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.