Caulking & waterproofing
Wet glazing services in San Diego
Silicone sealing between window and frame when old gaskets no longer keep water out, on new and existing buildings.
Wet glazing helps with
- Shrunken or weathered window gaskets
- Curtain wall and window systems
- Skylight leaks
Overview
Sealing windows when gaskets fail
Many commercial windows are assembled with a rubber gasket, also called a dry seal, which must press against the glass to keep moisture out of the window system. Over time these gaskets shrink and are damaged by the weather.
When the gaskets can no longer keep water out, we recommend wet glazing between the window and the frame. The name comes from the silicone sealant, which is wet when it comes out of the gun: instead of a gasket installed dry, the seal is installed wet.
After we apply the wet glazing, we finish it so it looks consistent on the inside and outside of the window.
Curtain walls and window systems
A lot of water gets into commercial buildings through gaps in window systems. We wet-glaze different types of curtain wall and window systems on new and existing structures, and wet glazing can also fix skylight leaks and other water intrusion through gaps in the system.
Service at a glance
- Best for
- Commercial windows whose gaskets no longer keep water out
- What it is
- Silicone sealant installed wet between the window and the frame
- Where
- Curtain walls and window systems on new and existing buildings, and skylight leaks
- Service family
- Concrete Caulking/Waterproofing
Window seals
Wet glazing, dry gaskets and perimeter caulking
A window has more than one seal. Wet glazing seals the glass to the frame; perimeter caulking seals the frame to the wall. Knowing which one has failed decides the repair.
| Seal | Where it is | What it does | When it is considered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry glazing gasket | Between the glass and the frame | A rubber gasket pressed against the glass, used to assemble many commercial windows | It is the original seal; over time it can shrink and weather |
| Wet glazing | Between the glass and the frame | Silicone sealant applied wet, finished to look consistent inside and out | When the gaskets can no longer keep water out |
| Perimeter caulking | Between the window frame and the wall | A joint sealant around the outside of the frame | When the sealant around the frame has deteriorated |
Before sealing
Finding the leak before choosing the fix
Water at a window can come through the glazing, the perimeter joint or a nearby wall joint. Sealing the wrong one leaves the leak in place, so the source is found first.
Leak inspection
We look for water intrusion with thermal imaging and a visual inspection of the joints, then prepare a photo report describing the issues and a solution. If a leak is not visible, the area is water-tested to find where it is coming in.
Glass, frame and sealant
Silicone suits glass-to-metal joints, which is why it is used for wet glazing. Old, failed sealant is removed and the surfaces are cleaned so the new silicone can bond, and the sealant has to be compatible with any sealant already on the window.
See silicone caulking.
Warning signs
Signs window gaskets are no longer sealing
Gasket problems often show up slowly. These signs suggest the dry seal is no longer doing its job.
Shrunken gaskets
Gaskets that have shrunk away from the glass, often leaving gaps at the corners of the frame.
Weathered rubber
Gaskets that have become hard, cracked or brittle from long exposure to sun and weather.
Water inside the frame
Water on sills or inside the frame after rain, or leaks around skylights.
FAQ
Wet glazing questions
How is wet glazing different from perimeter caulking?
Wet glazing seals the glass to the window frame where a gasket used to do that job. Perimeter caulking seals the gap between the frame and the wall. A leak can come from either, so the source is confirmed before sealing.
Can existing windows be wet-glazed?
Yes. We wet-glaze curtain wall and window systems on both new and existing buildings when the original gaskets no longer keep water out.
Can wet glazing help with skylight leaks?
Yes. Wet glazing can also address skylight leaks and other water getting in through gaps in a glazing system, once the leak has been traced.
What sealant is used for wet glazing?
Silicone. It is applied wet from the gun between the glass and the frame and suits glass-to-metal joints.
Areas served
Serving homes and businesses across Southern California
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Riverside County
- Los Angeles County
Free estimate
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- Southern CaliforniaSan Diego, Orange, Riverside & Los Angeles counties