Bath sealant

The need to use sealing compounds when repairing a bathroom is obvious to everyone. The main task of sealant is to prevent water from entering the gap between the bathroom and the wall or between the sink and the wall. Also, with a complete repair of the bathroom, it may be necessary to fill the cracks in the wall material and sealing of pipe connections. For all these purposes, a special sealant for the bathroom is used, but in order to choose the right sealant for the bathroom, it is necessary to deal with the compositions of silicone sealants and what they differ from each other. We will tell about this in our article.

Sealant for the bathroom

To begin with, it is worth paying attention to the form of release of this material. At the moment in the store you can find a sealant in several types:

• Ordinary tube. Tube usually attached a cap with a cone-shaped nose. The mass of the composition in the tube fluctuates from 60 to 100 grams. By itself. Sometimes a small amount of composition is required, but from such a tube it is impossible to squeeze a smooth strip of sealant and you need to rub it out and align.
• Tuba under the construction gun. This packaging has a larger volume in comparison with a tube - 300 ml, but you can meet tubes and 500 ml. With such a type, it is much simpler, since with the help of a gun for a tube, an effort can be controlled, and it will have to correct such silicone less.
• Aluminum tube (sausage) or buckets of different capacities. This type is used only for professional work.

High humidity in the bathroom is inevitable. It leads to gradual destruction of unprotected parts of finishing and furniture, creates favorable conditions for the occurrence of mold and fungus. At the same time, the joints of those surfaces are especially affected, where water often falls.

Previously, to prevent the destructive effect of moisture, they used grouts, and now the problem is solved with the help of sanitary sealants.

Features

These compositions completely fill the gaps and cracks, prevent the appearance of mold, resistant to temperature fluctuations and water action. The masters use them to strengthen the fitting of plumbing to the wall or floor. In addition, sealants are used in external work.

The sealant includes: polymer base (silicone, acrylic, polyurethane), adhesion amplifiers, plasticizers, dyes. Some have antiseptic additives. There are means with organic solvents and mineral oils. The basic substance determines the characteristics of the sealant, its area of \u200b\u200buse, dignity and disadvantages.

Sealing agents are distinguished not only by the composition, but also packaging.

• Tubes in which from 60 to 100 grams of sealant. Sold together with a cone-shaped nozzle. The advantage of packaging is a small volume: no need to overpay for more sealant when you want to close one slot. But with tubes it is inconvenient to work, as it is difficult to control the power of pressing.
• Tubes with a volume of 300-600 milliliters under the construction pistol. The most convenient for household needs a form of packaging. The use of a gun allows you to distribute the composition is even.
• Aluminum tubes, buckets and barrels. Suitable only by professionals. Such volumes will be unnecessary even for owners of private houses.

More often you can see white or transparent means. In fact, their color range is wider - up to 20 colors. If desired, you can find sealants of black, gray, brown, blue, green colors.

Views

A detailed overview of the varieties of sealing compounds will begin with the most popular - based on silicone. They are acidic (acetic) and neutral. Acid is cheaper, but have a serious drawback - a sharp smell. While working with them, it is necessary to constantly ventilate the room. Another important point: the scope of their application is limited by materials that are not oxidized (ceramics, glass, plastic, stainless steel). And the metals during contact with acetic sealants are spoiled.

The acidic compositions also include aquarium sealants - this is a specific group, they are used only to work with glass.

Several examples of acid sealants:

• Ceresit 25 - reliably protects from microorganisms, is well distributed over even and porous surfaces, fastens tiles, glass, enamel;
• Bison Silicone Universal - refers to waterproof, even the action of sea water will endure, dries in 15 minutes;
• OTTOSEAL S100 - the seam view remains unchanged for 4-5 years, 16 colors to choose from;
• Tytan Silicone Sanitary - the composition is improved by bactericidal substances;

In neutral sealants there are no acids. Finding on the surface, they do not enter the chemical reaction with the material. It makes work more pleasant, but the price of these compositions is higher.

Some of them:

• Somafix construction - a rare composition of white, which does not yellow;
• RAVAK PROFESSIONAL - with anti-grab additives;
• Lugato Wie Gummi is also a bactericidal, palette has sixteen colors.

Silicone compounds are good because they are:

• durable, over time do not change color;
• standingly tolerate increased humidity and sharp changes in temperature;
• create reliable grip with different surfaces, including metal, plastic, glass, ceramics;
• elastic, and therefore they can be used, processing moving connections: walls of a wall with a bath or shower, drainage pipes;
• dry for 30 minutes, finally harden for 36-48 hours.

But the compositions of this group may suffer from fungus. To protect the seams in very humid premises, it is better to use sanitary or aquarium compositions with antiseptic additives. Sanitary sealant is the most suitable tool for protecting the seams that water often falls.

Acrylic sealing formulations are less suitable for work in the bathroom. Hyd, they give a strong shrinkage, so seam, often in contact with water, gives to flow. The connection is obtained tough and unreliable: it is destroyed by tension at 10%.

Acrylic and steel baths (or shower pallets) when heated slightly change the size, which is why the connection with the wall becomes movable. The acrylic sealant layer will soon crack.

But to fill the cracks, cracks and other fixed connections to use such compounds. We also can handle the edges of furniture and the gap between the sink and the wall.

Advantages of acrylic sealants:

• chemically neutral composition, does not react with surfaces, not dangerous to health;
• have good adhesion to plastic, glass, metal, concrete, brick and other building materials;
• dries in 15-20 minutes, hardens per day;
• from above, you can apply a putty, paint, cover with varnish;
• withstand temperatures from -20 to +80 degrees.

Another pleasant moment - the acrylic compositions are cheaper than others. But the composition for the bathroom must necessarily be moisture-resistant, even if the water will not constantly fall on it: the tool may suffer from condensate or random splashes.

Here are examples of acrylic compositions:

• KIM TEC SILACRYL 121 - moisture-proof sealant, withstands a long exposure to water;
• DAP Alex Plus - highly elastic siliconized acrylic composition with fungicides;
• "Moment of gements", Penosil - for sealing slots and seams that are non-consisting with water.

However, manufacturers found the way "bring to mind" compositions from acrylic: they made them siliconized. Silicone acrylic sealants are more elastic and serve longer than acrylic, and as harmless. In addition, they can glue different surfaces.

Another group of funds - polyurethane. For the strength of the clutch they are called glue sealants.

In addition, they differ:

• elasticity;
• lack of shrinkage during drying;
• low resistance to low temperatures, ultraviolet, humidity.

But it is difficult to work with these compositions in the bathroom: they will prevent their poor adhesion to plastic plastics. They will highlight the joint of the wall and a metal bath or a faience washbasin, but to install an acrylic bath, you will have to search for another tool.

There are other restrictions:

• the level of humidity of the treated surface should not exceed 10%, otherwise the pre-primer will be required;
• the maximum allowable temperature in the use zone is +120 degrees.

Formulations with polyurethane preferably acrylic. And choosing between the compositions with polyurethane or silicone, it is desirable to focus on the surface material and the location of the seams.

Polyurethane sealants there are no smell, but they are dangerous for the skin, so before work it is desirable to stock up the means of protection: gloves, mask.

A few examples:

• PolyureThane 50 FC - dries in 10 minutes, creates a good adhesion with plastic;
• Bostik PU 2638 - glue-sealant, produced white, gray, brown and black colors;
• Tytan rubber - well suited for the restoration of seams made by silicone compositions.

A new type of means - with MS polymers - combines the properties of silicone and polyurethane sealants. These funds form durable but elastic connections. Seams can withstand stretching up to 25%. Have good adhesion to all building materials, including plastic. Do not spread, it is equally well and horizontal and on the vertical surfaces. Thanks to this, it is convenient to handle shower cabins.

List the remaining properties:

• virtually odorless, there are no solvents in composition;
• at room temperature dried for 10-30 minutes;
• do not deteriorate under the action of ultraviolet, do not fade over time;
• withstand long-term contact with fresh and salted water;
• block the development of mold and fungus;
• processed seams can be painted.

Means with MS polymers have many major manufacturers. Among them:

• 1000 USOS - has antipband properties, presented in 10 colors;
• BISIN MS POLYMER - gluits any materials: from glass to brick, from rubber to iron;
• Soudaseal 240 FX - suitable for bathrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, polymerizes in 10 minutes;
• Bostic Soperfix - waterproof, indispensable for work under water, indoors with very wet air (even in pools);
• TECFIX MS 441 - protects from chlorine and sea water, there are additives against microorganisms.

Compositions may differ due to additives that attach certain properties. The price of these sealants is higher, but the quality of the compounds fully justifies it.

The only drawback of these compositions - they cannot be removed by the solvent.

Scope of application

People often interest what areas the bathroom should be treated with sealants and how to choose a suitable tool in each case. In this we will now understand.

First of all, you need to protect the gap water:

• near the bath or shower, where they border with the floor and walls;
• wall and rear surface of the washbasin;
• between the floor and toilet.

Universal means for this - silicone sealant. You can use the compositions with polyurethane or MS polymers. But the acrylic is better not to use: the seams will quickly come into disrepair.

Glue sealants will replace the usual glue.

This property can take advantage of:

• when assembling sewage - they increase the strength of the compounds;
• for processing a shower cabin - they are filled with a gap between the door and the pallet, so that water does not flow on the floor during washing;
• when finishing the walls of a cafeter - if you need to glue the tile to metal, plastic, plywood, plasterboard, chipboard;
• for repairing cracks in a tile and cracks along door jambs, fixing the ceiling plinth - with this task it will be better cope with the acrylic composition.

You can also use the sealant as a grout: Fill the seams between the tile. The connection will be more elastic and durable. If you want to revive a little interior, buy color sealant. You can pick up the color, contrast to the tile or close in color, but characterized by a tint.

Sealants are useful in the kitchen. They processed all sorts of joints near the washing, protect the pipe connections, use instead of glue. More sealants are necessary when you need to change the plumbing equipment.

Criterias of choice

The masters say that the correct selected sealant greatly increases the chance to get durable and beautiful seams. This is especially true for the bathroom. Permanent fluctuations in temperature, wet air, high risk of mold appearance - these tests will endure not every composition.

When buying a sealing makeup, pay attention to several parameters: it will increase the chances of not spending money.

• In rooms with high humidity it is recommended to use only moisture-resistant compositions, and better with a fungicide, which stops the reproduction of the fungus.
• It is more convenient to work with a means having a thick pasty consistency, especially on vertical surfaces.
• Most of the white sealants turn yellow, and with transparent it does not happen.
• In a good facility, the volume of additional components does not exceed 10%. Then they will not affect the insulation qualities.

• It is better to choose not the cheapest, but high-quality sealant of the proven manufacturer (Ceresit, Belinka, Ciki Fix, Tytan, "moment").
• If there is a choice between professional and reliable household composition, it is better to stay on the second: it is easier to work with him.

How to apply?

The sealing process can be divided into three parts: preparation of means and surface, applying sealant and finishing. It is not necessary to skip the first and last part of the process - the results of the hoping performed will have to redo it.

Remove everything from the surface that it may worsen adhesion and provoke fungus and mold: contamination, the remains of the former sealant. Some masters advise to degrease it with alcohol or liquid for removing varnish. After that, everything needs to be wiped, and deep seams dry the hair dryer. Traces of acrylic and silicone compositions can be easily cleaned with solvents (Penta-840, Silicone Remover and others). The remains of polyurethane sealant can be kept off with a metal brush.

Sealing the seam between the bathroom and the wall can be performed in various ways: with the help of ceramic or plastic ornamental corners, using special cement-based mixtures and synthetic sealants. The latter method is considered universal, the easiest, cheaper and reliable. Modern technologies make it possible to produce material with high adhesion indicators to moisture-resistant surfaces, oppressing the development of microorganisms.

Varieties of sealants

A type	Brief operational characteristics
	Enjoy the greatest popularity, differ in high adhesion indicators to polymers, natural enamel, ceramic tiles and other building materials. May be acidic and neutral. Acid is not recommended to be used in residential areas, neutral applies for bathrooms. Sealants withstand temperatures in the range of + 500 ° C -50 ° C. The disadvantage is very soft.
	At the cost of the cheapest, there are no smell, allowed to use without restrictions. Do not be afraid of direct contact with water. Disadvantage - over time, plasticity decreases. As a result, microcracks appear as a result of temperature extensions, in which dirt accumulates, leaks may appear. Require periodic repair or replacement.
	Made from silicone and acrylic, which improved their physical properties. All positive qualities of the components are preserved. Do not fear the effects of water, compensate for thermal stretching, have an increased service life. They can be used to seal the seams in open spaces and outdoors. Do not react to rigid ultraviolet radiation.
	The most modern sealants, have excellent adhesion indicators, in stability and durability occupy a leading position. Quickly harden under the influence of moisture of air. Polyurethane sealants are used not only to seal baths, but also for fixing various decorative elements, during the production of construction and repair plumbing works.

The quality of the sealant depends not only on the components of the parts, but also from the manufacturer's company. The higher its technological equipment than employees responsible, the better the quality of its products. We will list several companies that have a positive reputation among numerous consumers.

Name	Approximate cost	Physical and operational characteristics
	150 rubles	The most famous brand on the European Continent, the company has its own scientific laboratory, produces a large range of sealants of various purposes. The composition of the mixture, in addition to silicones, anti-gribery additives were introduced - microflora reproduction. Sealants have excellent adhesion indicators with ceramic tiles and enamel coatings. Do not emit harmful chemical compounds into the air, are operated in a wide range of temperatures. May have different color solutions.
	160 rubles	Silicone sealants with pronounced anti-grapple properties can be used in very wet and warm rooms, mold and fungi will not be multiplied on the surface. The material has a thick consistency, which makes it possible to close relatively wide slots. It does not have a big shrinkage after drying.
	130-300 rubles	It can be acrylic or silicone, the physical parameters depend on the manufacturing material. Consumer properties occupy average positions. They are not afraid of direct contact with water, they differ in good plasticity, which minimizes the risks of the appearance of microcracks.
	150 rubles	Shrinkage is minimal, sealing can be done in one technological pass. Have excellent adhesion with ceramic coatings, guarantee homogeneous without air pockets filling the cracks. If necessary, a second layer can be applied, maintaining. The range has a full range of all types of sealants.
	150 rubles	Special sealant for hospitals, public canteens, kitchens, children's institutions. It has the largest amount of fungicides, oppresses all pathogenic microorganisms. The seams do not lose the initial view of the entire period of use.
	590 rubles	Modern universal glue sealant, applied during the installation of shower cabins and sealing baths of baths. Differs high adhesion to all surfaces, inhibits reproduction of harmful microflora. The hardness is not inferior to mixtures on the basis of plaster. Applied by professional installers of sanitary equipment.
	70 rubles	The lowest price fully meets the same quality. Used not only for bath sealing, but also for gluing individual architectural elements. It is afraid of ultraviolet radiation, quickly ages and loses its initial properties. It is recommended to apply as a temporary substitute for better sealants.
	200 rubles	In all indicators, satisfies the most demanding consumers, can be used as a primary or restoration material. Excellent plasticity, high strength, has high adhesion to all materials. Does not lose properties under ultraviolet rays, not afraid of high temperatures and water. For durability occupies a leading position, applied by professional plumbers during the installation and repair of equipment.

grout Ceresit CS 25

This is only part of the manufacturers, we stopped on the most famous. During choice, you need to take into account the maximum number of individual characteristics of both the sealant and the place of use.

How to choose optimal sealant

It is recommended not to save on sealant. Hope that the appearing mold will be deleted in a timely manner, often happens in vain. Sealants should not only have high physical indicators of strength and adhesion, but also have antigribic properties. It is better to acquire professional materials, although their price is the largest. To seal the bath, one tube is quite enough, its value will not have a noticeable effect on the price of finishing works in the bathroom. The remains are tightly closed and stored for a long time. You can use such sealant in various cases, it is always useful to masters.

Application technology

Operational indicators in many ways are largely compliance. Do not miss operations, follow all the advice of professionals and manufacturers recommendations.

For the production of work, you will need a greasy tape, sealant, clean rag, solvent, narrow spatula. It is advisable to purchase a special nozzle. It puts on a tube and allows you to create a smooth surface of the sealant. After the nozzle, an even seam is obtained, if there is a small work practice, additional alignment is not required.

Step 1. Clean the junction between the bathroom and the wall from dirt, dust and fat. To do this, use the detergent, after cleaning thoroughly rinse the surface. Watch that much water does not fall into the gap between the bathroom and the wall, use the washcloths.

If you need to remove the old sealant, you can apply two methods.

1. Mechanical. A sharp knife neatly supervise the sealant fit places to the bath and the wall. Patty the end of the knife strip and tear it off. If small pieces remained on the surfaces, they can be scraped. It is very convenient to use the shaving blades, but not new from the stainless steel, but old. New sharp tips are bent and they stop cutting. Old such lack do not have.
2. Chemical. The sealant is wound with a special solvent or acetone. The surface is abundant and wetting several times, it is given time for softening (about 5-10 minutes), the old sealant is removed by a rag or wooden chopsticks. With active chemical compositions, it is necessary to work in the means of protecting the respiratory organs. After removal, traces remained - repeat the procedure again and so until the one's complete cleaning of the old composition. Solvents sealant are produced in the form of pastes, liquids or aerosols.

Make sure that the surface is completely dried. For warranty you can dry the hair dryer.

Step 2. Cut the tip of the tube, screw the spout. The spout should be trimmed at an angle of 45 °, during sealing the slice should maximally cover the slot. The cutting diameter depends on the width of the slit. An ideal option is a slot for several millimeters already, in this case, you can get a flat surface of the sealant in one pass, not to be cleaned. But it does not always happen, in some cases it is necessary to fill the gap for several passes. If the sealant fails, then you can first fill with paper or sponge, and leave no more than 5 mm free space for sealant. It will hold the liquid material before it is frozen. Of course, this is not the most optimal sealing option, wide slots are better close to cement solutions or special decorative ceramic corners.

Step 3. Insert the prepared tube with a sealant into a special pistol.

Make a few clicks with the handle until the sealant appears from the nose, remove the excess. It is advisable to spend several lines on waste, in this way you can get at least a small practical experience. If the hands are trembling - call the helper. Beautiful and reliably close the space you will never succeed.

Step 4. Puck the surface of the wall and bathing bath with painting scotch.

Attach the maximum effort so that Scotch lay smoothly, without bends and skips. It is necessary to remove the tape immediately after leveling the surface of the sealant, otherwise difficulties will occur. Scotch will undermine the thin edges of the sealant, water will fall into the undermines, the sealant will very soon completely clean, it will take a complete replacement.

Practical advice. If the gap is unintelligible and you have enough experience to fill it with sealants smoothly, then the salary can not be done. The sealant is perfectly leveled with his finger.

Step 5. Cut off the nose (or a special nozzle) as close as possible to the slot between the bathroom and the wall, slowly press the handle and at the same time lead the tuba along the bath. At the exit, a smooth layer of sealant should appear. The speed of keeping depends on the depth and width of the slot. Squeeze the sealant without stopping, the filling of the slot must be done continuously. Each stop will be noticeable.

• if the width of the seam does not exceed 5-7 mm and the surface is smooth, then it is better to align the index finger. Do not press it strongly to the material, the touch should be light and uniform over the entire length. Excess the sealant periodically wipe the rag. The finger should be clean;
• if the seam width is more than 7-8 millimeters, then it is necessary to apply sealant several times, to align with your finger such a wide band is very difficult. Use the rubber or metal spatula. Practices recommend working with a metal spatula. Why? He has sharp corners, during leveling, they completely cut off a flat surface from surplus on the wall and sides of the bath. Then you can easily remove these excess knife over the tip. There is no work experience - use paint scotch.

Final result

Video - Types of bath sealants

The bath sealant is an elastic composition for sealing joints. The mixture is used to prevent water from entering the gap between the wall and the side of the bath, as well as between the drain hole and the siphon. This uses various types of polymer-based sealants. Sealing seams with moisture resistant compositions is distinguished by reliability, ease of execution and versatility.

Modern insulating materials have a good clutch with a surface, resistant to the influence of moisture and the development of microorganisms. The editorial office of "Plumbing Portal" will tell about all the varieties of insulating compositions. To understand which sealant is better suitable for the bath, you need to know what they differ.

Forms of the release of insulating compositions

Waterproof bath sealant is available in several variations:

1. In an ordinary tube with a cap and a cone-shaped nose. The mass of such a product is about 60-100 grams. It is used when you need to take a small area. It is difficult to squeeze a thin and uniform strip in the tube. We will have to rub the gap, align the layer and raise the residues of the composition.
2. Tubes for the construction pistol. Characterized by a large volume - 280-320 ml or 500-600 ml. Working with such products is simpler because you can control the thickness of the strip of the degree of effort. It is also necessary to correct, but much less.
3. Aluminum tube (sausage), buckets of various volumes and barrels. In private house-building does not apply, these are professional volumes.

The most practical home option for seams in the bathroom is the use of substance in tubes for the construction gun. This is the optimal form of release to seal the joints with your own hands.

Features of the use of acrylic sealants

Acrylic sealant is used to fill emptiness and cracks in a variety of building materials (brick, concrete, etc.). Such material is great for gluing fixed connections (slots between the jamb and the wall, seelings in the pipes). This mixture is treated with unprotected edges of furniture installed in the bathroom, and also fill the joints between the sink and the wall.

These are the most budget insulating compositions. In this case, the acrylic sealant has good technical characteristics, among which it is worth highlighting the following properties:

1. Does not contain dangerous toxic components.
2. Chemically neutral.
3. Good grip with concrete, brick, plastic, glass, metal, wood and its MDF derivatives, chipboard, plywood.
4. Temperature range from -20 ° C to + 80 ° C and more.
5. Withstands a long impact of vibration with a small amplitude.
6. Suitable for use in mechanics and mechanical engineering when installing devices.
7. After pouring the seams inelastic, the destruction begins only when stretching 10-12%.
8. Relatively rapid drying.
9. The dried surface can be painted or varnished.

In general, the acrylic sealant has good parameters, especially with low cost and safety for human health. It is possible to work with mixtures based on acrylic. In addition, the insulation work is accelerated, due to the rapid minor of the composition inside the seam.

Disadvantages are also there. The mixture is seated when drying. As a result, during contact with the liquid, the seam flows. Therefore, such a composition is better to apply for connecting joints that are not in contact directly with water. Another minus is, before applying the mixture, the surface must be primed to ensure maximum adhesion and non-pending joint.

Another disadvantage is excessive rigidity of the earned seam. When expanding more than 12%, it is burst. That is, use acrylic sealant for sealing the joint of a bath or a shower pallet with a wall is not worth it. But you can handle the bilk baths from the bottom for better adhesion with the surface of the wall. Under the load of the seam changes its dimensions, so the junction must be elastic, so as not to collapse.

In addition, the acrylic mixture in the bathroom quickly loses white and becomes yellow. It is better to use colorless or color (there are such) a product. Another trouble is the active reproduction of fungi and bacteria in a humid environment on acrylic sealant without antiseptic additives. There are products with antibacterial composition, but they are also not suitable for constant contact with liquid.

When choosing it is necessary to remember that there are waterproof and non-desorable products. For use in the bathroom acrylic sealant you need to take waterproof. Even in those areas where water cannot touch him, the composition absorbs moisture out of the environment. There are also acrylic mixtures intended for direct contact with liquid, but their other characteristics are much weaker.

Use of silicone sealants

Very popular silicone sealant for the bathroom. In addition to dusting plumbing with supporting structures, used for:

• insulation joints of wood, glass, metal, plastics, ceramics;
• fastening of drywall to walls and ceiling;
• for mounting the pipeline.

In the composition of silicone mixtures may be acidic and neutral.

The cost of acid products is cheaper, but working with them in closed rooms is problematic - it costs a strong chemical smell until complete hardening. Another negative side of acidic compositions is in contact with metals, the material is quickly oxidized. Therefore, it is not recommended for the sealing of the cast-iron and steel bath.

Neutral silicone sealant does not react with any materials, so the area of \u200b\u200btheir use is wider. However, this complicates production technology, and the final cost of the product is growing accordingly.

Both acidic and neutral compositions can be waterproof and not. For connecting the bath with walls and docking drain with a siphon, only the silicone sealant is a waterproof.

They are also divided into one-component and two-component. For applying at home, as a rule, one-component, which do not need to be mixed immediately before applying.

The main positive characteristics of silicone sealants:

1. Good gluing ability. They can be used for the impermeability of the joints of plastic, wooden and stone window sills, when installing an embedded plate, washing and other devices in the worktop.
2. Increased resistance to high temperatures. Glue Sealant Silicone can be used to insulate seams around the chimney pipe.
3. Resistance to liquid, used to ensure the impermeability of the joints of bathrooms and shower cabins, shells and other plumbing devices with walls.

The main advantage of silicone mixtures - after sowing, it remains quite elastic. It is not cracking from the pressure or stretching when the joint is treated with acrylic or steel bath.

The main disadvantage is the susceptibility to the occurrence and reproduction of the fungus. To solve problems apply sanitary silicone sealant with antiseptic additives. Antibacterial properties also have silicone moisture resistant sealants for aquariums and special plumbing formulations.

Polyurethane sealing composition

Polyurethane sealants show the best results in external application. They are resistant to temperatures, ultraviolet and high humidity. Polyurethane compositions can be used in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen, as well as on open or closed, but not heated balconies and balconies.

Insulating polyurethane-based mixtures can be used on the street at minus temperatures (up to -10 ° C). The ability to work in the frost is the main and advantage of polyurethane sealants before counterparts.

Other advantages of polyurethane compositions:

1. Good bonding property, so they are called glue sealant
2. Elasticity after drying.
3. Water resistance.
4. Lack of shrinkage and deformations during drying.
5. High adhesion is connected with metals, brick, concrete, stone, glass and wood.
6. Most of the compositions after drying can be painted.
7. There are colorless mixtures that create a more accurate seam.

There are disadvantages:

1. Bad grip with plastic, which reduces strength in sealing acrylic or plastic products.
2. It is forbidden to use in zones with heat heating above + 120 ° C.
3. It is applied only on dry surfaces with humidity no higher than 10%. When processing wet zones, they need to be pre-primed.

Low adhesion with plastic plumbing introduces restrictions on the use of polyurethane sealants. They are suitable for isolation of the joints of steel or cast iron bath with a wall, stone, faience or glass shell.

Such types of sealing mixtures relate to general structure. Many of them are perfectly suitable for sealing interpanel seams in multi-storey buildings and similar works.

Compositions with MS polymers

Some experts believe that this is the best bath sealant. Due to the combination of characteristics of silicone and polyurethane compositions, this mixture reliably protects the joints from the flow, forming elastic and strong connections.

The main advantage of sealing substances based on MS polymers is a high bonding ability, but they also have other quality characteristics:

1. Excellent adhesion with all construction materials without the need for pre-primer.
2. Do not contain chemical solvents, safe and almost odorless.
3. Quiely dry and harden even at minus temperatures.
4. When dried, remain elastic (the range of elasticity is 25%).
5. After polymerization, you can paint.
6. Under the influence of UV radiation do not crack.
7. Waterproof, can be used in fresh and salted water.
8. When applying does not spread, on vertical and horizontal, inclined surfaces are easily created by a neat seam.
9. The anti-grab component effectively counteracts the reproduction of mold and microbes.

Among the disadvantages can be noted as follows:

1. High cost, but it is justified, because over time the seam does not crack and does not proceed.
2. During operation, the surface of the seam of white can be yellowed, while the dual quality will be saved. Remove the yellowness can be purified gasoline
3. If the mixture hardens, you can only delete it mechanically. No solvents on it do not work.

MS Sealants for the bathroom There are almost every manufacturer, and with different additives that give formulations with special characteristics. Therefore, this type of sealant is used to handle a bath or shower with a wall. In the case of the shower cabin, it is good and the fact that it does not slip with vertical application.

Another positive point - most of the compositions have a pasty consistency, which falls at exactly, does not bubble. After applying to primary rejection (film formation), the applied sealant can be easily loosen, giving it the desired form.

What sealant to choose for a bath?

Choose a bath sealant what is better, you need to specific goals. Then you can pick up perfectly suitable properties.

For example, the best sealants for acrylic bath are compounds based on MS polymer, which are optimally suitable for sealing the junction of plumbing with walls. It is not bad to cope with this task silicone and polyurethane sealing product with antibacterial additives.

The polyurethane composition compared to the acrylic for the bathroom is the best choice. It retains elasticity, does not crack. When compared with the silicone mixture, it is difficult to unambiguously reply, what is better. The advantage of silicone - in good clutch even with plastic, and polyurethane - no smell.

To fasten the mirror with a wall in the bathroom with an optimal choice will be neutral silicone sealant. The acidic acid can be used to treat tabletop sections, edges of furniture, which is constantly exposed to moisture.

If you need to stick the retardable ceramic tile in the bathroom, a polyurethane product is useful or with MS polymers. Due to the ability of rapid gluing, they almost instantly fix the part on the spot. Since polymerization compositions do not give shrinkage, it is missing and the risk of damage to the tile.

If a sealant is needed for sealing pipe connections in a bathroom, you need to consider the material from which the pipeline is made. For steel and cast iron highways, neutral silicone, polyurethane and MS polymers are used. For products from plastic and metal plastic, polyurethane is better not to use, and here the silicone mixture is suitable.

With the arrangement of the bathroom in a wooden house wall, as a rule, be shedped with moisture-resistant plasterboard. But since the building is constantly moving in height, a gap remains between the ceiling and GLC to compensate for these changes. So that the gap does not fall into the gap, it is filled with silicone and MS polymer compositions, which are distinguished by high elasticity.

To solve the problem of reprimanding seams, you need to choose compounds with antibacterial additives . There are also special sanitary sealants with antifungal properties.

For each type of construction, installation and finishing works, a certain type of sealant is applied. The best from the point of view of universality is a mixture based on MS polymers.

Consultants site recommend not saving when choosing a sealing material. Formulations should not only have high physical indicators of strength and clutch, but also have antigribic properties. It is better to buy professional sealants. Although their value is the biggest. To seal the joints in the bathroom, one tube is enough, its acquisition will not have a noticeable influence on the value of all finishing works.

Application technology sealant in the bathroom

Operational indicators in many ways are largely compliance. Do not miss operations, follow all the advice of professionals and manufacturers recommendations. For the work of the work, you will need a greasy tape, sealant, clean rag, solvent, narrow spatula.

We recommend purchasing a special nozzle. It puts on a tube and allows you to create a smooth surface of the sealant. It turns out even seams, if there is a small work practice, additional alignment is not required.

Preparation of the foundation. If you need to remove an old sealant, you can use one of the following methods:

• Mechanical. A sharp knife carefully to cover the sealant fit places to the bath and the wall. To hurt the end of the knife strip and tear it off. If small pieces remained on the surfaces, they can be scraped. It is very convenient to use the shaving blades, but not new from the stainless steel, but old. The new blades sharp tips bend and stop cutting. Old products have no such lack.
• Chemical. The sealant is wound with a special solvent or acetone. The surface is plentiful and wetting several times, it is given time for softening (5-10 minutes), the old composition is removed by a rag or wooden chopsticks. With active chemical compounds, it is necessary to work in the means of protecting the respiratory organs. If traces remain, then you need to repeat the procedure again. Solvents sealant are produced in the form of paste, liquid or aerosol.

Sequence of applying sealant:

1. Clean the mix between the bathroom and the wall from dirt, dust and fat with detergents. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and let go well. You can dry the hair dryer.
2. Cut the tip of the tube, fasten the spout and cut at an angle of 45 °. The cutting diameter depends on the width of the slit. The ideal option is a slot for several millimeters already. If the mixture fails, you can first be filled with paper or sponge, and leave no more than 5 mm of free space for an insulating layer.
3. Insert a prepared tube with a sealant into a special pistol. Make a few pages with a handle until the substance appears from the nose. It is advisable to spend several lines on waste, in this way you can get at least a small practical experience.
4. Pack the surface of the wall and the bathing of the bath with paint scotch even, without bends and skips. It is necessary to remove the tape immediately after leveling the surface, otherwise the complexity will occur. Scotch will undermine the thin edges of the sealant, water will fall into the undermines, the sealant will very soon completely clean, it will take a complete replacement.
5. To put the spout tightly to the slot between the bathroom and the wall, slowly press the handle and at the same time lead the tuba along the bath. At the exit, a smooth layer of sealant should appear. The speed of keeping depends on the depth and width of the slot. Suggest the substance without stopping, the filling of the slot must be done continuously. Each stop will be noticeable.
6. Fill the surface. This can be done in several ways: if the seam width does not exceed 5-7 mm and the surface is flat, then it is better to align in a slight touch of the index fingers; If the seam width is more than 7-8 millimeters, then it is necessary to apply sealant several times, to align with your finger such a wide band is very difficult. Use the rubber or metal spatula.

Attention! Do not pour water in the bath until the sealant is complete.

All work must be performed in protective gloves and mask. Inhaled chemical pairs are very dangerous, especially in polyurethane composition. After embelling the seams, the room must be left open to ventilation.

How much dry insulating composition?

The period of drying the sealant in conditions of high humidity depends on the components included in the sealant, as well as its quality.

1. The acidic compositions on silicone base dry faster - 4-6 hours. But it is not recommended to use a mixture for metal products, since it is possible to form corrosion.
2. The universal sealant with a thickness of 0.2 cm dries in 24 hours, but only at the plus temperature.
3. When processing seams between the wall surface and the bathroom, a thick layer of sealant is often stacked. Therefore, you should not look at the period of drying the mixture specified by the manufacturer on the package. Practice shows that the duration of this procedure often reaches two days.

How to speed up the drying sealant for the bathroom:

1. Enhance the ambient temperature to 40º.
2. Ensure the ventilation of the room, opening the doors, windows in the apartment, turn on the hood in the bathroom.
3. To clean the water sealant sealed with sealant, with a sprayer. Moisture accelerates the procedure for the polymerization of sealant.

Tip! It is not necessary to immediately apply two layers of the substance for one junction. Layers will lag from each other. It is better to immediately apply the sealant layer of the desired thickness.

How to remove mold in a bath on sealant?

The method of removing fungi with silicone sealant depends on the prescription of the formation and scope of the spread of mold. If a small plot is affected by fungus, and quite recently, it is enough to wash off with water and process this area with an antiseptic. Instant measures can guarantee the lack of mold in the future. Otherwise, you will have to use more decisive actions - to change the sealant completely.

Cleansing sealant from fungus:

1. In the container of a small volume, to dial warm water, add a few of any cleaning agent intended for the bathroom and mix well.
2. In the resulting soap solution, moisten the sponge and thoroughly treat the surface hit by mold, fungus.
3. Next, the cleaning solution is necessary to wash off with clean water.
4. After that, the plot purified from mold should be treated with any disinfecting composition (the usual bleach is suitable) to prevent the development of the remaining pores.
5. To obtain the maximum effect, the bleach, applied to the seam, should be left at least 10 minutes. After such a procedure, the surface will not only be well disinfected, but will also gline.
6. Before washed off the disinfecting composition, the processed area must be carefully grateted with a brush (sponge) so that it is guaranteed to penetrate the micropores in which the remains of mold are still preserved.
7. After such a procedure, the disinfector can be flushed off, and the surface of the sealant must be wiped dry.

Harm from fungus for the human body is not manifested immediately. Man inhales malicious disputes along with the ambient air. Their accumulation in the body is able to cause very serious diseases of the digestive and respiratory system, as well as other organs. The greatest risk of mold disputes represent for a person with a weak immune system and allergies.

The bath sealant is used to securely brake plumbing with walls or other details, as well as to create a waterproof joint. What makeup is better - based on acrylic, silicone, polyurethane or polymers, depends on the purpose of using the sealing mixture. Universal option - MS Sealant in a tube for a gun.