Caulking & waterproofing
Exterior wall caulking & waterproofing
Leak checks, joint caulking and waterproofing that help keep water out of buildings across San Diego and the surrounding areas, for residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Overview
Sealed joints help keep water out of the structure
Concrete Polishing Solutions checks for leaks and caulks exterior wall joints in San Diego and the surrounding areas. Our technicians help keep water out of buildings before it causes costly damage.
Exterior wall caulking helps stop rainwater, moisture, dust, light, heat, insects and sound from getting through cracks in wall joints and into the structure. Sealants also have to handle the expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes and earthquakes, so it pays to work with people who understand the strengths and weaknesses of different sealants and caulking techniques.
We work on residential, commercial and industrial properties, sourcing the right sealant for each joint.
Caulking & waterproofing services
Seven specialties for building exteriors
From individual joints to whole-building waterproofing, each service has its own page.
- Control Joint CaulkingSealing control joints to help protect a building exterior.Learn about Control Joint Caulking
- Elastomeric Wall CoatingsFlexible coatings that protect walls from the weather and fill small gaps.Learn about Elastomeric Wall Coatings
- Expansion Joint CaulkingSealing expansion joints, such as on parking decks, that move under load.Learn about Expansion Joint Caulking
- Silicone CaulkingA durable sealant often used to replace old caulking on commercial buildings.Learn about Silicone Caulking
- Urethane CaulkingA sealant suited to joints that will be painted or coated.Learn about Urethane Caulking
- WaterproofingWaterproofing, caulking and moisture protection, including work for general contractors.Learn about Waterproofing
- Wet GlazingSealing between window and frame when gaskets no longer keep water out.Learn about Wet Glazing
- Not sure which service you need?Tell us about your space and how it is used, and we will recommend options.Get a Free EstimateCall (619) 870-8308
Choosing a service
Which joint or seal service fits?
Start with what needs sealing: a joint in concrete, a window, a wall surface, or a leak whose source is not known yet.
| What needs sealing | Service | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Control joints in concrete walls, precast and slabs | Control joint caulking | The old joint is removed completely and new backer rod installed; silicone is the usual sealant |
| Joints that let the structure move, such as on parking decks | Expansion joint caulking | A sealant or a pre-formed joint, such as a rubber expansion joint, chosen for the joint width and movement |
| Exposed joints on commercial buildings | Silicone caulking | The usual choice for replacing old caulking, with a longer life expectancy than urethane |
| Joints that will be painted or coated | Urethane caulking | A paintable sealant, used under elastomeric coatings |
| Windows whose gaskets no longer keep water out | Wet glazing | Silicone installed wet between the window and the frame |
| Exterior wall surfaces above ground | Elastomeric wall coatings | A flexible coating that fills small gaps and helps keep water out |
| Leaks with an unknown source, and decks or balconies | Waterproofing | Leak investigation, deck coatings and waterproofing systems, matched to where water is getting in |
What we do
Exterior caulking and waterproofing services
Rain leak inspection
We look for water intrusion with thermal imaging and visual inspection of exterior joints, then prepare a photo report describing the issues and a solution. If leaks are not visible, we water-test to find the leaking area.
Wall and window joint remedial caulking
Most leaks from frames and walls come from deteriorated sealant. Joints are cleaned of old sealant, degreased and re-caulked with products suited to the substrate, joint width and environment.
Construction caulking
We work with general contractors to seal and caulk exterior joints on new construction projects.
Exterior wall waterproofing
Brick, natural stone and concrete are porous. We re-seal wall joints and apply a clear water-repellent sealer to help prevent water penetration.
Common question
What is the difference between a control joint and an expansion joint?
Both are planned joints that move, but they do different jobs, so they are sealed differently.
Control joints
A control joint is a planned line in concrete or precast where cracking from shrinkage and temperature movement is encouraged to happen. The sealant closes the joint so it can move while helping to keep water and debris out; it does not make the concrete crack-proof.
Expansion joints
An expansion joint gives a structure’s movement somewhere to go, for example as a parking deck shifts under changing loads and temperatures. Worn or debris-filled joints restrict that movement, so they are repaired or replaced.
Where joints occur
Building elements with joints
A wall joint is where building elements meet. Every exterior has many of them, and each one needs a flexible sealant that can handle movement, heat, rain and insects.
Wall cladding
The outer skin of a wall that protects it, also called paneling, made from many different materials.
GFRC panels
Glass fiber reinforced concrete: lightweight panels commonly used to clad exterior walls.
Flashing
Thin metal sheets, usually aluminum or copper, that help keep water out of a building and keep walls dry.
Molding and cornices
Molding covers gaps between exterior surfaces; cornices top a wall and help shed rainwater away from it.
Window trims and sills
Trims help keep rain out of the gaps around a window; sills slope away from the wall to help keep water out of the opening.
Canopies
Canopies over doors and windows meet the wall at joints that also need sealing.
Choosing a sealant
Common sealant types compared
Thermal expansion, UV exposure and compatibility with the substrate and other sealants all affect which sealant is right for a joint.
| Sealant | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Polyurethanes | Excellent adhesion; good weatherability; paintable; good mechanical properties; chemical resistance. | Whites may yellow with UV exposure; vinyl substrates need priming; limited temperature resistance; UV resistance varies by product. |
| Silicones | Excellent UV stability; good adhesion to many substrates; good temperature resistance; suited to glass-to-metal joints; good mold resistance. | Not paintable; only silicone sticks to silicone; can attract dirt; high moisture transmission; potential for staining. |
| Polysulfides | Good weatherability; good adhesion; paintable; chemical resistance. | May need a primer; limited high-temperature performance; low tear strength; older technology; high viscosity. |
| Acrylics | Paintable; low cost. | Limited movement capability; poor weather resistance; not recommended for exterior use. |
| Hybrids | Apply and behave like a silicone; paintable; excellent UV stability; good adhesion to many substrates. | Can be harder to apply in low temperatures; can attract dirt. |
How it works
Our remedial joint caulking process
- 01
Remove the old sealant
Old, cracked or delaminated sealant is removed completely so the new sealant can bond well.
- 02
Clean and degrease
The joint is cleaned with the two-rag method so no loose material, grease or dust is left to weaken adhesion.
- 03
Install backer rod
Backer rod or bond-breaking tape keeps the sealant at the manufacturer’s recommended size so it can flex as designed.
- 04
Apply the sealant
Sealant is applied to the correct joint width with an application gun.
- 05
Tool the joint
Special spatulas press and shape the sealant so it adheres and looks clean. Tooling is an essential step that is often skipped.
Why it matters
What water intrusion can do to a building
Mold and corrosion
Holes and cracks in exterior walls let moisture build up in the joints, where mold can grow over time. Water that reaches metal can also cause rust and corrosion of structural beams, which is expensive to fix and leaves rust stains inside and out.
Electrical hazards and costly repairs
Water leaks can travel along pipes and reach electrical wiring, creating a safety hazard. Water damage is one of the most common reasons for costly building repairs, and leaks that seem minor can do serious damage if they are ignored.
Building types
Properties we caulk and waterproof
- Apartment buildings and complexes
- Hotels
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Museums
- Churches
- Stadiums
- Warehouses
- Industrial buildings
- Homes
Warranty terms for caulking and waterproofing work are set out in your Statement of Work. See Guarantee / Warranty for general terms and exclusions.
Our work
Caulking and waterproofing on the job
Open larger photo: Worker spreading coating on a rooftop deck
Open larger photo: Light gray coated deck surface on a building terrace
Open larger photo: Worker preparing a rooftop deck surface
Open larger photo: Coated balcony deck with scored joints
Photos from Concrete Polishing Solutions projects. Select a photo to view it larger.
View the photo galleryFAQ
Caulking and waterproofing questions
Why is exterior caulking important?
Exterior caulking helps stop water and dust from getting into the joints around windows, doors, trim and flashing, and helps keep heat and sound from passing through. It also lets joints move as a building settles and as the exterior heats and cools.
How do you choose the right sealant?
We consider thermal expansion, UV exposure and compatibility with the substrate and any existing sealants. The joint width and the overall environment also matter.
What causes most leaks around windows and walls?
Typically, deteriorated sealant in window or wall joints. Those joints need to be cleaned of old sealant, degreased and re-caulked with the right product.
Areas served
Serving homes and businesses across Southern California
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Riverside County
- Los Angeles County
Free estimate
Ready to transform your concrete floor?
Share a few details about your space and the finish you have in mind, and we will help you choose the right system for your home or business.
- (619) 870-8308Call for a free estimate
- info@concretepolishingsolutions.proEmail us about your project
- Southern CaliforniaSan Diego, Orange, Riverside & Los Angeles counties