How to choose a sealer for a bath?

Sealants are popular, their properties, increase the safety of using a font. On the forms of these tools, their characteristics and how to make the best choice in a particular situation, read on.

What are sealants?

Consider the most popular tools.

acrylic

This composition has several advantages:

• affordable price;
• absence of toxic and other hazardous additives;
• It does not react with the surfaces;
• It goes well with different materials, perfectly fills the cracks and gaps;
• It is used in the range from -20 to + 80 ° C;
• resistant to vibration (if their amplitude is small);
• the surface dries quickly, easily covered with paint or varnish.

Among the shortcomings is most significant inelastic layer (9% higher tensile destroys it). Shrinkage after application does not allow to use the tool in places where liquid, these conditions can provoke the appearance of mold and mildew. Means white color tend to change color, make better use of other colors.

On a note! Before starting work, we recommend a primer. It will provide high-quality traction and reduce the risk of leakage in contact with water.

Marks are widespread Bison, Bosny ACRYLIC SEALANT, Penosil, Boxer, Dap Alex Plus et al.

Silicone

Sealants of this kind are very popular and are divided into acidic and neutral groups. Their common characteristics:

• water resistance;
• good elasticity increases the range of use, for example, at the joints between the font and the wall;
• parameters stored at high temperatures.

The general lack of - the risk of fungus in wet conditions, but it can be avoided by acquiring a special mixture with antiseptics.

acidic compositions an affordable cost, but with them because of the strong smell better in open areas. Should not be applied to steel and cast iron containers, or any oxides.

neutral analogues characterized by high cost, can be applied universally, not come into contact with other materials.

Sales easily find Ceresit, Soudal, Lugato, Ravak, torque and so on. D.

polyurethane

Features:

• stably transfers the temperature differences (loses properties at -10º C), high humidity;
• excellent adhesive properties;
• remains elastic, does not shrink;
• It works with virtually all surfaces;
• Drying after coating is admissible.

Its disadvantages - it is a bad connection with plastic coating takes place exclusively in the dry coating (presence of humidity above 10% would require a primer). Loss of quality at high temperatures is not so critical (from + 120º C).

The store BOSTIK PU, POLYFLEX-LM, MAKROFLEX PA, and so on. D.

Silicone-Acrylic

They represent a combination of the best properties of the two formulations appearing in the title.

Features:

• durable protective coating;
• high elasticity;
• no odors. The sale can be found TYTAN.

C. MS polymers

In the creation of this variety of new technologies were used. It is a combination of the best properties of silicone and polyurethane components.

Pros:

• excellent adhesive strength;
• Compatibility with all materials without using a primer;
• safety, no odor;
• rapid drying (including freezing temperatures), can be painted after it;
• resistance to sunlight;
• resistance to fresh water and salt water;
• thick consistency capable of applying smooth, nerastekayuschiysya layer.

Its drawbacks - the high cost, the possibility of yellowing on the seam (removed pure gasoline). If only need to remove the seam, it can be done by mechanical methods.

On sale are SOUDALSEAL, BOSTIK, USOS, and others.

Which sealants are in the form of release?

Each release form has certain advantages:

1. Standard tube weight from 60 to 100 g, included is a cap with a conical tip. Option is useful where the minimum required dosage, however, layer is applied intermittently and irregularly, it is necessary to correct.
2. Tubes 280-600 ml, are used with construction gun. The process is easier and easier, less effort is spent to fix the seam. The most convenient and the best choice in home.
3. Capacity of large sizes (buckets, barrels, aluminum tubes), designed for professional construction work, in personal "home ownership" does not apply.

How to use the sealant to the bath?

Substance is applied using an applicator (if present in the kit) or gun (mechanical or accumulators).

On a note! special nozzle acquisition will simplify the task, allowing to align the seam simultaneously.

Procedure:

• wipe dry with a clean cloth surface;
• alcohol degreasing the work area;
• along the layer is pasted masking tape to avoid contamination;
• Wear protective mask and gloves;
• the tip of the tube is cut off at an angle of 45º and cover cap, using a gun or applicator;
• wet spatula silicone hold the seam, leveling and smoothing it (the master can do it with your finger).

Important! Squeezing substance without jerks, smoothly, with the same efforts.

Give the basis of time to dry, then ventilate the room.

Comparative characteristics of sealants. Which is better?

All embodiments mentioned above have different properties. Each of them is used in certain types of work, it has some limitations. consumer it must be assumed, in what situation will act. nuances:

1. Acrylic formulation ideal for tanks from identical material.
2. A more universal agent has properties of silicone. According to user feedback, it can be used to create perfect joints between the bathtub and the wall, Address other common tasks. Neutral substances are suitable in virtually all cases.
3. Polyurethane mixture to win silicone analogs by the absence of odors, but can not create a strong bond with the plastic.
4. The silicone-acrylic compositions have excellent performance, but their choices in the market is low, manufactured tubes of only one volume of - 310 mL.
5. MS polymers - it is a new composite, due to the high cost is not accessible to all consumers, and not yet able to compete with the already become popular tools.

We hope our article will help the reader understand the sealants and their features. We recommend buying agent on silicone - they are able to solve most of the problems encountered in the bathroom.