Facade Sealing and Weatherproofing via Rope Access

Think Access reseals and weatherproofs glazed facades on commercial and high-rise buildings using IRATA-certified rope access. Failed sealant joints are one of the most common causes of water ingress in curtain wall and glazing systems, and our teams can access and remediate these defects without scaffold.

Scope at a glance

Joint inspection

Visual & physical assessment · UV & thermal degradation · Failure identification · Single-visit repair

Joint preparation

Old sealant removal · Solvent cleaning · Primer & bond breaker tape · Continuous bead application · Tooled finish

Facade resealing programmes

Full elevation resealing · Phased delivery · Dry weather scheduling · Minimal disruption to occupants

What we do

Why joints fail

Over time, silicone and polyurethane sealants in glazing joints degrade through UV exposure, thermal movement and cleaning chemical attack. Failed sealant allows water to penetrate behind panels, causing damage to fixings, insulation and internal finishes. Our rope access teams inspect joints visually and physically, identifying failures and applying correctly specified replacement sealant in a single visit.

Joint preparation

We carry out full joint preparation before any new sealant is applied, including removal of old degraded material by hand or mechanical means, cleaning of contact faces with approved solvents, and application of primer or bond breaker tape where required. Sealant is applied in a single continuous bead, tooled to profile and allowed to cure before handover.

Facade resealing programmes

In addition to individual joint repair, we carry out complete facade resealing programmes where sealant has reached end of life across a significant elevation. These programmes are typically scheduled during dry weather windows and may be phased to minimise disruption to building users.

Product selection & compatibility

Sealant selection is based on substrate type, joint width and movement characteristics, UV exposure and compatibility with the existing glazing system. We work with manufacturer-approved products and follow system-specific application guidance to ensure long-term performance and warranty compliance.

Why Think Access

Facade sealing is a detail-critical operation where surface preparation and product selection are as important as application technique. Our teams are trained in both, delivering weathertight results that protect building fabric for years.

F.A.Q’s

We carry out a visual and physical inspection of all joints as part of our assessment visit. We identify failures by type, adhesive failure, cohesive failure, or compression failure. Then provide a prioritised scope of works based on severity.

Yes, but we use only cleaning products and solvents approved for use on coated glass to avoid damage to the coating. We confirm compatibility before any cleaning or preparation work begins.