what are your pros and cons re Pick-proof sealant products. Project is behavioral holding, and I haven’t spec’d this stuff in 6 - 7 years.
Thanks.
My last behavioral health project was about 3 years ago. At that time, “pick-proof” sealant was merely epoxy adhesive, colored to blend with the interfacing materials. Once it cured, it was there for good. There was the rub - removing the “sealant” meant removing part of the substrate on both sides of the joint. But it worked.
We called them security sealants; they also are called tamper-resistant or tamper-proof. What sets them apart is their hardness, typically measured on the Shore A or Shore D scales. The higher the number, the harder it is, and the more resistant it is to picking. Shore chart
In addition to being harder than ordinary joint sealants, these sealants also are less flexible, and may not adhere as well. I used them in prisons, detention areas, and interior behavioral areas for a long time. If a moving joint was required both to prevent air or water infiltration and prevent picking, I would specify that a typical weather sealant be installed first, then a pick-resistant sealant to protect the primary seal. Another thing we did in some areas was specify these sealants only where they were within reach. For example, in a prison commons area, it was installed only to, say, ten feet above a walkway. With the wide range of properties available, you may find that a single product will meet all your needs.
Most sealant companies have comparison tables that identify these sealants. Some are found under a specialty sealant category. Pecora has a nice manual, I’m sure others also have them. Be ready to consider a range of hardness, as products from different companies often have slightly different properties.
Thanks for your input. It is much appreciated.
To further add what Sheldon wrote, here are Pecora’s security sealants.
As well as corrections projects, I also use them for unattended public locations – such as the sealant at parking garage elevators (where I’ve seen kids strip a long string of sealant out of that joint); or sealants around doors and windows in the toilet rooms in public parks.