Caulking
Carciofini works with 4 main types of sealants: Silicone, Urethane, Self Leveling Epoxy, and Security Sealants
Silicone Sealants
Silicone caulking materials are made up of non-organic compounds which will far outlast a urethane sealant, but are typically higher in cost. In ideal situations an exterior joint sealed with Silicone will last roughly 15-20 years.
There are two types of Silicone sealants
• Acid Cure – for mold/mildew resistance (used in bathrooms, kitchens, and food processing facilities)
• Neutral cure – for excellent movement and adhesion (used on metal panels, glass, brick, block & concrete)
Urethane Sealants
Urethane caulking materials are generally used on exterior flat work and vertical masonry or concrete. It is available in self leveling or non-sagging formulas, has good adhesion to porous materials, and is non-staining. Under typical conditions urethane will last about 9-11 years on the exterior of a building.
Epoxy Sealants
Self Leveling Epoxy joint filler was developed to fill and protect joints in industrial concrete floors that are subjected to hard wheeled material handling traffic and heavy loads. The main purpose of Epoxy joint filler is to protect the edges of the joints. It’s a great material but does come with limitations. It cannot be used in true expansion joints, exterior joints, or in areas subject to extreme chemical exposure.
Security Sealants
Security Sealants are most often used in correctional facilities but are also seen in Schools and hospitals. They are epoxy based sealants that are “pick proof” to prevent tampering and vandalism that may endanger children, patients, or security guards. The limitations of this material include extremely limited movement capabilities. Security Sealants also require installation in locations free from precipitation.
Firestopping
There are several reasons why fire protection exists. The most important of these is protecting lives, which it does by helping contain fire to one location within a building.
We use 2 types of Firecaulking
• Gungrade – commonly used at wall tops and around floor and wall penetrations
• Sprayable – generally used at curtain walls & wall tops where maximum movement capabilities are required
Carciofini is a Hilti Accredited Specialty Contractor, a 3M Trained Installer, and a member of the Firestop Contractor International Association (FCIA). We are currently undergoing the process of becoming a UL Certified Contractor as well. This is a two year process during which time our employees go through both written and hands on training. We have already implemented inventory and project tracking systems in order to comply with UL standards. These procedures help to improve our overall quality and efficiency, and ultimately provide more value to you. It is just one more way in which Carciofini is striving to serve its customers and exceed their expectations.
Traffic Coatings
Traffic coatings are generally used on parking decks, roof decks, mechanical rooms, stairs, stadium bleachers, and garages. Waterproof and wear resistant, these coatings protect concrete by guarding against chemical intrusion, impact, and abrasions. Traffic coatings can be made slip resistant through the addition of aggregate, which is rolled into the product during installation. These products are easy to clean, expand with movement in the slab, and are available in a low VOC formula and a variety of colors to help meet your project’s needs.
Expansion Joint Systems
Mechanical Expansion Joints can be designed to accommodate almost any project specification. Common floor and wall joint designs include cases that accommodate excessive movement, heavy vehicle traffic, snow plow abuse, water tightness, fire safety and specific aesthetic needs.
We work closely with our manufacturer reps to find you the best product for your project. Our office and field staff have completed training at the manufacturers’ training centers on the most reliable way to install their products, helping ensure years of service out of the joints. We are certified installers for Balco, Watson Bowman, and MM Systems. These certifications allow us to offer a warranty on the expansion joint that is fully backed by the manufacturer.
Carciofini installs thousands of feet of expansion joint systems each year on both the interior and exterior of buildings.
Waterproofing
The three main types of waterproofing services we offer are below grade, fluid applied and concrete sealer.
Below Grade waterproofing is designed to be applied before the foundation walls are backfilled or as an underlayment for a concrete floor. Fluid applied products are mostly used in horizontal applications, and are typically applied on plaza decks and roof decks. Concrete seal is a silane mixture used to penetrate concrete and help repel water and therefore slow aging. It also helps keep moisture from seeping through parking decks and causing lime to drip, resulting in paint damage to unsuspecting cars.
Restoration
We provide sealant and mortar restoration in EIFS, Concrete, Brick, Glass, and just about any other surface you can think of. Depending on the type of product you have installed, there can be a wide variety of life spans. An exterior caulking joint typically needs re-caulking every 9-11 years with urethane and 15-20 years with silicone.
Traffic coatings can become damaged from excess wear and tear but can be easily patched.
Expansion joint systems should last for countless years if correctly installed. When repairs are required, they are typically the result of incorrect installation or poor joint selection.
Below grade waterproofing is usually repaired by patching in cases where it becomes torn.
