Case 2

Remedial

The glass panel that has cracked should be removed completely and the edges cleaned of sealant. According to the method and curtain walling system, the glass could either be replaced on site or the panel could be removed and the glass installed in the factory. Below is an on-site repair method for a cracked glass:

1. Double sided tape stuck to the edges of the panel to temporarily hold the glass pane while sealant is applied.
2. Suckers are used to handle the glass pane and to align it into the panel.
3. The edges around the area where the sealant is to be applied is protected with masking tape.
4. Silicone sealant is injected into the gap between the glass and the panel to ensure water tightness and to hold the glass in place. The sealant is applied in an upwards vertical motion to ensure that sealant fills up the gap.
5. The installed sealant is tooled to remove excess sealant and to obtain a smooth finish.
6. The protective tape is removed and the panel and glass is cleaned with a dry piece of cloth.

Points to note:

• The use of structural sealant or not should be established so that the structural integrity of the façade can be maintained.
• The replacement glass panel used should be of similar type and thickness as the cracked glass.
• If possible, a water tightness test should be conducted on the repaired glass panel.