Things to Consider when Choosing the Best Silicone Sealant

Thinking of buying a silicone sealant? Before you do, it is best to know the considerations when choosing the best silicone sealant for your need.

Silicone sealant is the secret to why our homes are more comfortable and pleasant. Maintaining the temperature of the interior of our houses during winter and summer is just one of the many jobs of a silicone sealant. Silicone sealants are also used in the automotive industry, electronic industry and infrastructures. They are probably the most versatile material that one can use for indoor and outdoor projects due to its flexibility and thermal resistance. 

However, sealants are not created equally and choosing the best variety for your project will save you both time and money. Choosing the wrong variety can branch out to a serious problem such as safety and quality.

For an average person who wants to use silicone sealants to fix leaks or gaps, the following should be considered before heading to the nearest sealant provider:

1.    Environment.Think first of where you would use the sealant. Environment is the major factor that determines the kind of sealant that you should use. Some sealants are made to endure specific environmental conditions such as high moisture levels, temperature, etc. Knowing the right kind of sealant that will do the job will save you both time and money.

2.    Function.The function of sealants may be classified into two: adhesive or sealant. Some sealants are created to provide the first function better than the other one. For one, other sealants may be good at being tight seals more than functioning as an adhesive in carrying pulling forces. Another consideration that is related to the function of sealant is its rigidity. Sealants can be classified into two when it comes to rigidity: high modulus and low modulus. High modulus sealants provide a more rigid bond when there is no movement required for the application. Low modulus, on the other hand, always allows flexibility and movement for the application.

3.    Material. Consider also the material where you will apply the sealant on. The effectivity of the sealant is related to the material where you will apply it. One should make sure that the sealant is compatible with the material you will apply it to.

4.    Safety.Some sealants have chemicals that may pose effects to the human body. Choosing the best kind of silicone sealants should also involve safety as a criterion. 

Choose the best sealant for your application otherwise you will have to repeat the same job next year. It’s imperative for a person to know the type of sealant that he or she should use so that money, time and safety will not be forsaken.

At Sealants and Tools Direct, we have in stock the best range of quality products. We have silicone sealants, colour sealants, adhesives and other products that could help you in any of your outdoor or indoor projects. Our products are made by leading manufacturers such as Everbuild, Dow Corning, Geocel, Cornertape, Milwaukee, CT1 and more. We also do offer fast delivery – get your items the same day and start with your project today!

How to Fix Basement Floor Leaks

Frustrating water seepage keeps us from utilising our basement space fit for living. How do we fix it? 

Basement floor leak is a common household problem that makes our basement an unsuitable choice for living. Concrete floors are usually porous by nature which means that water can seep through your concrete floor and make it damp. Furthermore, basements usually lack proper air circulation which traps moisture once it seeps through the floor. 

This can easily be addressed once you know what to do.  First, find out the reason why the basement floor leaks. There are usually two major causes for this: either the workmanship was poor when the floor was poured or the house could have settled allowing cracks to form. Either way, basement floor leaks are a pain and have to be addressed right away. Applying a concrete floor sealant will keep your basement floor dry and stop your leak problem. It can also prevent mold and mildew from developing and help your floor last longer.

First, do some preparatory works before you start applying sealant on your floor. 

1.    Move everything out of the area that has to be sealed.

2.    Clean your floor. Sweep and mop it to make sure that you get rid of dirt and debris. Sealants are best applied to clean surfaces.

3.    While cleaning the floor, keep an eye out for hole and cracks that are bigger than 1/8 inch.  These cracks and holes have to be filled with epoxy and latex fillers and be allowed to dry.

4.    Water sealants usually don’t adhere to painted surfaces. If your floors are painted, you may need a floor sander to remove the paint. After sanding, clean up the sanding dust and let the floor dry completely.

5.    Once the floor is dry, fill the cracks and holes with epoxy and latex filler and let it dry.

6.    You are now ready to coat your floor with sealant. Start on the corner that is farthest away from the door and slowly work your way out.

7.    Use a stiff brush and do a circular motion in spreading the sealer. Make sure to feather the edges so they wouldn’t be too thick. Allow the sealant to dry.

8.    Soak the surface with water and then allow it to dry.

9.    Apply a second coating of the sealant.

Sealing basement floors will prevent mold and mildew which can cause health problems when exposed to it for a long period of time. Keep the moisture and water leaks from your basement floor by applying sealants and ultimately safeguard your health and your flooring budget.

Using Bathroom Sealants to Prevent Moulds and Mildew

Does your bathroom have mould and mildew? Do you want to be spared the headache of dealing with these nasty problems?

Our bathroom’s temperature, moisture and damp conditions are the perfect breeding ground for moulds and mildew. They are unsightly problems that can be a health hazard, potentially triggering allergies and respiratory problems. But more often than not, they are just a revolting reminder to maintain cleanliness. If left alone, they can lead to rot and further damage. It is thus important to prevent them from getting a chance to take hold. Any spot where water can spill down unsealed cracks will pose a risk unless covered by a sealant which will block gaps and prevent water from seeping through. The most vulnerable areas are the showers, baths, sinks and toilets. 

When the water in the bathroom dries out, it evaporates into the air. This increases the humidity and since bathrooms are not usually well-ventilated, the humidity tends to be trapped inside causing the wet surface to dry out slower. Dirt from body oils and soap which is washed off serves as a food source for mold to feed on and there is an abundance of water source for the  from the running water and steam.

 

Bathroom sealants are an essential tool to avert these smelly and unattractive patches. They are silicone based and come in different colours to match bathroom colour schemes. Most usually contain fungicidal chemicals to add extra protection. Bathroom sealants are fairly easy to use but you can use either flexible caulking or silicone sealant. 

Remove any old sealant from the work area by using the blade of a craft knife and clean any remaining residue with fine sandpaper or rub it with some alcohol. There are also chemicals available to remove silicone. If there is mildew, clean it thoroughly first. Make sure that your bathroom surface is dry before applying the sealant as it repels water, as such will not stick to wet surfaces. Contaminants like oil and dirt will also prevent it from sticking effectively. Do not use too much sealant to avoid bumps and uneven surfaces.  Bathroom sealants stick to non-porous surfaces which are smooth, unpainted solid surfaces that limit penetration of liquid like ceramic tiles and porcelain.

Always remember to replace bathroom sealants every few years in order to ensure that the gap stays waterproof. Sealants are easy to use and can block water from seeping down crevices that leave damp area where mould and mildew starts to form. Be sure to get your sealants from trusted sources to ensure that moulds and mildew are a thing of the past.

Safe Handling and Storage of Sealants and Adhesives

Sealants are a viscous material utilised to close minuscule openings that are hard to shut with the use of other materials. It is commonly used in building and construction industry. Consequently, it is important to note the precautionary measures in handling and storing sealants to avoid hazards.

Safe Handling   

1. Avoid storage or consumption of food and beverages in the area where sealants are handled or used.

                2. Use dust masks and respirators and provide for adequate ventilation using flame proof exhaust fans if necessary. Sealants may emit dust or toxic vapours that could be hazardous to health when inhaled.

3. Use protective clothing and eye protection to minimise skin contact. To remove sealant that has come in contact with skin, use suitable antiseptic cleaning agents instead of straight solvents. If the sealant is water-based, it must be washed off with cold water before they can dry to avoid discomfort. Splashes in the eyes should be washed immediately with water and medical advice should be sought when necessary.

4. Empty containers must be punctured or left open to ensure that no solvent vapour is trapped under pressure. Aerosol packages must not be punctured unless pressure has already been completely relieved.

5. Warm containers of sealant-based adhesives must be gradually and carefully opened to release internal pressure.

6. To clean spillage, use sand or powdered limestone to absorb the sealant before scraping up the residue.

7. If burns occur due to molten adhesives, immediately immerse the affected area in cold water for several minutes and cover it with a wet compress. Do not attempt to remove the cold adhesive from the skin and obtain medical help immediately.

Storage

1. Do not store or use near flames and avoid sparks.

2. The storage area must be a no smoking area. The vapours that can be given off of a sealant or adhesive can be converted by pyrolysis to toxic products due to a burning cigarette.

3. Flammable sealants should be stored in a dry, fireproof area under reasonable temperatures and according to the requirements laid down by the appropriate authorities.

4. To ensure that you will not store the sealant beyond its useful shelf life, regularly do a strict rotation of the stock. This would also eliminate possible safety risks due to ageing of the product.

It is important to note the specific manufacturer’s instructions and directions printed on the product itself. Keeping these in mind would help eliminate risks of hazardous mishaps from happening due to improper handling and storage of sealants and adhesives.