How does sealant help in construction?

Since ancient times, people have tried to insulate their homes from moisture, and for this purpose they used improvised materials in the form of clay, soil and even animal excrement. But thanks to the development of the chemical industry there have been invented materials based on polymers and oligomers, which have curing properties when the solvent evaporates. While the sealant is in the container, it retains its pasty state, but when it is squeezed out, it hardens within a certain time.

Form of Issue

Building sealant can come in a variety of sizes.

Acrylic and silicone sealants are widely used in the home, so they can be found in every construction supermarket in a wide range. Most in demand sealants in plastic bottles of different sizes (280 g, 310 g, 1000 g) designed for extrusion with a construction gun. They are easy to use, because thanks to the sharp spout it is possible to squeeze the paste even into the narrowest slots.

The construction gun squeezes the paste according to the principle of the piston, it does not require much physical effort. For large-scale construction, you buy the sealant in plastic tubes, where it can be up to 25 kilograms. Bitumen-polymer sealant is sold in briquettes of several kilograms.

Building sealant, what is it

Building sealant is a binding paste or gel, which, after extrusion, vulcanize and have the properties of shrinkage, thus providing a tight connection. Sealant is used for fixed or elastic joints, depending on its composition. Sealant can consist of acetates, acids, acrylics, bitumen, silicone and polymers, so its properties vary in composition.

Types and purpose, description of types and where each is used

Acrylic sealant

Acrylic sealants are made on the basis of acrylic acid. They are widely used in construction due to their low cost and ease of use. Acrylic sealant is non-flammable and can be painted well after drying.

It is most often used to seal seams, window openings, cracks in walls. When applying acrylic sealant rarely use additional means, such as primer, as it has high rates of agdesis. Acrylic sealants are widely used in the construction of wooden houses.

The material well protects the room from wind, moisture, cold and dust, but the acrylic sealant is not resistant to water, it erodes. Another disadvantage is that it can only be used for fixed joints. The slightest movement on the cured sealant will crack, and it will lose its tightness. Cures acrylic sealant about one day, depending on the thickness of the layer applied.

Silicone Sealant

Silicone sealant is a complex compound that, when dry, produces a rubber-like layer that provides a quality waterproofing. Silicone sealants are made with acids or alcohols. Acid-based sealant can be identified by its smell during work, as it gives off a vinegar smell when it cures.

Unlike acrylic sealant, silicone sealant can be applied to moving or vibrating joints. It is widely used in plumbing work, for sealed joints of pipes.

This sealant is more expensive than acrylic sealant. It can not be painted, but one advantage is the transparency of some silicone gels, so they are not visible on the joints. The sealant can also be white and does not change its properties and color when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

Silicone sealant is easy to remove from the surface without damaging it. Some silicone sealants contain additives against fungus, which gives advantages for its use in repairs in bathrooms and toilets. This type of sealant cannot be applied in sub-zero temperatures, and the surface to be treated must be thoroughly cleaned.

Bitumen sealants

Bitumen sealants are used for soft roofing, chimney sealing, foundation waterproofing. To apply the sealant is heated, and then it cools and acquires its properties. Many materials for soft roofing are made on the basis of bitumen sealant. Bitumen sealant is available only in black.

Polyurethane sealants

Polyurethane sealants are more durable than silicone counterparts, because they are used to connect and seal heavy building structures, such as panel joints. They can withstand deformation of the structure, holding it at the same time.

The main disadvantage of polyurethane sealant is its price, it is more expensive than all other analogues presented above. But it is indispensable for some types of construction work, so the priority is given to this type of sealant. Seams with the correct technology of applying polyurethane sealant can last more than a thousand years, while acrylic sealant sometimes deteriorates after a couple of years.

Wooden houses have always been valued. This trend will continue to be present. In many situations, it is difficult to find an alternative to them. Wood helps to create an optimal microclimate within a room. Wood is a natural, safe and clean material.

The construction of a wooden house usually involves several stages. After the walls have been erected, it is important to treat them with special compounds designed to protect the natural material from steam, moisture and other adverse effects. Especially in this need gaps between the logs, or the joints. We are talking about just the sealant. It can have a direct impact on the comfort inside the structure and its durability. The choice of sealant should be approached responsibly and carefully. The product is on the market in a variety of options. It is necessary to start from the need and the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.

Sealant is often possible to use not only outside, but also inside the house. Through such, it is usually sealed cracks and seams that can be formed during the construction of a wooden house. Thus, the surface becomes more airtight. Modern sealants can boast an excellent adhesion to the surface of the wood. No problems with the application will not arise. Diluting the sealant with water is not recommended. In this case, there is a high probability of loss of the basic characteristics. The thickness of the layer can be different. Thanks to the sealant in the long term to avoid cracking of the wood. This is especially true for the ends.