Silicone Sealants: The Perfect Kitchen Finish

Kitchen and Bathroom Silicone Sealant is easy to use. It stays elastic after curing and it provides the perfect finish on worktops and sink areas. It provides a watertight seal and prevents debris and food from getting into the gaps between the kitchen areas. Here are some of the top sealants from Sealants and Tools Direct recommended for the perfect kitchen finish.

1. CornerTape Silicone Pro Bath & Kitchen Silicone Sealant – This is one of the best sealants for the kitchen surface. It has the following features:

·         Built-in anti mould formula to constrain the growth of mould, mildew and bacteria.

·         The full set of nozzles comes with various twist-off bead widths, for proper sealing.

·         It has colour-coded nozzles, which makes it easy to choose the right nozzle for the right job.

·         Nozzles are ready to use, re-usable and are pre-cut to 45%.

2. Everbuild 500 Bath & Kitchen Sanitary Silicone Sealant – An Acetory Cure sealant, it gives off a vinegary odour while curing but it has a high modulus and a faster curing time. This sealant is generally used for sanitary applications, with its powerful fungicide qualities and high durability. The sealant advantages are:

·         It prevents the accumulation of dirt

·         It is waterproof and flexible

·         It is quick-curing and does not discolour with age, even in humid or damp conditions

·         It can be used to seal around worktops, laminates, baths, showers, basins and sanitary wares

·         It can be used for cap sealing of metals, timber and PVCu window frames, trims and panels

3. Everbuild Bath & Kitchen Acrylic Sealant – A low odour, easy squeeze, anti-fungal sealant, it does not require a sealant gun which makes it easy to use. It is suitable for sealing jobs around the kitchen and bathroom. It also has a powerful anti-fungicide that prevents the growth of mould. This sealant has the following advantages:

·         Lasting flexibility and mould resistance

·         Adheres to most surfaces and easy to clean up

·         It can be used to seal around kitchen worktops, baths, sanitary ware, basins, ceramics, etc.

·         It can be used for any internal sealing, around metal or timber window and door frames and PVCu window and door frames

4. Geocel HM Bath & Kitchen Sanitary Silicone Sealant – A high modulus sealant, Geocel HM sealants are non-hazardous. Commonly used on glass, aluminium and painted wood, it is highly flexible with strong fungicide and good adhesion to a range of non-porous substrates. This sealant has the following characteristics:

·         Fungus and mildew resistant

·         Elastic

·         Follows the ISO11600-F-20LM

·         Especially developed for sealant contractors

·         Resistant to ozone, ultra-violet radiation and extreme temperatures

 Kitchen silicone sealants prevent any gaps that can accumulate dirt and mould build-up. For more variety of kitchen and bathroom sealants, please contact Sealants and Tools Direct on 01626 333360.

4 Quick Steps on How to Apply Silicone Sealant

You don’t have to be a pro to be able to apply a silicone sealant on windows, doors or other leaking equipment. Follow these 4 quick steps on how to use silicone sealant effectively:

1.       Clean the area

Clean the area first before applying the silicone sealant. In case there are traces of the old sealant, remove this by using a knife or a screwdriver. Be careful not to cut or scratch your window, door, etc. Also, be careful not to hurt yourself. Use a cloth to wipe the entire area where the silicone sealant is to be applied.

2.       Prepare the materials

Make sure that you have all the materials that you need to apply the silicone sealant before you start the application process. Prepare the sealant, the sealant gun (if needed), water and the soap to save on time and hassle.

3.       Apply the silicone sealant

Put thin linings of the silicone sealant on the areas that leak. Make sure that you completely fill the gap so that it will totally stop water or other liquid from leaking. Make the application process as neat as possible to ensure that the sealant will be unnoticeable.

4.       Polish the area

The last step is to polish your work. Dip your finger into the water and slightly rub it into the soap. Smooth the silicone sealant that you have just applied. Tighten the sealant on the gap to make the effect of the sealant long lasting. Dip again into the water and soap if you noticed a build-up of silicone on your finger. Continue until the entire area is totally smooth.

Silicone sealant is very easy to use and is non-hazardous. Follow these quick steps to stop the leaks in your house. The application process usually only takes an hour or less.

Sealants & Tools Direct offers quality building and garden products. You can simply contact at 01626 333360 or email at info@sealantsandtoolsdirect.co.uk. 

Differences between sandpapers

There are many varieties of sandpaper available on the market today. They come in different grits, sizes, abrasions, materials and backings. Each has its own purpose. Here is a list of the different characteristics and types of sandpapers.

Sandpaper materials – They are responsible for the smoothing and shaping of materials.

• Ceramic – one of the hardest materials that are used to make sandpaper, they are also the most expensive. They are used to shave and level woods.
• Garnet – it is made from fine sand particles. It is cheap but less durable. Also primarily used on wood.
• Silicon Carbide – this type of sandpaper can come in many grits and is very coarse. It is primarily used to cut metals, plastics and fiberglass. It can be used even on wet surfaces.
• Aluminium Oxide – this is available in all type of grits, making it perfect for general use. Its primary use is for sanding down wood and metals.
• Chromium (III) oxide – this has an extremely fine grit, measured at micrometre levels.
• Emery – commonly used to polish metals.

Grit level – this is the abrasive measurement for sandpapers. It is responsible for the coarseness of the sandpaper. The higher number of grits is used for polishing and refining, while sandpaper with a lower number of grits is used for shaping materials. Below is a table of sandpaper grits and their recommended usage.

Size	Grade	Recommended Material(s)	Purpose
30 – 40	Very coarse	Metal and Wood	Shaping, Removing rust
40 – 60	Coarse	Metal and Wood	Removing scratches, shaping and removing paint
60 – 100	Medium	Wood and Plaster	Removing marks or dents, smoothening of walls
100 – 160	Fine	Wood and Plaster	Used before finishing
160 – 220	Very-Fine	Wood and Plaster	Final sanding
220 – 250	Extra-Fine	Wood and Plaster	Final sanding
250 - 400	Extra-Fine	Wood and Plaster	To provide a silky feeling
400 - 800	Super-Fine	Wood, Plaster and Glass	Used for wet-sanding, it provides sheen
800 – 1000	Ultra-Fine	Glass, Car Paint	Primarily used for polishing

Backings – the most common sandpaper backing is made of paper. Other backings include cotton, polyester, rubber, fibre, rayon and mylar. Special backing materials like cloth are used for sandpaper discs, mylars are mainly used for finer grit sandpaper backing. The softer the backing material, the more flexible the sandpaper will be.

Backings are also classified into different weights – ranging from A to F. “A” being the lightest and “F” the heaviest.

Shapes and Forms– there are many sandpaper shapes to suit every application. The common shape is the sheet type.

• Sheet type – usual size is 230 x 280mm.
• Rolls.
• Triangle – specifically made for “palm sanders”.
• Sponge – used for tight areas.
• Belt – specifically made for “belt sanders”.
• Disk – specifically made for “orbit sanders”.

The above information is essential for sanders. If not used properly, sandpaper may do more harm than good.

Sealants Tools & Direct offers a wide array of sandpapers that are available in many forms, sizes and grits. We offer our sandpapers in bundles for maximum savings. For order placements you may reach us on 01626 333360. Alternatively, you may visit our website and use our online order form.

Silicone Sealants – Versatile and resilient

Sealants are useful for a wide variety of applications - there’s plenty to choose from and each has its special properties but if you only need one in your toolset, then we suggest silicone sealants. Here’s why they stand out from the rest:

·         Silicone is well-known for its strength, resilience and reliability. All good reasons why silicone sealants are widely used in several industries, particularly carpentry.

·         As an example of its resilience, silicone can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -55 °C, up to +300 °C. This is why silicone sealants remain useful in extreme environments and fire control.

·         Silicone performs just as other sealants - it is perfectly capable of sealing cracks and gaps, while filling up empty spaces. It can also adhere to most surfaces.

·         Silicone sealants are versatile and can keep out pretty much anything: dust, sound, liquids, air, fire and smoke. Other sealants may give a better performance in specific areas but for general sealing needs, silicone will be enough.

·         Silicone inhibits mould and bacteria from growing on it, making it the sealant of choice for bathrooms and aquariums.

·         Silicone has low water solubility, which again, makes it a great choice for bathrooms, aquariums, bathtubs and swimming pools.

·         Some silicone sealants have high dielectric strength, which means they can even withstand high voltages of electricity. Compare it to other sealants, which only become burned or destroyed.

·         Silicone will practically last throughout its expected lifetime, although this may depend on the environment in which it has been applied. Silicone sealants are especially useful if you expect them to be exposed to damaging sources like heat, ozone and ultraviolet.

·         No need to worry about highly volatile chemicals spilling on silicone sealants - silicone is highly inert and thus, does not react to most chemicals.

·         Silicone has good retention – it will go back to its original shape, even if it encounters extreme force or temperatures.

A tube of silicone sealant has all of the benefits listed above. You can buy sealant and other tools in our store.

The Importance of Sealants for Swimming Pools

Swimming pools should be well-maintained to prevent future accidents and injuries to swimmers. Whether it is just a broken tile or a carved part of the wall, it should be repaired right away to maintain 100% safety of the swimmers.

Injury Prevention

Stepping upon a broken tile accidentally is very painful. If you are practising your back stroke and your head bumped into a carved part of the swimming pool, surely, that will cause either a bruise, a cut, or some major injury. No one would want to be injured. If you have a swimming pool in your house or you are either the owner or the supervisor of the swimming pool activities in your resort, you have to take in consideration the safety of everyone. One way to prevent bad things from happening is to stock sealant for swimming pools in order for you to respond as soon as possible if your swimming pool had cracked or has broken tiles.

No need to call for Professionals

Because sealants are very handy and are easy to use, there's no need for you to call for professionals to repair minor damages in your swimming pool. You can even do it yourself anytime by simply following the instructions written on the sealant cover. This can help you save a lot of money and time for labour.

Reduce Repair Hassle

Swimmers, especially athletes, have to practise every day. Even if it's just a minor damage in your tiles, that can still affect the schedule of the swimmers' activities in the pool. Silicone sealant make wonders when it comes to reducing time that we spend in minimal repairs especially if the swimming pool is used every day like in a university, resort, hotel, condominium, or olympic training swimming pool. Good thing is that, because you can buy silicone sealants even before the damage comes, you can repair the minor damage in your swimming pool right away. Just like a first aid kit, swimming pool sealants are essential for you to maintain your swimming pool in best condition. Having sealants ahead of time will save you up on worries when an unexpected circumstance happened that caused your pool to have damage/s.

Save on Money

Sealants for swimming pools are very affordable. Rather than hire someone to repair the minor damages in your swimming pool and buy expensive labour materials, having a reliable tool for repair and by simply doing it yourself will help you save on money.

If you want to be updated on different kinds of sealants, you can like Sealants and Tools Direct's Facebook page. Thanks for reading!

Caulking Considerations You Should Not Overlook

If you're planning on making caulking a profession, then you’ll probably be looking for a sealant gun to help you work efficiently with your caulking projects.

Sealing or caulking is one of the most effective actions to fill and seal cracks, gaps or any joints inside and outside your home. Most caulking materials like silicone are easy to use, durable and virtually waterproof and weatherproof. This makes them a good choice if you want to improve the look of your home and lengthen the service life of any surface. The fact that you can use caulks on practically any surface including tiles, sidings, mouldings, bathtubs, plumbing fixtures, window panes, skylights, baseboards, roofing, blacktop, plaster walls, gutters and even your fireplace makes them ideal for you to use over multiple applications.

If you're planning to make a serious career out of caulking, there are some caulking considerations that you shouldn't overlook:

Never ignore loose caulk – loose caulks are one of the reasons that floor tiles get dislodged over time. Water is likely to cause mould, which makes the tiles slippery and hazardous.

Caulks can act as a glue equivalent or as a sealant – as you have read earlier, caulk is the best sealant material that can also be treated as a glue equivalent because of its flexibility and durability in sealing joints. Caulks can also prevent your tiles from becoming loose.

Never apply new caulks without removing the old – if you want to feel like a caulking pro, always remember the rule of remove, clean and re-apply. That is, remove the old caulks and thoroughly clean the surface before you re-apply.

There are different types of caulking material – you may hear about water-based caulks, latex caulks, acrylic latex caulks, PVA caulks or silicone caulks. Water-based caulks are those that can be cleaned by simply using a solution of mild soap and water. Silicone caulk on the other hand will require a sharp, single-edge razor to do the job properly.

When choosing the right caulk, make sure you consider the surface – different surfaces might require different caulking materials for utmost efficiency. For one, PVA or polyvinyl acetate and latex caulks are mildew-resistant, so they're good to use inside bathrooms or on surfaces that are often exposed to wet or damp conditions. When working with fibreglass or ceramic tile walls, silicone caulk is the best option.

Always wait at least overnight for your caulks to dry – whatever your choice of material, caulks will always take time to set in, dry and really harden. For bathroom caulking projects, wait at least overnight before you subject the newly caulked tiles to damp conditions.

Considering the above points, you are now ready to start your own caulking project.

Contact us at Sealants and Tools Direct if you want to buy your own caulking equipment.

6 Quick Steps to Repair a Leaking Aquarium

A leaking aquarium is a safety hazard both for both you and your pet fish. This article will help you to personally fix the leaking aquarium in just a few minutes. Just follow these step by step instructions and your aquarium will be as good as new in no time.

1. Find the spot where the leak is coming from. If the leak is not that noticeable, thoroughly check and source where the leak originates. You may also check any joins in the glass or the sealants. Once you have found the offending spot, encircle it using a marker. This will outline where you should apply the aquarium sealant.

2. Drain the water from the aquarium. Transfer the fish and plants to a container filled with water to keep them safe, before applying the sealants. It is important to ensure that the container is dry to guarantee the durability of the sealants. They may not stick to the aquarium if it is still wet.

3. Remove the old and damaged sealant using a cutter or razor. It is not advisable to apply new sealant without removing all traces of the old. Layering the new sealant on top will only make it weak and prevent it from adhering properly to the surface. If you opt to apply the sealant from the inside, make sure that all traces of unwanted sealant are removed so that the fish are not harmed.

4. Clean the aquarium using a towel. The aquarium should be clean and dry before you attempt to apply the sealant. Dirt can affect the sticking capacity and durability of sealants. If the towel is quite wet, let the aquarium dry for about 15 minutes.

5. Apply the aquarium silicone to the leaking area. Make sure that there is no excess sealant. Let it dry for a minimum of 12 hours. To ensure its best quality, do not move or touch it for 24 hours.

6. Check for further leaks. After 24 hours, you may fill the aquarium in order to check that it is water-tight. Once you have ensured that there are no further leaks, plants and fish may be re-introduced to the aquarium.

Since you already know how to repair a leaking aquarium, you may contact Sealants & Tools Direct now to purchase durable aquarium sealants. Thanks for reading!


Image Credits: Reef Addicts