Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell when my product was made or if it is still good for use?
All TOWER Sealants products with the exception of TOWER Silicone have a 2-year shelf life (silicone has 1 year). There are two numbers printed on the bottom part of each tube, and on the side of each pail or sausage. The 5-digit number is the date of manufacture in Julian date format YYDDD. The longer number is the batch code. Here is a link to a Julian date converter
Can I paint over your sealants?
All TOWER Sealants with the exception of TOWER Silicone are paintable after skinning over. TOWER utilizes mainly water-based products with minimal, or often no plasticizers to prevent any shiners from forming after painting. This, paired with industry-leading consistency and air-free filling, gives TOWER caulks and sealants the best paintability on the market. Skin times vary for different products, the paint-time can be found on the Technical data sheet for each TOWER product, including spackling and patch. These TDS sheets can be found on each product page, or in the downloads page.
Where should I store TOWER products? What if my caulk cartridge freezes?
As a general rule, products should be kept above freezing, in a cool, dark area, away from direct sunlight. This will ensure the product will stay usable for the entirety of its shelf life. Should product freeze, make sure to move to a warmer area. TOWER products are all rated to perform through 5 freeze-thaw cycles. Viscosity, rhealogy and performance can be affected after each time the product freezes.
What is TCBSAT-30?
TCBSAT-30 is TOWER's internal testing method for adhesion to various substrates under real-world conditions. The acronym stands for TOWER Common Building Substrate Adhesion Test, and there are 30 substrates included in the testing. ASTM C-920 only tests adhesion to mortar, glass, and aluminum. This is very limited compared to the various substrates utilized in the construction industry, thus the TCBSAT-30 was created. Among the substrates tested are vinyl siding, PVC, fiber cement, brick, and various types of finished and unfinished woods. Sealant is extruded onto each substrate and left outside, facing the sun. Adhesion is tested periodically to measure various sealants' performance under real-world conditions, like UV exposure and weathering.
Can I get live guidance on compatibility or advice on a current project?
Our technical support email is always available to answer any questions regarding which product to use, paint compatibility, project advice, or troubleshooting. Please send an email describing your question to tech@towersealants.com.