Heard a contractor in Phoenix say 'just silicone the whole frame' for a storefront install

That's a major red flag for water damage and seal failure down the line. What's the worst shortcut you've seen someone try to take on a commercial job?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sarah2mo ago

And they never think about the thermal movement. That goop will crack in a year when the frame expands in the heat. Saw a crew try to skip the weep holes in a brick veneer once, just to save an hour. The whole cavity filled up like a bathtub after the first big rain.

noahs822h ago

Yeah the "it's fine" mindset always comes back to bite you. I was reading an article from a building science guy who said most moisture failures in walls come from one tiny missed detail like that. He called weep holes the cheapest insurance you can buy. Have you ever seen the aftermath of a skipped roof flashing or something similar?

hall.ruby2mo ago

Ugh, @the_sarah, that reminds me of the guys who caulked an entire expansion joint shut.