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Building sealing strips (used for doors, windows, curtain walls, or roofs) play a key role in waterproofing, sound insulation, and energy saving. Their service life is often shortened by improper use or lack of maintenance—here are 5 practical tips to prolong their performance:

1. Ensure Proper Installation: Avoid "Initial Damage"

Incorrect installation is the top cause of early seal failure. Follow these rules:

Prep the surface first: Clean the installation area (e.g., window frames, door slots) to remove dust, oil, or old seal residues—use a dry cloth or neutral cleaner (avoid corrosive solvents like acetone). Dirty surfaces reduce adhesion, leading to seal detachment.

Match the size & avoid overstretching: Choose a seal strip with a cross-section that fits the gap (e.g., a 10mm gap needs a 10-12mm thick seal, not 8mm). When installing, don’t stretch the seal (especially foam or EPDM types)—overstretching breaks internal structures, causing shrinkage and gaps within 6-12 months.

Press firmly for adhesion: For self-adhesive seals, press each section for 3-5 seconds after pasting (focus on corners) to ensure the adhesive fully bonds with the frame.

2. Clean Regularly: Prevent Dirt & Corrosion

Dust, rainwater deposits, or outdoor pollutants (e.g., smog, pollen) accumulate on seals over time, accelerating aging and hardening.

Frequency: Clean door/window seals once a month; outdoor curtain wall or roof seals every 3 months (or after heavy rain/storms).

Method: Use a soft brush (to avoid scratching the seal surface) or a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off dirt. For stubborn stains (e.g., bird droppings), dip the cloth in mild soapy water (pH 6-8) and gently scrub—never use abrasive cleaners (like steel wool) or strong chemicals (alcohol, bleach), which damage the seal’s rubber or PVC material.

Dry after cleaning: Pat the seal with a dry cloth to remove residual moisture, especially for foam seals (moisture trapped inside can cause mold or rot).

3. Avoid Physical Damage: Reduce "Daily Wear"

Everyday use often causes unseen damage to seals—pay attention to these details:

Don't force doors/windows: When a door/window is hard to close, check if the seal is stuck (e.g., pinched by the frame) instead of pushing hard. Forcing can deform or tear the seal, creating permanent gaps.

Protect from sharp objects: Keep tools, toys, or furniture away from seal edges (e.g., don’t lean a ladder against window seals). Sharp items can scratch the seal’s surface, allowing water to seep in and erode the internal material.

Avoid long-term compression: Don’t leave doors/windows fully closed for months (e.g., vacant rooms). Periodically open them (once every 2-3 weeks) to relieve pressure on the seal—long-term compression causes "permanent set" (the seal can’t bounce back, losing sealing ability).

4. Shield from Extreme Environments: Mitigate "Environmental Aging"

UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and harsh weather are major threats to seal longevity—take targeted protection:

Block UV rays for outdoor seals: For balcony door seals or south-facing window seals (exposed to strong sunlight), install awnings or UV-blocking window films. UV rays break down the seal’s polymer structure, leading to cracking and brittleness (common in PVC seals after 2-3 years of unprotected use).

Insulate against temperature extremes: In cold regions, add weatherstripping around door bottoms to reduce cold air intrusion—this prevents the seal from freezing and hardening (frozen seals crack easily when the door is opened). In hot regions, avoid direct sunlight on seals (e.g., use reflective tape on window frames) to prevent softening and deformation.

Drain water promptly for roof seals: Ensure roof drains near seals are unclogged (clean them every 6 months). Stagnant rainwater around roof seals seeps into tiny gaps, causing the seal to swell and degrade over time.

5. Conduct Regular Inspections & Local Repairs: Fix "Small Issues Early"

Don’t wait for the seal to fully fail—small problems (e.g., tiny cracks, partial detachment) can be fixed quickly to avoid bigger damage:

Inspection frequency: Check all seals once a season (focus on corners, joints, and areas exposed to rain). Look for signs like:

Cracks, splits, or hardening of the seal surface.

Detachment from the frame (even 1-2cm gaps let water in).

Mold growth (indicates trapped moisture).

Local repair steps:

For small cracks (≤5mm): Use a compatible sealant (e.g., silicone sealant for EPDM seals, PVC glue for PVC seals) to fill the gap—smooth the surface with a tool and let it dry for 24 hours.

For partial detachment: Peel off the loose section, clean the frame again, and reattach with extra adhesive (or replace the 10-15cm damaged segment instead of the entire seal).

Replace only when necessary: If more than 30% of the seal is cracked, hardened, or detached, replace the entire strip—partial repairs won’t work long-term, and gaps will only widen.

By following these tips, most building sealing strips (especially EPDM or high-quality PVC types) can extend their service life from 3-5 years to 8-10 years, reducing maintenance costs and improving the building’s energy efficiency.