Hermetics for bathroom - how to choose and correctly apply

SealantsThe bathroom was widely used. They perfectly seal the seams, joints, crevices between the tiles and plumbing, protecting them from the accumulation of moisture. Spray water and condensate, getting into such holes, create a favorable environment for the development of microscopic fungi and bacteria, including.and pathogens. Thus, spores of black mold affect the respiratory system and cause asthma attacks. Therefore, in the sealant for the bathroom is often added fungicide - a special antibacterial agent that inhibits the growth of mold.

Sealant is a mixture of polymer, hardener, filler, dye and other substances.

According to the type of polymer used, the sealants are divided into the following into types.

The most demanded, but also the most expensive. It has excellent adhesion to almost all materials, therefore suitable for any type of bath and exterior decoration of the room itself. It does not pass moisture, is not afraid of ultraviolet rays, can withstand high amplitude of temperature fluctuations( from -50 to +200 degrees), has a long service life. Shrinkage is no more than 2%.

Is divided into:

• acidic;
• are neutral.

Acidic still have a second name - acetic, because of the characteristic odor. They are relatively cheaper than neutral ones, but they are not suitable for all metal baths because they can oxidize certain metals and alloys by curing. Acid silicone sealants are used when working with plastic, wood and ceramics.

In other cases, the preference is given to neutral. It is great for sealing joints and cracks after repairs.

Almost inferior in terms of service life to silicone, also characterized by excellent adhesion to various materials, but it is much cheaper. Easy to use, UV resistant, does not burn out, can withstand temperatures from -25 to +80 ° C, but the seam is not very elastic. Therefore, its use is not recommended for joints that are deformed.

But these connections can be covered with varnish, paint or a layer of plaster. Since the field of application of the sealant is very wide, there are also non-moisture resistant ones. When buying, be sure to pay attention to it.

The seam is smooth and elastic, resistant to mechanical damage. Also has excellent adhesion to various materials. It is not rarely used when replacing old joints, in particular silicone joints. On top, if desired, covered with a layer of varnish or paint. With him, you must always work with a mask and gloves.

This is a hybrid of both types, incorporating all the best properties of both - durability and durability. Can be used as an adhesive to bond surfaces.

The most preferred is sanitary, ie.with the addition of fungicides, silicone. They perfectly sealed seams, sealing joints between plumbing and walls, fasteners, exits and entrances of the pipes of the sewage pipeline. In addition, they are ideal for renewing old stitches.

For example, it can be extenders( expanders), various fillers( chalk, quartz flour) used to fill wide joints, fungicides, organic solvents, dyes, mineral oils, instead of silicone plasticizers, rubber, etc. In any case, additives are allowednot more than 10% in the composition.

The main properties that any sealant should have: water resistance, durability and safety.

There are a lot of brands in the construction market that produce sealants for the bathroom. It is not difficult and be confused. Consider the most popular.

Produces the Polish company "Selena" - inexpensive, of excellent quality, often used for shower cabins. Available in both acrylic and silicone. The only drawback: it is produced in tubes with a volume of 310 ml.

Another brand that everyone has heard. Country of the manufacturer can be specified Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic or Russia. This is a group of silicone sealants for various purposes. Available in tubes of different sizes.

This branch of the German giant in the production of chemistry "Henkel" - also proved to be the best. Can be used as glue, attaching decorating elements, but it is not suitable for sealing aquariums, as well as food surfaces.

Sealant Turkish company, has a low cost, but good quality. Like Ceresite, can be used as an adhesive.

Sealants for the bathroom can be manufactured with special applicators for application in the tube. If they do not exist, you will need to purchase a special gun in addition. It can be battery and mechanical. The latter is inexpensive( 150-500 rubles.) And is great for home use.

Also required:

• clean rags;
• alcohol or acetone;
• soft narrow spatula;
• painting tape;
• gloves and mask for protection.

If you want, you can buy a special nozzle, which is put on the tuba. Thanks to her simultaneous application and alignment of the sealant.

Surface dry with a clean rag and degrease with alcohol or acetone.

To ensure that the seam is smooth and beautiful, and the sealant itself does not stain the surface, a paint tape is pasted along it. In principle, it is not necessary, but desirable.

Now the sealant for the bathroom is being prepared for use. At the tube at an angle of 45 °, cut the tip, put on the cap from the kit. Then insert the tube into the gun. If it is bundled with a special applicator, then the gun is not needed.

It is important to press the sealant gently with the same pressure on the trigger. If the seam is interrupted, there may be voids in the place of the rupture, into which dirt and moisture will enter.

In order for the seam to be smooth, it is carried out with a moist silicone spatula. He can also adjust the seam, if he came out crooked. However, some professionals successfully manage without a spatula, just gently finger-stitching the seam.

After that, allow to dry the sealant and ventilate the room well. It is necessary to distinguish the time of solidification and drying. These are completely different indicators. The solidification time of shows how much the sealant "grabs", i.e.will cease to stick to your hands and harden. Drying time indicates how many hours are required to completely dry the layer.

Despite all the laudatory comments about the silicone sealant for the bath, over time, it can form mold deposits, and in the seam - microcracks. Such connections require replacement.

First you need to get rid of the old seam. For this purpose, the silicone is scraped with a knife, you can use a conventional knife or purchase a special one for such work. This is the most time-consuming and time-consuming work.

It is very important to remove completely the entire old layer. If a little silicone remains, a new layer of a similar sealant will lie badly and the work will have to be repeated. Therefore, to replace the old silicone joints, the most commonly used sanitary polyurethane sealant. And to get rid of mold spores, the surface is treated with an antiseptic.

Be sure to check the wall between the bathroom and the wall. If there is mold there, not only the joint but also the whole wall is treated. Due to the inaccessibility, it is recommended to use products that can be sprayed.

The seam is then applied according to the standard technique. For reliability, you can use a plastic or ceramic curb, which is easily attached to the same sealant. It takes about 2 hours to work.

Another good and easy way to remove old sealant is by using special chemical agents or silicone remover .

A layer of cleaner is applied to the layer of the old silicone sealant, which should be 2-3 times thicker than the silicone layer. The waiting time for dissolving the old joint is from 1 to 8 hours. To reduce the time available layer of the old silicone seam can be cut with a knife. After the procedure is completed, the silicone is removed with a cloth.

To protect the tiles and other surfaces from the ingress of a substance on them, a paint tape is used.

Joints between the bathroom and the wall, as well as the connection points of the pipes, are sealed without fail.

The width of the cracks also matters when choosing a sealant for the bath. Acrylic is best suited for wide joints , but silicone, on the contrary, it is preferable to seal narrow .

Sometimes the sealant falls on the walls of the bathroom or tiles. It can be removed by rubbing with rags soaked in a solvent for paintwork or refined gasoline. To do this, you need to moisten the cloth and gently rub the contamination. It is not necessary to pour a lot of money on rags, otherwise there will be divorces.

For the renovation of old joints it is better to use sanitary sealants. And if the problem of the appearance of mold is always relevant, you should check the ventilation system. Otherwise it will be necessary to conduct antifungal treatment of the entire room several times a year.

Tubes come in different sizes( 80, 280 and 310 ml).For small household work it is better to purchase 2-3 small ones than one large. Working with them is much more convenient, it is easier to calculate the expense.

And, finally, do not save on the sealant for the bathroom. The cheap one will not last long, which means that you will have to update the seams over time. These are additional costs and labor costs. Remember, miser pays twice!