A General Guide on Sealants

The demands for infrastructure repairs could not be met without specific construction requirements such as sealants. Sealants are used in building and construction industry both for structural and decorative purposes. It is commonly used in residential housing, construction, car maintenance and infrastructure development. Despite its different uses, sealants may pose risk if mishandled incorrectly. Here are some of the general guides in dealing with sealants.

Hygiene

Food and drinks should be prohibited inside the storage of sealants. Some adhesives emit dusts or toxic vapours so suitable dust masks, respirators and adequate ventilation should be provided during application. Skin contact should be minimised. Manufacturers should advise on cleansing and barrier creams for their products. Suitable protective clothing and eye protection may be needed if you are using a strong sealant.

Allergies, Spillage and Waste Disposal

A possibility that an individual may be allergic to a substance is always present. There is no easy solution to this problem if physical protection is inadequate. Complete avoidance to the exposure of these products may be the only remedy.

Spillages of any type should be attended immediately. Water-based sealants may be washed away with water before it dries. Avoid disposal into drains as this may clog it up. Another method is to soak up spillage with a material which can be closed in a suitable container for proper disposal. This is specifically for solvent-based sealants using sand, clay or powdered limestone as the absorbent material.

Utmost care should be taken into account when disposing empty solvent-based adhesives in order to avoid fire hazard. Empty containers must be carefully punctured or left open to ensure that no vapour is trapped under pressure, taking concern about the usual precautions on flammable materials. In all cases, the manufacturer’s instructions or label accompanying the product should be observed.

Storage

Some sealants should be stored in suitable fireproof areas according to the requirements of authorities and the manufacturer. All sealants should be stored in dry condition and reasonable temperatures preferably 5C – 30C. To ensure that the shelf life of adhesive products is not exceeded, strict rotation of stock should be observed and possible safety hazards from ageing should be avoided.

Remember to read the packaging before anything else. Keep it even after your application. Always ask an expert if you are unsure of anything. Keeping these things in mind ensures safety and of course, good sealant application. 

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.

Sealing your Home against Pests

If your house has pest problems, sealing cracks and crevices around your house can help to prevent them from entering your home. It’s also one of the best ways of deterring them from entering your property and a vital step to complete pest extermination. Here’s how you can do it:

Identify the pests

It may not be obvious but you may have more than one type of pest in your home and it’s important to know as much as you can about them. While no one wants to be familiar with pests in the first place (particularly the disgusting ones), it’s important to be knowledgeable so you know the best steps to take to get rid of them.

Find where they’re coming from

These pests can usually enter your home through cracks, crevices and holes in your home but worst of all, their favourite entryways may be hidden or hard to reach. Some pests are easier to spot though, for example, you can easily see where the ants are coming from but for others pests like cockroaches, it may be too difficult as they can practically fit into anything. You should take note of places they frequent and consider locations where they are likely to pass through. The presence of droppings in a particular location may indicate a favourite place for a specific pest.

Seal the entrance or exit

If you find where they are coming from, apply pest control solvents to get rid of them and then seal the entrance/exit off with a sealant. Use weatherproof sealants if the entrance is outside to prevent it from being washed-off.

Look at the space between doors and the floor

Since most pests are small, they can simply pass beneath the door or even the windows. Most of the time, sealants are not an applicable solution here but you can use door weather strips to keep them out if the door is closed. As a bonus, it also lessens the problem of water getting in whenever it’s raining.

Use other pest control methods as well

Sealing won’t do you any good if the pests actually live inside the house, so it’s often best to use pest control methods, together with sealing to maximise their effect. Sealing alone may not be enough to get rid of them because they can just find another route.

If all else fails, call a professional

In worse case scenarios, there’s no choice but to hire a professional to do it for you. It may be expensive but it’s worth it if the problem is too much for you to handle.

Sealant Tools from Sealants and Tools Direct?

In general, sealant tools are devices that are used for the application, finishing or removal of sealants. Sometimes the term applies even to the sealant itself. Basically, if you want to have a sealant finish like a professional, having the right set of sealant tools available will help you achieve it.

The application, finishing and removal of sealants don’t have to be done manually anymore. Of course, you still have to exert effort to finish the job well but there are several tools right now that make the caulking process easier and better for you. With these products at Sealants and Tools Direct, a professional sealant finish is no longer difficult to achieve.

So, what are the probable sealant tools you might need?

Preparation Wipes

It is important to completely remove all traces of the old silicone caulks before applying a fresh lot because silicone won’t adhere to another silicone. Ensure that the surface is wiped clean with Sealants and Tools Direct CornerTape, Silicone Sealant Preparation Wipes. It’s the easiest way to clean your surface without scrubbing too much. One swipe is all it takes and voila! You have an instantly, clean surface.

Sealant Tapes

There is no need to break into a sweat over the traditional method of applying sealants. Sealants and Tools Direct offer an array of sealant tapes such as CornerTape. Using sealant tapes saves you time because they are neater and easier to apply, giving your work a professional finish. If you’re likely to stick with DIY-projects, sealant tapes are your best choice.

Sealant Nozzles

Admit it, there are just some areas that you cannot easily reach and caulking those areas can be a nightmare. Make the task easier by using long sealant nozzles. Longer than your average sealant nozzles, they’re perfect if you have to use them in hard to reach places.

Sealant Guns

One of the most common sealant tools, sealant guns are often used to fill in cracks and gaps that you have to fill with silicone sealants. Some models may carry a small or large amount of sealant, depending on the cartridge space available. Other models allow the use of rotational nozzles which makes application in hard to reach areas more viable. Depending on what you need, Sealants and Tools Direct have a wide variety of sealant guns for you to choose from.

Strip Out and Smooth Out Tools

It can be so annoying when there are sealed surfaces that need to be smoothed down or stripped out. Well, not anymore. The Everbuild Sealant Strip Out and Smooth Out tool allows you to create a perfect seal, after every application. No mess, no fuss, you’ll never do your caulking again without it. While this tool may be optional for some, it’s very useful if you want a smoother finish.

Sealant Remover Tool

If applying sealants is difficult, removing them is far worse. With CornerTape’s Composite Silicone Sealant Remover tool, all you have to do is push, pull and scrape the old silicone free with just one tool. 

Overall, applying, finishing and removing caulk is a lot easier with all these sealant tools available. The only thing you need to do is pick the ones you need, move forward with your caulking project and admire your work that has all the appearances of being done by a pro. 

Keep Your Caulks with Proper Tile Care

For homeowners, worn, old and mold growth along the edges of the tiles surrounding your bathtubs, sinks and showers are enough reason to remove silicone sealants. Although it’s easier to fill caulk cracks using a sealant gun, mold growth on worn and old sealants is unsightly and poses some serious health risks making the task of removing them an important thing to do. 

The thing is, removing sealants is not an easy task. It’ll require some time and might need an expert hand to be successfully removed. Since silicone sealants are usually applied on your tile walls and floors found in the bathroom as well as kitchen countertops, regular upkeep and proper maintenance involving your tiles will help you ward off those molds from growing and your caulks from prematurely wearing out.

Tile Care Do's

• Regularly remove dust or any kind of debris on your tile walls or floor by either sweeping or vacuuming them.
• Always rinse your tile walls and floor with clean water to make sure that no dirt is left and that it’s mopped clean and dry. Keeping your tiles wet and exposed makes it a better place for mold growth. That’s why it’s very important that you avoid this by keeping your tiles clean and dry.
• Damaged or broken tiles can be easily penetrated with water and coupled with humidity might result to mold growth. Avoid this from happening by replacing the tiles. If it can still be sealed using grout joints, do it. Or else you’d have to resort to applying a fresh silicone sealant to it.

Tile Care Don’ts

• Avoid using tile cleaners with bleach or acid especially for routine maintenance. Acid and bleach might wear off your silicone caulks faster so make sure that you choose only the right cleaning aids.
• Keep out harsh cleaning materials as well like metal scouring or steel wool pads. These materials will likely scrape the glaze out of your tiles and damage your sealants too in the long run.
• While it’s fine to use coloured cleaning agents for your tiles, avoid using it if you don’t want to stain your unglazed tiles.

Overall, taking proper care of your tiles makes it easier for you to avoid mold growth and delay the all too immediate need for caulk replacement. Not that you won’t need to replace your silicone sealants but follow these few simple dos and don’ts to take care of your tiles and you’ll have years to spare before you will need to replace your caulks anew. 

The Best Sellers at Sealants and Tools Direct

Sealants and Tools Direct is one of the leading companies when it comes to silicone sealants and other building and gardening products. As an established company in this field, it is not surprising that many customers find their products to be of high quality and their services, excellent and reliable.  

The Top 10 Best Seller Products

1. SIKA Sikaflex EBT + Adhesive Sealant Filler White Grey Black Beige Brown Clear – This product is a one part, gun grade triple purpose sealant, adhesive and filler of permanent elasticity. It costs £6.08, including VAT.
2. Cox Powerflow Heavy Duty Cartridge Gun 400ml – This product is a highly reliable professional gun that is ideal to be used on a daily basis. It costs £19.31, including VAT.
3. Quilosa Color Ral Coloured Bathroom & Building Silicone Sealant – Looking for silicone sealant with superb quality? Then this is the perfect product for you. Many have chosen this and they loved it! It costs £4.48, including VAT.
4. Everbuild Tecnic 825 Low Modulus alcoxy Neutral Cure Silicone Sealant 380ml – Here is another silicone sealant that is proven to be effective and efficient. This product can be yours for £3.43, including VAT.
5. Milwaukee M18 Compact Percussion Drill – This heavy duty product is a best seller because of its great quality and capabilities. It costs £239.91, including VAT.
6. Cornertape Silicone XP XC Sealant & Adhesive – This premium silicone and adhesive product is suitable to be used for various purposes. It can be yours for £6.95, including VAT.
7. PowerPro Sealant Cartridge Gun 400ml c4 – A powerful heavy duty sealant gun that can get the job done. This product costs £8.99, including VAT.
8. Geocel The Works Hybrid Sealant Adhesive 290ml – Here is another sealant that can manage all types of jobs. It costs £5.75, including VAT.
9. Dow Corning C60 Low Modulus Silicone Sealant 380ml – A quality construction silicone sealant that comes in 11 colours.  It costs £3.19, including VAT.
10. Fixology Colour Ral Coloured Bathroom & Building Silicone Sealant – This sealant is ideal for bathroom showers and wet rooms. You can get this product for £5.60, including VAT.

Over the years, the product range at Sealants and Tools Direct has greatly developed. This allows them to provide their customers with bigger and better offers. With their consistent suppliers like Geocel, Everbuild, Dow Corning and many others, every customer is guaranteed to find the product that they are looking for without having doubts about its quality.

Sealing your Home against Pests

If your house has pest problems, sealing cracks and crevices around your house can help to prevent them from entering your home. It’s also one of the best ways of deterring them from entering your property and a vital step to complete pest extermination. Here’s how you can do it:

Identify the pests

It may not be obvious but you may have more than one type of pest in your home and it’s important to know as much as you can about them. While no one wants to be familiar with pests in the first place (particularly the disgusting ones), it’s important to be knowledgeable so you know the best steps to take to get rid of them.

Find where they’re coming from

These pests can usually enter your home through cracks, crevices and holes in your home but worst of all, their favourite entryways may be hidden or hard to reach. Some pests are easier to spot though, for example, you can easily see where the ants are coming from but for others pests like cockroaches, it may be too difficult as they can practically fit into anything. You should take note of places they frequent and consider locations where they are likely to pass through. The presence of droppings in a particular location may indicate a favourite place for a specific pest.

Seal the entrance or exit

If you find where they are coming from, apply pest control solvents to get rid of them and then seal the entrance/exit off with a sealant. Use weatherproof sealants if the entrance is outside to prevent it from being washed-off.

Look at the space between doors and the floor

Since most pests are small, they can simply pass beneath the door or even the windows. Most of the time, sealants are not an applicable solution here but you can use door weather strips to keep them out if the door is closed. As a bonus, it also lessens the problem of water getting in whenever it’s raining.

Use other pest control methods as well

Sealing won’t do you any good if the pests actually live inside the house, so it’s often best to use pest control methods, together with sealing to maximise their effect. Sealing alone may not be enough to get rid of them because they can just find another route.

If all else fails, call a professional

In worse case scenarios, there’s no choice but to hire a professional to do it for you. It may be expensive but it’s worth it if the problem is too much for you to handle.