The heel bead fills the corner at the back of the glazing pocket, where the edge of the glass unit meets the frame, and closes the gaps that glazing tape or gaskets leave. Glaziers gun it once the glass is in place and the pocket is still open, since snapping in the stop blocks access to that corner. It is the backup seal that keeps water past the outer gasket from reaching the interior.
Water's getting past the gaskets but the heel bead should stop it, check if they ran one at all.
Also heard as
- heel seal
- heel bead seal
Related terms
Cap bead
A sealant bead on the outside face of the glass where it meets the stop or frame, sealing the glazing pocket from rain.
Wet glazing
Sealing glass into its frame with gun-applied sealant instead of preformed rubber gaskets.
Setting block
A small rubber block under the bottom edge of the glass that carries its weight and keeps it off the frame.
Curtain wall
A non-load-bearing exterior wall of glass and metal framing hung off the building structure floor by floor.