Blog
The Role of A Backer Rod In Caulking Applications
January 14, 2025
Effective sealing is crucial to a building's structural integrity and insulation. Cracks in walls naturally appear over time, posing a threat to those inside and around the building. Such cracks must be promptly dealt with to avoid mishaps. Contractors and engineers rely on caulking to deal with such cracks swiftly. There is one significant material improving the efficiency of caulking — a backer rod. This flexible polyethylene foam rod is crucial for seamless caulking. Alcot Plastics Ltd. in Guelph, Ontario manufactures the best foam rods. In this blog, we briefly discuss the use of backer rods in caulking applications. Please read until the end to gain some interesting insights.
Backer Rods Are Cost-Effective And Durable
Provides Better Seal
A backer rod is flexible and soft. Meaning, it can be squeezed into really tight places without being damaged. The rod's shape retention ability allows it to cover all the space inside the cracks. The closed-cell structure of polyethylene foam resists water and moisture. Sealants last longer when not in contact with either of those. That's not it. By occupying the space within cracks, backer rods control the thickness and amount of caulking needed to seal them.
Seamless Finishing
Cracks damage the visual appeal of a building along with structural integrity. Using a backer rod ensures a seamless and clean finish. Sealants alone fail to provide the desired result. Using a backer rod is recommended as the solution cannot be worse than the problem. The excellent finishing can be attributed to improved adhesion, thanks again to the closed-cell structure of backer rods. They prevent three-sided adhesion, which causes stress points and potential cracks.
Conclusion
Backer rods also ensure better flexibility, allowing sealants to contract and expand with changing weather. This prevents cracks from reappearing. Alcot Plastics Ltd. in Guelph, Ontario manufactures and supplies the best polyethylene foam rods to clients in Canada and the US. Contractors source flexible and custom backer rods from us for all types of caulking applications. Call 519 767 2899 to place an order.
