Darwin Joint Sealing Contractor
As the term implies, joint sealing is a process where you cover joints and cracks. All things that are put together will eventually have cracks and crevices. Builders know this, and they call a Darwin joint sealing contractor to ensure that these joints are sealed tight.
Today, we at Australian Construction will discuss what you should expect from a joint sealing contractor. If you do not know yet, joint sealing is not just about putting caulk on joints—it really is more than that.
Waterproofing the joints
The first thing you must expect that a joint sealing contractor must deliver is waterproofing. Regardless of what they are working on, the joints must be waterproof to prevent water from seeping through.
This is especially so if your facility used concrete. Because of concrete’s nature, the way it is built is usually done in three types of jointing. These joints are called construction joints, movement joints, and connection joints.
One of the main purposes of joint sealing is not just to strengthen the structural integrity, but also to reduce the likelihood of water seeping through. This is called water ingress. It acts as a waterproofing barrier in the space between the joints. The joint must also be able to anticipate the opening and closing—say it is a window—and ensure that the joint is still tight despite these actions.
There are many types of joint sealing that a contractor can use, such as gaskets, caulk, and many others. The contractor you hire must be knowledgeable about how waterproofing works, and what kind of materials have to be used to make the joints waterproof according to different situations.
Providing accurate price quotes
Noting is more frustrating than getting charged more money against the original price quote. What you need to expect from a joint sealing contractor is accuracy. If the price quote is too good to be true, it is likely that this contractor will ask for more money later on.
We have to say that no price quote is 100% accurate. All we are saying is that the contractor must charge for the complete package and not ask for more money later.
To ensure that this happens, the contractor must do what we are doing. At Australian Construction, we visit the site and find out what needs to be done. We inspect the areas and joints that need to be sealed, and then we list them down. We create a detailed plan that will help our client understand what we intend to do.
Along with the plan is a price quote. Because of this process, both us and the clients are on the same page as far as expectations go. We do not have to go back and forth making changes to the plan, and we do also do not charge more than what was quoted unless the client wanted to have some changes.
Giving recommendations
What clients need is easy to understand—they want joints to be sealed. However, not all people know what kind of joint sealant has to be used. If you are working with a contractor, this contractor must tell you what kind of joint sealant is best used for your situation.
If not, you will not have any idea what is going on. If the contractor is not volunteering this information, you have to ask.
Earlier, we mentioned something about gasket sealant. This is typically made of rubber, and it is made specifically according to the structure. Most gaskets are used in things that are subject to movements, like valves and tubes or doors and windows.
There are two other joint sealants used in the industry. These are silicone and polyurethane. Polyurethane sealants have an average shelf life of only five years. On the other hand, silicone sealants last up to 20 years.
Silicone is the premier choice for sealing joints that will not be moved. Examples of these are joint areas for glass windows. They can also be used on concrete, but you need a professional joint sealing contractor to get it done.
How to choose the right contractor
So, now that you have an idea of what to expect, how must you choose a contractor? Read on to see our recommendations:
First, the contractor has to be licensed. Sealing joints is related to structural integrity, and you must only work with licensed contractors like us. The license is issued by the government, and it is an indication that the contractor passed all the expectations of the government.
Next, you must only choose a contractor that is known in your community. Reputation and credibility are two important factors when dealing with joint sealing contractors. They have to be able to meet their own promises, and they need to deliver on time.
There are several ways you can find out if the contractor you are eyeing is a good fit for the job you require. You can first ask around, such as your friends and family members, and see if they know someone.
Another thing you can do is to go online. You can go to review websites like Trust Pilot, and then you can see what the reputation of the contractor is. You can also join Facebook groups and then check if the contractor you want to deal with is known in that community, and how they have performed in the past.
Summary: Darwin Joint Sealing Contractor
Now that you know what to expect from a Darwin joint sealing contractor, you have to speak to the contractors you are planning to hire, and then ask them if they can deliver these things. If not, you have to keep on looking.
Give us a call at Australian Construction, and one of our engineers will speak with you. If you already have a building that needs repair, we will give it an ocular inspection.
If the building is currently being built, then we will have a planning session with you to further understand what you need. From there, we can create a price quote and then proceed with the project.