THE ROLE OF BACKER RODS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Backer rods are known for their vital role in filling joints and cracks between building materials. There are numerous types of joints with a variety of characteristics. For this reason, there are two major types of rods that can suit virtually all types of joints. These are the closed cell rods and soft rods. Closed cell rods are generally rigid in nature and can be used to hold sealants in joints with a uniform cross section. Their structure allows them to resist the penetration of water and moisture. Therefore, they are mostly used for outdoor constructions where the moisture content is high. Their main advantage is that they can be used to form an airtight seal. Soft rods on the other hand are generally pliable and flexible in nature. They are vulnerable to moisture hence are not used for outdoor constructions. Their flexible nature means that they can be used to fill irregular joints with a varying width. They are also easier to install as compared to closed cell rods.

There are numerous types of joints that can be filled using the closed cell rods and soft backer rods. Some of the common applications include filling joints in floors and tiled walls, window paneling, construction of counter tops and kitchen tops, and providing a proper surface finish in outdoor constructions. The rods are normally used as a base for holding sealants to form an airtight seal. They control the level of sealant in the joint and reduce the amount of sealant used for sealing joints. They have an anti-bonding property that means that they do not bond with the sealants during joint filling. This prevents formation of three-sided bonding hence forming a flexible joint. The building materials can contract and expand together with the sealants without interfering with the backer rods beneath. Backer rods are the perfect solution to construction problems dealing with joints.