What does Caulk Platon membrane at top (on the side of my house) mean?

Question

when i had my inspection done on my house the agent said to caulk the platon membrane at top(this is on the side part of my house)

what does that mean and what do i need to get, and how do i do it? thanks

Answer 1

Platon is a polyethalene type membrane that is applied to your house foundation before it is backfilled to waterproof. It is like a riancoat for your foundation and or sub-level walls. At the top edge of the membrane where it ends is a place where water could get behind the membrane  and get into your walls and basement or crawl space. This is the place to calk and any othe place the water might get behind the Platon.

The caulking used is a selection that the supplier like one of the hardware or big homebuilder suppliers would recommend. There are various grades of silicon and other long lasting cailks. Tell your home store where your caulking and he will put you on a good product. A tube of caulk, a caulking gun and a how to use is in his help suggestions too.

Good luck

Rangerfinder

Answer 2

Its a moisture barrier around the poured foundation of your home.

Here is a link to an installation guide, with some good pics (takes a little bit to down load) -

http://www.systemplaton.com/pdf/ARM-Plat...

Basically, all you need is a good exterior caulk... like silicone, and a caulk gun.  It comes in different colors...for this application, the clear would blend in nicely.

The caulk comes in tubes, which load into a caulk gun, like this one -

http://www.installersstore.com/cgi-bin/I...

Any of your local stores should carry both, the caulk and gun, tho they may be cheaper at Lowe's.

Basic operation:

Cut the tip of the caulk tube nozzle off... at a slight angle works best.  (Most of them are marked on the tip, for the bead width - 1/4" to 3/8" will probably work fine for this application).  Some caulk guns have a hole in the handle where you can clip the end of the tube with.

There is a metal seal inside that nozzle (like you would find on many food containers)... you just need to puncture it with something.  Some caulk guns have a wire attached to the barrel just for this purpose.  A screwdriver, long nail, even a wire coat hanger straightened out, will work for this... if you use a screwdriver, heheh.. clean it off right away.

Once the tube is clipped, and punctured, load it into the gun.  Pull the silver ratchet mechanism all the way back (press down on the thumb lever to do that, or rotate it so the 'teeth', in the stem are turned away from the ratchet.  Drop the tube into the gun, and press the plunger forward.  With most caulk guns you will aim the plunger up, to engage the stem teeth with the ratchet mechanism.

There will usually be a slight air bubble at the top (nose) of the caulk tube.

Now, just put the tip down along the Platon material, and apply the caulk between it and the foundation.  As long as you keep pressure on the tube plunger (squeezing the trigger), the caulk will keep coming out.  If you need to stop, or move, press the thumb lever to let up on the pressure.

If this is just one side of your home, you probably only need 1, maybe 2 tubes of caulk.  If you have any left over in the tube, it would be a good idea to use it up around any windows or doors that have gaps.

If you are right handed... you would probably find it easiest to put the wall to your left.  Most folks find it easier to 'pull' the caulk gun while applying caulk, so you would actually be stepping backwards, slowly, as you apply it.  Squeeze a little caulk in, release the thumb lever, step back, and then put the tip back where you stopped caulking, to start again.  Very easy to do.

Have Fun