Education estates run to a calendar that doesn’t move. Term dates fix when buildings are busy, and holidays are short and in demand. Every trade wants the summer break. For estates teams, business managers and bursars, the trick with sealant work is to plan early, book a slot and know what can be done during term if needed. This guide sets out an approach.
Build a list during term
Ask caretakers and site staff to record sealant problems as they find them:
- black or split sealant in pupil and staff toilets, changing rooms and showers
- gaps around sinks in science labs, food technology rooms and kitchens
- open or damaged floor joints in halls, corridors and sports areas
- window and door perimeters where rain gets in
- holes left in fire-resisting walls after new data or AV cabling
Photos and room numbers make pricing much quicker.
Match the job to the holiday
Not every task needs the summer. Short half-term breaks suit compact jobs, such as a block of toilets or a corridor of floor joints. Larger washroom programmes, external facade joints and work that follows other refurbishment trades are better in the long summer break. External work also needs dry weather, which is easier to find in summer (see weather and sealant).
Be realistic about how much fits in a short break. Allow time for cure before pupils return, and keep a small reserve in case weather or another trade causes delay.
Book early and agree the sequence
Summer programmes fill quickly, and sealant often follows other trades. Agree early where mastic sits in the sequence. Washrooms being refitted need sealing after the new fittings are in. Fire-rated sealing of penetrations should follow any new cabling or pipework, not precede it. Send details as soon as the works list is known so a fixed quote can be in place before the holiday starts.
Need the work done? Mastic Doctor covers South East England, London and all of Scotland, with a 12-month guarantee on our workmanship. Send details for a fixed quote.
Work during term
Some jobs can’t wait. Phased work can be planned so areas stay in use: one toilet block at a time, with others left open. Work areas are kept away from pupils, and sealant cure time is allowed before facilities reopen. Site rules on safeguarding, signing in and contractor supervision apply, so tell us the school’s requirements when you ask for a quote. Tell us what site paperwork you need (RAMS, insurance certificate, CSCS details) and we’ll confirm with the quote.
Fire-resisting walls after summer projects
Summer is when many schools add new IT, AV and heating services. Each new route through a fire-resisting wall or floor can leave a gap. Check these after the trades leave. Where fire-rated sealant is the specified product, we install it to the manufacturer’s tested detail. We’ll tell you if the detail calls for something else, such as a collar or wrap. Design and sign-off sit with the designer and building control. Our fire stopping after fit-out guide has a checklist.
Multi-site trusts and universities
Trusts and universities with several sites can group sealant work into one programme. One contractor, one point of contact and a single set of paperwork make holiday planning simpler. Our schools, colleges and universities page covers education work, and our guide to planned sealant maintenance explains how to structure an ongoing programme.
Quick answers
How far ahead should summer work be booked?
As early as you can, ideally once your summer works list is agreed. It allows time for a site visit if needed, a fixed quote and a place in the sequence behind other trades.
Can toilets be resealed during term?
Yes, with phasing. One block is closed while others stay open, and it reopens once the sealant has cured to the point stated for the product.
Do you work with our safeguarding rules?
Yes. Tell us your site rules, signing-in process and any supervision needs when you ask for a quote, and the plan will reflect them.
What should we send for a quote?
A list of areas with room numbers, photos of typical joints, rough lengths or counts, and the dates you want the work done. For fire-rated sealing, include the specification or details if you have them.
Related services
- Commercial washroom and wet-area sealing
- Fire-rated sealing and fire stopping
- Industrial and floor joint sealing
- Commercial sealant contractors
More advice
- Planned Sealant Maintenance for FMs
- Fire Stopping After M&E and Fit-Out Works
- Hotel Sealant Programmes: Room by Room
- CDM and RAMS Basics for Sealant Work
- All advice
This guide is general information about sealant work. It isn’t legal, fire-safety or structural advice; for those, speak to a qualified professional.