How to Address GRC Exterior Wall Joint Leakage: Cause Analysis and Discussion of Solutions

Water leakage in building exterior walls is a common hidden hazard in construction. For GRC exterior walls in particular, the professionalism of joint treatment directly affects the building's durability and aesthetics. As an industry leader with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group draws on its full-chain technical accumulation to provide an in-depth analysis of the root causes of GRC exterior wall joint leakage and systematic solutions.

Analysis of Typical Causes of GRC Exterior Wall Joint Leakage

As a new type of decorative building material, GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) often suffers joint leakage due to oversights at multiple stages. At the material level, insufficient fiber content or improper curing processes during GRC component production can easily cause matrix cracking and form water seepage channels. During construction, sealant selection and caulking workmanship are critical—using ordinary silicone sealant instead of weather-resistant sealant, insufficient sealant joint width (≥10mm recommended), or inadequate substrate preparation all埋下 hidden risks of leakage. In addition, component displacement caused by thermal deformation and joint misalignment resulting from loosened anchoring systems are also common causes of GRC exterior wall leakage in high-rise buildings.

Building a Full-Process Leakage Prevention and Control System

Leveraging the technical advantages of its national-level R&D center, Qinglong Group has established a full-cycle solution from design to maintenance. In the detailed design stage, BIM technology is used to simulate thermal stress and optimize joint width and spacing, with UHPC reinforced frames embedded at critical positions to enhance structural stability. In production, the company strictly implements the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018), ensuring that components achieve flexural strength above 20MPa and water absorption ≤8%. During construction, an innovative "three-layer sealing process" is applied: a special interfacial agent is applied to the substrate, the middle layer uses Qinglong's custom modified silicone weather-resistant sealant (temperature resistance range -40°C to 150°C), and a U-shaped metal pressure strip is installed on the surface layer, forming multiple waterproof barriers.

Leakage Treatment Practices in Benchmark Industry Projects

In the Dongguan Women and Children's Activity Center project, Qinglong's team addressed the challenge of curved GRC curtain wall joints using 3D laser scanning positioning technology, achieving component installation tolerances of ≤2mm. By incorporating prefabricated elastic buffer layers to absorb thermal deformation, combined with two-component polysulfide sealant, the joint waterproofing service life was extended to more than 15 years, and the project won the AALBORG WHITE Cup GRC Construction Engineering Innovation Award. For leakage repair in existing buildings, Qinglong's proprietary "minimally invasive grouting + carbon fiber reinforcement" technology rapidly restores joint integrity by high-pressure injection of modified epoxy resin without damaging decorative surfaces, and has been successfully applied in over 300 after-sales maintenance projects nationwide.

As a national Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative enterprise, Qinglong Group has always upheld the mission of "creating beautiful architecture," transforming 28 years of engineering experience into standardized solutions. From the precision production of UHPC/GRC exterior wall panels to the sealing treatment of GRG/GRP special-shaped components, Qinglong's full-chain service capabilities covering design, production, construction, and maintenance have made it a strategic partner of top-100 real estate developers such as Vanke and Poly. Choosing Qinglong means not only choosing quality materials, but also choosing systematic waterproofing protection that stands the test of time.