls are:
- Water Intrusion: Water infiltration through cracks, poor mortar joints, improper drainage fittings or seepage through faulty kitchen or bathroom pipes and poor waterproofing techniques may lead to moisture retention within the exterior walls. This causes dampness which eventually leads to growth of molds, decay of construction material like wood, masonry, metals and eventually structural failure.
- Staining and Spotting: Water retention or moisture in the exterior walls provide a conducive environment for the organic matter such as algae, molds, moss and lichens that may build greenish-grayish spots on the walls. Thus, improper moisture barrier installation promotes biological growth, compromising the structural integrity causing discoloration and damage.
- Efflorescence: It is the appearance of white powdery substance in the masonry walls or brick work. It is also a result of improper waterproofing techniques. When the water penetrates into the brickwork, concrete or mortar, it causes the mineral salts to dissolve. The dissolved salts then seep to the surface of the masonry. The water then evaporates, leaving behind white powdery deposits of crystalline salts.
- Mortar deterioration: Harsh climatic conditions, exposure to chemicals in the environment and pollution may cause the decay of mortar. Mortar is the binding material for walls. Its deterioration may make the exterior wall sealing vulnerable, weakening the structural integrity of the walls.
- Deep cracks by the tree roots: Planting trees near the walls of the external walls or the boundary walls of the building may, at times, result in penetration of roots into the bricks and exert great pressure which may eventually lead to development of deep cracks. This may put the exterior wall maintenance at stake, causing water infiltration.
- Contraction and expansion of building materials: The building materials may expand or contract, based on their quality and characteristics, due to moisture retention and temperature variations. E.g. bricks expand over time, concrete shrinks and steel expands when it gets corroded. These may result in cracking, peeling, spalling or flaking of the walls. If these are left unchecked for a long time it may lead to serious damages and high exterior wall maintenance expenditures.
Essential steps and techniques for exterior wall sealing
Exterior walls of a home or any building form the most important part of the construction . They lay a strong foundation of structural unification. Only a robust exterior would promise a strong and secure interior. Any compromise to the building envelope may pose serious hazards to the structural integrity and the quality of life of the people inhabiting the building. Therefore, exterior wall maintenance is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of building’s life and the lives of its occupants.
The important steps in sealing techniques for walls are discussed here below.
Address the cracks or gaps in exterior wall
The first step is the thorough inspection of the exterior wall to identify any cracks or gaps that could lead to water seepage into the walls. Silicone or polyurethane caulks are mostly used for exterior applications due to their durability and water resistance.
Clean the gutters
Clogged gutter may cause water to overflow down the walls. Also, gutters retain rainwater which gets gradually absorbed by the wooden materials used in the walls. This may lead to rotten wood, fungal and mold growths and dampness. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the gutters twice a year to prevent the potential damage.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is a process designed to protect the walls of a building from water infiltration. In any construction work, waterproofing techniques play an important role to protect the walls from potential damage caused when the moisture gets trapped inside the walls.
For exterior wall insulation various waterproofing techniques are available:
- Cement based waterproofing: Best suitable for buildings in humid places. It is highly water-resistant and adheres to the concrete and masonry permanently.
- Liquid waterproofing membrane: This technique involves applying the liquid waterproofing material directly onto the walls. Some common liquid waterproofing materials include polyurethane, acrylic, elastomeric and bituminous.
- Membrane waterproofing: It is one of the most preferred and popular waterproofing techniques available. It is a layer of water-tight material that lies on the surface to check water penetration. The membranes can be made of liquid material or are available in sheet forms like torch-on bitumen, PVC, butynol or peel and stick.
However, after choosing the right waterproofing method for your exterior wall, it is essential that you conduct a water-tightening test. It is crucial to evaluate and check the effectiveness of waterproofing products. Moreover, waterproofing works best when done at the time of construction. Using a high-quality waterproofing method in the initial stage using sand and cement is highly effective.
You can even use a waterproofing coating before painting the exterior walls. This will help in preventing water leakage. Waterproofing forms a thick elastic film that blocks water and offers excellent waterproofing to the walls.
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)
These are multi-layered exterior cladding systems designed to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainable thermal insulation of the buildings. It is also referred to as Exterior Wall Insulation Systems (EWIS) and involves the use of expanded polystyrene, mineral wood, polyurethane foam, phenolic foam which is topped off with cement bases, mineral or synthetic finish and plaster.
Installation of vapor barriers
Vapor barriers are also a type of sealing techniques for walls. These are installed on the interior side of the exterior walls to damp proof and resist moisture on floor, ceilings and exterior walls. They basically use elastomeric sheats, aluminum foils or polyethylene plastic sheets. They are less effective than waterproofing membranes as they have varying degrees of permeability.
House Wrap
House wrap is a thin, light-weight sheet of synthetic material that is used over sheathing before siding installation. It acts as a secondary barrier against water infiltration. Typical building wraps include asphalt-saturated felt or kraft paper, woven or nonwoven polymeric, and liquid-applied polymer-asphalt membranes.
The above mentioned are some of the essential techniques for exterior wall sealing. Despite all the sealing techniques for walls, time catches up with all the constructions. Therefore, regular inspection and checking the exterior and interior of the constructions for any cracks and faults is essential to keep away major renovations and potential hazards.
Basement Finishing, Lancaster, PA
Residing in any corner of the world, exterior wall sealing including waterproofing techniques, moisture barrier installation and exterior wall insulation form an inseparable part of any construction work be it a commercial building or your own home.
While living in a beautiful place like Lancaster, PA exterior wall maintenance while upkeeping the interior is equally important. Lancaster, PA is marked by humid-continental climate, therefore, exterior wall maintenance and weather proofing your homes and buildings are quite significant. Basement Finishing is, thus, your trusted partner to protect your home and buildings inside-out from potential environmental and climatic conditions.
Services offered
Basement Finishing strives to deliver exceptional services to its clients, surpassing their expectations by giving them outstanding results. They offer services in both residential and commercial property construction.
Basement Finishing promise excellent services in:
- Structural Integrity
- Functional designs
- High quality insulation
- Excellent moisture barrier installation
- Electrical and lightning
- Acoustics
- Flooring options
- HVAC considerations
- High safety and security standards
While discussing the techniques for exterior wall sealing Basement Finishing has excellent solutions to offer. It specializes in providing strong Foundation Waterproofing i.e. the process of checking the water infiltration from subtle water seepage to flooding when the ground is over-saturated. It uses different types of foundation waterproofing solutions like:
- Bituminous membrane
- Polymer-modified bitumen membrane
- Self-adhesive modified bituminous membrane
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) membrane
- Polyurethane liquid polymer membrane
- Thermoplastic membrane
Exterior waterproofing is a crucial component in protecting the structure. It ensures that buildings are usable across generations. In Lancaster, PA, waterproofing techniques offered by Basement Finishing are highly distinguished making them one of the top players in sealing techniques for walls. They use exterior foundation waterproofing membranes in many applications, including walls, building decks, basements, roofing, parking areas, water tanks, tunnels, linings, etc.
Benefits of working with Basement Finishing
With over 30+ years of experience, Basement Finishing are the go-to experts in construction of any residential or commercial buildings, transforming your basements, weather proofing your home, exterior wall insulation and moisture barrier installation.
Other benefits are:
- Experienced team of experts and technicians
- Skilled artisans
- Utilize material that stands supreme in terms of quality standards and safety
- Employ advanced techniques for outstanding results
- High standards of punctuality
- Cooperative administrative team
Address
Lancaster, York, Harrisburg (PA)
Phone E-mail id
(717)821 0400 info@basementfinishing.com
Website
Concluding Remarks
Water infiltration and leakage in the walls of any building- residential or commercial negatively impacts the structural integrity and robustness. It also endangers the lives of its occupants. Water penetration into the walls also brings along many other problems like compromised thermal insulation, algae, mold growth and dampness. It is, therefore, imperative to lay a solid foundation for exterior wall sealing in an under construction building for best results.
Thus, providing the buildings with excellent exterior wall sealing and the most appropriate moisture barrier installation and waterproofing techniques enhances the safety and life of the building and also minimizes the cost of future maintenance or building facelift work.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
1. Why is exterior wall sealing important?
Exterior wall sealing is important to protect the buildings from water infiltration, air league and moisture damage. They put the structural integrity, composition and robustness at stake alongside endangering the lives of people residing inside the buildings.
2. What are different types of exterior wall sealing?
There are different types of exterior wall sealing options available like acrylic waterproofing, bituminous coating, brick sealers, pigmented exterior wall primer, polyurethane liquid polymer waterproofing, silicate-based sealers, plastic additives, etc.
3. What are common signs of water damage?
Some common signs of water damage are musty odors, algae or mold growth on walls, appearance of grayish blue patches, warping or buckling of wooden surfaces and water dripping.
4. Is waterproofing important for both interior and exterior surfaces?
Yes, waterproofing is suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces. Interior surfaces such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens benefit from waterproofing to prevent water damage and mold growth. Exterior surfaces like roofs, balconies, podiums and foundations also require waterproofing to protect against weather elements and ensure structural stability and longevity.
5. How much does it cost for exterior wall sealing?
The cost of sealing techniques for walls depend upon the types of technique used and area of the project to be covered. The cost also counts the materials used and the labor involved. Major repairs involve more extensive work that may involve hiring the professionals to get the job done. Thus may further raise the cost of exterior wall maintenance.
6. Does exterior wall sealing require maintenance?
Yes, exterior wall sealing requires periodic maintenance to ensure effective results. The exterior walls should regularly be checked for minor cracks and faults that should be addressed with immediate effect in order to avoid large renovation costs in the future.
7. How long does the exterior waterproofing last?
Lifespan of the exterior waterproofing depends on the material used, installation quality, and environmental factors. In general, expect 15-20 years for bituminous membranes, 20-30 years for PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride polymer), and 40-60 years for high-quality thermoplastics.