003 Exterior Care and Maintenance

BTECHNICAL BULLETIN Exterior Finish Care and Maintenance

Big Strech Caulk is recommended sealant for joints. The Slate Grey Big Strech Caulk matches the Functional Gray of the building, and the Ironstone Big Strech Caul matches the Griffon Gray of the building exterior. 

Building Exterior Paint Codes: 

• Griffon SW7026 and Functional Gray SW7024
• Blue Chip SW6959 and Navel SW6887

Inspect the entire exterior surface of the building at least every year for any damage to the exterior panels.

Inspect all sealant joints on panels every year making sure they are not cracked, loose, or missing in some areas at the panel-to-panel joints and where other products intersect or different substrates meet. Inspect sealant around doors, windows, electrical equipment, outlets, pipes, or any other penetrations in the panel system making sure that they are secure, and no moisture can penetrate the building. Any deteriorated or damaged sealant should be removed and replaced as soon as it appears.

Heavy traffic areas should be monitored more frequently due to exposure to automobiles, lawn equipment and other elements. Heavy foliage or landscape areas with frequent watering schedules should be checked more frequently as they can develop mold or algae growth.

CastWal (Brick Veneer)

The entire exterior wall surface should be cleaned at least once every year using a low-pressure water sprayer to remove any dirt, airborne pollutants, or foreign materials from the surface. Any materials not removed using a low-pressure sprayer should be removed by cleaning with soft fiber scrubbing brush with spraying with water or a solution of detergent and water.

EnduraWal (Dryvit)

The entire exterior wall surface should be cleaned at least once every year to remove any dirt, airborne pollutants, or foreign materials from the surface. Any foreign materials or stains that cannot be removed using a garden hose should then be cleaned with a soft-medium bristle brush to remove isolated surface spots, spraying the area with water and a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution consist of 1-2 cups trisodium phosphate (TSP) detergent, 1 gallon of warm water and add ½ to 1 quart of bleach to remove algae (usually green stains on the surface of the finish) or mildew (black stains that look like dirt). Bleach is necessary to kill micro-organisms that create the algae or mildew on the finish. If no bleach is used or if it is not allowed sufficient time (about 15 minutes) to sit on the surface and kill the micro-organisms, algae or mildew can

recur. Always test clean an inconspicuous area to be sure of desired results and follow precautions on handling and disposal of cleaning materials.

Apply the cleaning solution to the wall surface by brush or spray and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes. For heavy deposits, lightly scrub the affected area with a soft-medium brush. After the cleaning solution has soaked the surface, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and allow it to dry.

• Do Not: Use solvent-based cleaners-acetone, gasoline, ketones, mineral oils, or turpentine.
• Do Not: Use excess scrubbing, stiff bristle brushes or wire brushes can damage the finish.
• Do Not: Use high pressure washing (more than 500 psi), or sandblasting, finish can be damaged with excess pressure or abrasion.