Question

You may have heard of pull tests on sealants to insure proper adhesion. How do you do this pull test?

Answer

After the sealant has fully cured (typically 14 to 21 days), make a horizontal cut across the sealant to be tested. Just below the horizontal cut, make a pair of vertical cuts about 2 inches (5 centimeters) long, one on each side of the sealant joint. Grasp the top of the now disengaged 2-inch (5-centimeter) piece of sealant firmly between your fingers and pull down at a 90-degree angle or more, trying to pull the uncut sealant below out of the joint. If adhesion is proper, the sealant should tear cohesively in itself before releasing adhesively from the substrate.