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.

Sealant Guns at Sealants and Tools Direct

The quality of materials we use is a very important factor to ensure the effectiveness of any task or activity that we perform.  Low or substandard materials can not only produce poor results, they usually prove to cost more in the long run. High quality and appropriate tools are crucial in order to achieve the desired effect or outcome. If you are looking for quality building and gardening products Sealants and Tools Direct can offer you a wide variety of these materials. From silicone sealant to sealant guns, they have it all in store for you.

What is a sealant gun?

A sealant gun - sometimes referred to as a caulking gun, depending on the substance that’s being used - is a tool that is used to effectively fill in cracks in your windows, doors or other areas of the house with gaps or cracks.

How does it work?

First, you have to load the tube of sealant or caulk into the gun. Make sure that the nozzle is placed towards the front of the gun. Once this is properly done, you then proceed in cutting the tip of the tube according to the needed size. It may be necessary to use a pin to puncture the seal. You can now hold the gun along the crack or gap that you want to seal and squeeze the trigger to release the sealant or caulk.

The different sealant guns available at Sealants and Tools Direct

At Sealants and Tools Direct you can choose from a wide range of high quality sealant guns according to your needs and budget. The most affordable sealant gun, the DIY Sealant Cartridge Gun 400ml C3, C4 costs a mere £3.50 (£4.20 VAT included). On the other hand, if you prefer to spend a little more, their most expensive gun is the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Sealant Caulking Barrel Gun which costs £296.10 (£355.32 VAT included).

Other brands and kinds available:

• Cox Easiflow HD 400ml Pro Sealant Mastic Applicator
• Cox Powerflow Combi Manual Sausage Barrel Gun
• Cox Powerflow Heavy Duty Cartridge Silicone Sealant Gun
• Everbuild Power Pro Silicone Sealant Gun
• Everbuild Professional 900ml Jumbo Sealant Gun
• Everbuild Tecnic Combi Barrel Sausage Foil Pack
• Milwaukee M12 Cordless Sealant Caulking Barrel Gun

These sealant guns vary depending on their weight, speed settings and whether a unit comes with Lithium Ion battery or bare unit only.

Silicones for The Electronic Industry

Silicones can truly be considered as a versatile compound for it can be used in a variety of industries. In our previous posts, we have already discussed how silicones are considered to be of great help to the infrastructure and automotive industry. Today, we will discuss how silicone sealants are part of the great help in order to meet the demands in the electronic industry.

In the world that we are living in today, people should keep pace with the technology and one way of keeping up with the demands in the electronic industry is by using silicone sealants. Silicones, because of its composition, ensure that the sensitive electronic parts are working as they should be. Aside from that, silicone sealants can also provide the following to any electronics:

1. Resistance to temperature - Because of its composition, silicone sealants that are used to fill the gaps between spaces can be used even under the hottest temperature. Some silicone can still work well with above 150°C.
2. Adhesive - Silicone is self-adhesive. Therefore, it is ideal for many substrates.
3. Resistance to chemicals - Silicone sealants are not only resistant to aqueous solutions; they can also resist dilute acids, bases and polar solvents.
4. Resistance to radiation - Silicones have has about ten times higher permeability than other sealants or rubbers. It can withstand high doses of electromagnetic radiation.
5. Environmental advantage - Compared to other compounds, silicones have lower order of toxicity when it is cured.

Silicones are used to in circuit-boards in computers and in cell phones as well. The compound is an essential component in order to provide insulation for electronics that easily heat up. Furthermore, electronic-grade silicone sealants that serve as adhesives provide durable function for insulation to electronics. They are excellent barriers against natural contaminants such as moist and rust. Silicone sealant also absorbs the stress, shock and vibration that are caused by both temperature and humidity. To top it all, it is also good to take note that silicones improve the appearance of the electronics during reconstructions.

In Sealants Tools and Directs, we have excellent product range and services that you can choose from. We are in the process of continuous product development to further enhance the services we provide our clients.

Sealants and Tools Direct Ltd

Unit 6 The Old Cider Works
Abbottskerswell
Newton Abbott
Devon
TQ12 5NF

Advice / Sales: 01626 333360

Email: info@sealantsandtoolsdirect.com