Inter-panel seams: sealing and insulation. Technology and process of sealing inter-panel joints

Sealing joints is one of the important technological processes in the construction of panel structures. Over time, inter-panel joints and joints begin to break down, resulting in mold, leaks and building fungus, which leads to freezing of the walls.

The main reasons for the destruction of inter-panel butt welds

There are the following reasons for leakage of joints:

• Non-compliance with the construction of technological norms;
• Gradual displacement of wall panels due to uneven settling of structural elements;
• Deformation of panels due to temperature fluctuations;
• The effect on the sealed joints of atmospheric factors, such as "acid precipitation", snow and rain.

Sealing materials

For sealing and insulation of inter-panel joints, special sealing mastics and self-adhesive tape are used. These sealants have different grades, constituent elements and a different field of application.

The main concomitant material necessary for sealing joints is the sealant, which fulfills the heat-protective function, and is also the basis for laying mastic and self-adhesive tape.

The best seals are the compositions, the basis of which is the foaming polyurethane (PPU). Due to the listed factors, the inter-panel joints are destroyed and deformed, which leads to rapid freezing of the external walls during the winter period, as well as their flow during heavy rains. As a result, the interior of the building can not only deteriorate, but the risk of morbidity among people who are there is significantly increased.

The main types of sealing joints

• Primary sealing is used in new buildings where treatment with a sealant has not yet been carried out.
• Secondary sealing consists in repairing the joints of the building, which is already in operation at the moment.

Primary Sealing

This type of sealing, as a rule, is carried out in panel houses immediately after the completion of their construction.

Inter-panel joints of new buildings are processed in 3 stages:

1. Empty interpanel cavities are filled with heat-protective polyurethane foam.
2. The inter-panel seam is treated with an innovative warmer "Vilaterm", which is a fine-mesh, light enough material of white color.
3. In addition, the seam is sealed from the outside with a special mastic, which has good water-repellent properties.

The use of these three steps allows the creation of a so-called "warm seam", which allows reliable heat and waterproofing in all weather conditions.

Secondary Sealing

It is carried out in buildings where intergranular seams have been subjected to this processing process for some time. Secondary sealing is best done in 6-8 years after the initial warming. Inter-panel seams, which are re-sealed, are sealed by coating the old sealer layer with a new one.

Inter-panel seams. Sealing: general rules

Depending on the state of the seam, secondary sealing is divided into two types.

If its condition is satisfactory, if the old heaters are not significantly damaged, the secondary treatment can be limited only by applying a new outer layer of waterproofing mastic. If you clearly see all the signs of severe damage to the inter-panel joints, then when they are re-sealed, certain work is required. These include: opening the seam, removing all old fillers that have become unusable, and carrying out the entire complex of sealing operations, as in the initial sealing.

When performing repair work on panel joints, it is necessary to follow certain rules:

• In case of panel joints in the end wall, the inter-panel joints of the entire facade of the building are sealed, as well as the joints between the end face panels and the longitudinal wall.
• If the vertical joint of the longitudinal facade occurs, all vertical seams are sealed throughout the entire height of the house. In addition, all horizontal joints adjacent to it are subjected to sealing.
• If a defect is found in the horizontal joint, all joints located on three or four vertical rows of panels must be sealed.
• When repairing the panel joints, one should take into account the fact that in the joints the sealants are stretched and compressed. This is affected by temperature fluctuations, shrinkage and "creep" of concrete, as well as loads that occur when the entire building is drafted. And with an increase in the ratio of the thickness of the layer of the hermetic means to the width of the inter-panel seam, such loads become stronger. For this reason, the sealer layer should be half the width of the joint.

Sealing inter-panel seams. Technology

Inter-panel seams, the sealing of which should occur as qualitatively as possible, are processed in several stages. To conduct the most durable sealing of the expansion joints, it is necessary to open them.

We propose to consider step-by-step repair of joints of panels with opening.

The sealing of butt seams in panel houses given below is called a "warm seam". Its main difference is the application to the base of the seams of a layer of special heat-shielding foam.

This repair of seams has passed a large number of tests and has been successfully used in many countries of the world for a long time.

Step-by-step sealing of the joints at home

Let's consider how to warm inter-panel seams.

1. At the first stage of the work, before the repair of joints, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory measures. They consist of a thorough examination of inter-panel joints and preparation of the surface. This includes:

• Cleaning of surfaces from paint, dust, dirt and peeling panels;
• Removal from the seams and joints of the old, worn out insulation and sealing means;
• Cracking.

2. Carefully fill the inter-panel seams with heat-insulating polyurethane foam (mounting foam). It should be noted that this material has the property, during solidification, to expand and thereby fill the existing void inside the seam. Cleaning and sealing of joints in buildings can be performed either manually or mechanically. Before starting work, it is necessary to check the surface of the inter-panel joints. It must be dry.

3. Warming of inter-panel joints by installing a "Wilaterm" heater, which is manufactured in the form of hollow tubes. It is widely used in the repair of joints in panel buildings. In its properties, the material has good elasticity, dense structure, it is quite convenient to work with. Lay "Vilaterm" on a layer of foam, which is not yet frozen. In diameter, it should be 25-30% larger than the width of the seam.

The lining of the insulation is made without breaks along the entire length so that there is room for applying sealant from the top of the heater.

4. The last stage - sealing joints with a sealing mastic (water repellent sealant), which closes pre-packaged insulation.

This completes the sealing of the inter-panel joints!

The sealing of joints between the panels of the house is carried out in the temperature range from -10 ° C to + 30 ° C. In this case, there must be no precipitation, otherwise the sealing of the joints may be short-lived.

Interpanel joints, sealing which is performed at a height above the 2nd floor, are sealed by qualified industrial climbers.