Resistance to moisture is one of the important characteristics for almost any building material. Especially if the repair takes place in the bathroom and sealing the bathroom is necessary. The joints, gaps and seams between the plumbing and the wall, where mold and fungus most often form, need to be carefully processed. The rating of the best bath sealants from various polymers is collected in the material.
Content:
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What is a sealant for?
Insulating compounds are used to process seams and gaps between plumbing and the wall
Sealant is a viscous mass based on polymers of a heterogeneous structure, used in construction to firmly connect or seal materials. It happens single- and multi-component.
In the composition of the product:
- polymers (base)
- filler
- hardener
- dye
To reduce the cost or give additional properties, additives are added to the product, which make up no more than 10% of the volume.
Among the most common additives are:
- expanders (extenders)
- fillers (flour from quartz, chalk)
- fungicides
- mineral oils
Silicone plumbing sealant
Plumbing sealants are used for:
- protection of joints between the sides of the bathtub or shower cabin and tiles (tiles)
- processing of seams between the back surface of the sink and the wall
- closing gaps between the bottom of the toilet and the floor
Sealing is necessary to prevent water from leaking into the gap between the bathtub and the wall, the formation of fungus, mold at the joints.
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Ease of use is one of the important factors when choosing a sealant.
A reliable sealant that adheres tightly to surfaces, protects seams and gaps, must have the following characteristics:
- Have high adhesion, do not flake off the surface
- Withstand high temperatures found in bathrooms
- Be elastic and withstand mechanical tension, elongation, load
- Have low dry shrinkage
- Harden quickly in air
- Be convenient to use
- Provide cost savings
- Possess high bioresistance
In conditions where it is necessary to use a sealant in an unheated bathroom in a country or country house, a high value acquires an indicator of frost resistance.
The most common plumbing sealants are white and transparent, but from different manufacturers you can find up to 20 colors of the insulating mixture.
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Types of sealants
When choosing a sealing product for the bathroom, you need to carefully study the composition of the substance on the package.
According to the nature of the acquisition of the final form, polymer products are:
- drying up. The sealing work is considered complete after the water or solvent has evaporated. A characteristic feature is significant shrinkage
- hardening. Get a finish look under the influence of air or moisture, changing the consistency from a viscous mass to a solid polymer
- non-hardening. The composition resembles mastic or plasticine
Insulating compounds are produced in packages of various shapes and sizes:
- Tubes from 60 to 100 ml complete with a cone-shaped nozzle for easy application
- Tubes with 310–600 ml of product inside. They are used together with construction pistols. The most comfortable shape and volume
- Buckets
- Tubes
- barrels
Application of silicone sealant
Depending on the main polymer in the composition and related additives, the product can be:
- silicone
- acrylic
- silicone-acrylic
- polyurethane
- aquarium
- thiokol
- bituminous
- butyl rubber
- silicate
For plumbing work, the first 4 varieties are best suited. The rest are mainly used for outdoor work or sealing surfaces in dry rooms.
Silicone
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Sanitary sealing products are most often clear or white.
The advantages of the product include durability and elasticity, as well as reliable chemical adhesion to various surfaces. At the same time, the polymer substance does not react in any way to sudden changes in temperature (from -50 to +200 degrees), exposure to ultraviolet radiation and moisture.
Sealant shrinkage after drying is minimal - only 2-3%. The product is available in different colors, which simplifies the selection of materials.
There are two varieties:
- Neutral. Provides high-quality adhesion to any surface, suitable for sealing gaps, but an expensive product
- Acid (acetic). You can distinguish it from neutral by marking "A" on the package. It has a pungent odor, is cheaper, but is not recommended for use with metals due to its oxidizing properties. The best application option is with wood, plastic, ceramics
So, for metal bathroom a neutral product is preferable, and an acid product is suitable for acrylic.
Silicone sealant is the only one among analogues that can be applied to wet surfaces. However, the product also has disadvantages: it is not subject to subsequent painting and does not adhere well to polymer surfaces.
Sanitary compounds are a type of silicone sealant supplemented with antifungal additives - fungicides. These substances inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungus. Another variety - aquarium insulating mixture - is used to seal joints.
Acrylic
Acrylic compositions are universal: they can be used both in the bathroom and in dry rooms
The substance, which is based on acrylic, is convenient to use and costs less than silicone counterparts, but is inferior in terms of elasticity. It is recommended to use for sealing fixed seams and joints.
The product withstands temperature fluctuations from -20 to +80 degrees. It is used for protective processing of seams between elements from:
- stone
- brick
- concrete
- tiles
- plasters
- wood
- PVC
- drywall
- ceramics
Among the advantages of the product is the absence of organic components in the composition and the possibility of using surfaces with a porous structure. The main drawback is the long drying time (up to 24 hours), although the composition hardens after 15 minutes. In addition, when applying too thick a layer, the seam quickly cracks.
When choosing an acrylic composition, you need to consider that it happens:
- moisture resistant (can be used in the bathroom)
- Not moisture resistant. Eco-friendly composition, odorless, used only for dry rooms
silicone-acrylic
Silicone-acrylic compositions are elastic, durable and reliably protect the bathroom from moisture accumulation.
A mixture of products with silicone and acrylic, which combines the advantages of both polymers.
Siliconized product provides reliable adhesion, is elastic and durable, but is cheaper than pure silicone sealant. The substance is also used as an adhesive.
polyurethane
The polyurethane product can be painted and varnished after drying.
One of the best insulating products for sealing joints in the bathroom. The polyurethane product is able to quickly set and harden under the influence of air after only 1 hour. Complete drying occurs after 7–10 hours.
The substance withstands mechanical stress due to elasticity and strength. If the seam of polyurethane sealant is damaged, it is easy to fix it. The product is economical, unpretentious in application, service life exceeds 20 years.
Compatible with different types of surfaces, prevents the formation of mold. Such a sealant is also used as an adhesive, and after complete drying it lends itself well to varnishing or painting.
Apply the insulating compound only on dry surfaces, otherwise a preliminary primer will be required. The product containing MS polymers combines the advantages of silicone and polyurethane formulations. Seams made with such a substance can withstand stretching up to 25%.
The main drawback of the material is the negative effect on the skin and mucous membranes. When using, take precautions and wear protective gloves and goggles.
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For wet areas such as the bathroom, it is preferable to choose a sealing product rather than a grout.
When choosing between sealant and grout for plumbing work, experts advise considering such factors:
- A polymer product is preferable for filling joints between moving surfaces: due to elasticity, ability to compress and expand, tears and cracks can be avoided
- Grout is best used to fill joints between tiles that adjoin directly to the bathroom or run along its length.
- Sealant, if applied incorrectly, is easier to remove than grout. To dismantle the dried polymer, you only need a sharp knife or solvent
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How to apply
In order for the sealing seam to be even, masking tape is glued to the walls and sides of the bathroom.
To seal seams, crevices and joints in the bathroom, use products in the form of a convenient applicator or additionally buy a mechanical construction gun.
For application you will need:
- personal protective equipment (goggles or mask, gloves)
- clean cloth or rag
- acetone (technical alcohol may be used)
- masking tape
- spatula for leveling
Sealant plumbing
The process goes like this:
- The surface is wiped dry and degreased with acetone.
- Masking tape is glued along the future seam throughout its entire length so that the substance lies flat and does not stain the surface
- Put on protective equipment, provide fresh air access to the room (when using toxic substances)
- The sealant tube is cut at an acute angle, the applicator is put on for uniform application
- The product is squeezed out into a slot or gap, capturing both contact surfaces
- The pressure on the tube must be constant, and the application line must remain continuous.
- The finished seam is leveled with a spatula
- The composition should harden (stop sticking to hands), and then dry completely
Replacing the old seam occurs in the same way with the only difference that the previous composition must be carefully removed from the surface (mechanically or with a chemical solvent).
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When sealing the bathroom between the plumbing and the wall, you need to place a substrate so that the polymer composition does not drain
The optimal consistency of compositions for plumbing work is gel-like, viscous, filling all voids. For small jobs, experts advise stocking up on several small packages, rather than one large one.
Depending on the initial conditions and sealing goals, when applying a polymer product, it is recommended:
- For wide seams, use acrylic compounds, and for narrow seams, use silicone mixtures.
- Do not use silicone acid sealants on glass, marble, metal, granite or cement surfaces.
- When filling deep joints between the wall and plumbing, apply a foam underlay under the bathroom shelf to prevent the product from dripping
- To fix the corner of the bathtub, also use sealant as an adhesive.
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Sealing compounds of the Moment brand are represented on the building materials market by a wide range of products
Sealing compounds must be of high quality in order to reliably and for a long time protect the bathroom from mold and fungus colonies. The products of such top 5 well-known manufacturers have proven their reliability for a long time:
- Henkel. A German corporation that produces several trustworthy brands at once: Ceresit and Moment. The product line includes silicone, acrylic, polyurethane products
- CIKI FIX. Turkish manufacturer of silicone-based formulations
- Belinka. The company producing paints and varnishes from Slovenia. Mainly silicone formulations
- Selena. Polish company that produces the Titan brand. Worthy product quality (silicone and acrylic sealants) is noted not only by master cladders, but also by consumers
- Krass. The country of origin of the product on the packaging may be Switzerland, the Netherlands or Poland. In the line of sealants - silicone, acrylic and silicone-acrylic compounds
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| Name | Variety | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Ceresit CS 7 | Acrylic | High elasticity of the finishing seam, the possibility of painting and varnishing |
Dow Corning 7091 | polyurethane | Universal sealant adhesive, best suited for acrylic bathtubs and shower enclosures |
Belinka Belsil Sanitary Acetate | Sanitary Acid Silicone | Provides high-quality adhesion with ceramics, evenly applied, has an antifungal effect |
Moment Germent | Acrylic | Best for wide seams, long lasting, thick |
Tytan Power Flex | polyurethane | Durable fixation, reliable connection, possibility of staining |
Ceresit CS 25 | Acetate silicone | Used as a fungicide |
KRASS | Silicone | No shrinkage after drying, the seam does not darken under the influence of UV radiation |
Makroflex SX101 | Sanitary Acid Silicone | Resistant to moisture and sudden changes in temperature, contains fungicides |
Rubberflex PRO PU 25 | polyurethane | Does not shrink, highly elastic, easy to restore due to self-adhesion |
Ciki Fix | Silicone | Universal reliable composition, resistant to temperature changes |
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Prices for sealing mixtures depend on their composition and packaging volume.
The cost of silicone sealants starts from 100–120 rubles per 80 ml tube. In the middle price segment there are transparent silicone-based formulations - they cost almost 300 rubles per 310 ml of product. The most expensive are the neutral compositions of American production - their price is 950 rubles.
Akrylovy composition in the average production volume is cheaper - 230 rubles per 310 ml. The same price for silicone-acrylic mixtures. Polyurethane products cost an average of 350 rubles per 310 ml.
The choice of sealant for the treatment of joints between the wall and sanitary equipment depends on the hygiene and cleanliness in the bathroom. Having reliably processed all joints and seams with sealant, you can protect the room from mold for a long time.
What types of plumbing sealants are described in the video:
VIDEO: Sealants: types, choice of bathroom sealant
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A visual master class on applying a silicone product to seal the joints between the bathroom and the wall is given in the video:
VIDEO: Silicone sealant - how to seal the seam between the bathroom and the wall
TOP-10 Best Bath Sealants: Choosing a Reliable Insulating Compound + Reviews
