Different Kinds of Sealants and Their Uses

Different materials require different sealants so it is no surprise that there are many kinds.  It varies mostly depending on the material that will be used for sealing including common materials found at home. The most common sealants used today are concrete, decks, walls and tire grout.

Concrete sealants are no doubt according to its name used on concrete. It can lengthen the life span of the material applied to it. Concrete sealants protects against extreme weather such as rain and ice. It also guards concrete from intense heat caused by sunlight, chemicals, stains and salts. They come in different variants either petroleum-based or water based and can also be clear or coloured.

Deck sealants are generally used for exterior wood. It helps the wood by improving its durability and combats decay overtime. Deck sealants are often clear when applied allowing the wood to shine. It protects the wood from the harsh sunlight and from water damage which can cause mildew. There are two types of deck sealant. One is the penetrating deck sealant which is absorbed by the material and a film-forming sealant which creates a protective film-like protection to the wood.

If you opt to change your own tiles at home or perform maintenance on it by yourselves it is highly advised to seal the grout between the tiles. To keep the grout clean and attractive, many sealants are readily available in the market. Grout sealers often spray tiles to protect it against mildew and stains. Heavy duty grout sealants can protect your tiles against serious damage such as grease.

For cracks on the wall, polyurethane sealants are the answer for that. It is useful in both commercial and industrial use. It is also used as heavy duty adhesive and for coating. Though it has the consistency of putty known for expanding quickly after application, it is flexible and elastic. Some kinds are even mouldable by hand like clay. It protects the wall against water damage.

Other kinds of sealants are driveway sealants, acrylic sealants, paint sealants, spray sealants and asphalt sealants.

Driveway sealants are used by tropical countries using airtight finishes. It can prolong the life of the material against UV rays, cracking and water damage if applied every few years.  There are different types and brands of driveway sealants available in the market. The best thing to do before buying is to read all labels and instructions that will fit according to your needs.

For joints that need movement, a flexible sealant should be used. Acrylic sealants have a rubber-like quality when it dries and should be used. Liquid sealants are used for construction project and should be joined using silicon sealants.

Paint sealants are commonly used in an automobile exterior. The difference between a wax and a paint sealants is that wax penetrates the car giving it glossy finish while paint sealants forms a hard barrier around the car. Auto sealants are especially formulated to seal and protect the car’s hard exterior against the elements. Paint sealants are synthetic polymers which not only adhere but also form a long lasting bond from the paint work.

Painted and bare surfaces have microscopic cracks not visible to the naked eye. This can be filled by applying a single or multiple layers of a correct spray sealant. Materials such as wood move along a conveyor and pass beneath a sprayer for sealing. Different spray sealants are available depending on your specific project needs.

For rough surfaces, applying asphalt sealants can do the trick by adding clean silica sand. To begin the sealing, instructions on the label should be followed.  For extreme cases, relaying new asphalt is the solution. Cracks and damage happens when a shift underneath the asphalt happens due to extreme effects from the weather.

Every sealant requires the surface that it will be applied to be clean and dry before application. An inconspicuous test spot should be also done to avoid accidental staining of the area. Remember to read the general instructions first on the label for your home project.