How to apply sealant for exterior work. How to remove old sealant and apply new one

IN Lately Sealing of crown joints has become popular modern materials based on acrylic raw materials. Wood sealants such as Ramsauer Acryl 160 are ideal not only for exterior applications, but also for interior applications.

As a rule, sealing takes place in several stages.

• wood surface preparation
• laying the harness
• finishing

Surface preparation

At the very first stage, the wood is prepared. What does this mean? The intercrown seam is thoroughly cleaned of old paint or varnish, if they were previously applied. This is done to increase the adhesion of the sealant to the wood, since dried paint tends to fall off over time. After removing the old paintwork from wooden beam the surface is carefully polished. This can be done either with special grinding machines, or you can do it manually with sandpaper, but the process will take a lot of time.

Laying the harness

The tourniquet is attached to the interventional seam with a stapler on staples, or with glue, for example “Liquid tape”. Laying the cord does not require special skills and is quite simple and quick.

Applying sealant

Before directly applying the sealant, to make the crown joint even, it is necessary to apply masking tape to the logs. This will further simplify the work of leveling the seam of a wooden house.

Wood sealant is applied to the seam with a special gun. This can be a simple gun for cartridges or file packages, or a professional gun for sealant. It allows you to draw sealant directly from the bucket using the “syringe” method, that is, you place the gun in the container and simply pull it inside the gun using a handle with a rod.

The sealant is applied evenly to the seam and carefully smoothed with a spatula. If you used masking tape before, the seam will be perfectly smooth. Excess sealant is collected back from the spatula and reused. It is important to take into account that the polymerization process of the sealant begins within an hour and therefore it is advisable not to delay the alignment of the seam. As a rule, it is more convenient and convenient to work together. One person applies the sealant, and the second smoothes and evens out the seam.

Finishing

After applying the sealant, the final work begins. What are they? Remove the masking tape containing excess sealant. The finishing coating is applied in the form of impregnation or varnish. And it turns out to be such beauty.

You can also order work on sealing your home using the “ warm seam" The asking price is from 90 rubles per linear meter.

You can leave your application below.

Before you begin, you must properly fix the tube with sealant in the gun. Pay special attention to trimming the silicone tip. Make a hole using a utility knife, cutting the tip at an angle of 45 degrees and at such a distance that the diameter of the resulting hole matches the size of the seam being sealed.

Before starting work, lightly press the trigger of the gun so that the first drops of silicone appear in the hole, which will mean it is completely ready for action. After this, we move on to considering the question of how to properly apply silicone sealant. Clean the desired surface from dust and dirt and degrease it with a special product. This procedure can be done using gasoline or alcohol.

If the gluing procedure on this surface has been carried out more than once, then be sure to clean it of any remnants of old silicone. This can be done using a simple spatula. If the surface is damaged by fungus or mold, be sure to disinfect it with a special product and wipe with alcohol. After applying the solvent, wipe the surface dry with a cloth.

Apply masking tape parallel to the seam to protect the rest of the surface from contamination with the sealant. Between the glued tape, leave exactly the space where the silicone will be applied. As a result, all excess sealant will end up on the glued strips. How to apply silicone sealant evenly so that it lays on the seam in an even strip?

When processing a seam, keep the gun at the same distance from it at all times. Don't apply the layer too quickly, as you will end up with broken stripes of silicone with bubbles inside. Also, do not hesitate to remove excess silicone. We give the seam an aesthetic appearance. This can be done using a spatula, removing excess silicone with it.

Another good way treat the seam with a finger dipped in a soapy water solution. After doing this, be sure to wash your hands immediately to prevent any silicone particles from remaining on your skin. Be careful when applying the seam so that the layer does not turn out too thick. In addition to the wasteful consumption of material, after application you will have to tinker with leveling.

Carefully peel off the masking tape so as not to damage the elastic seam, and if necessary, remove unnecessary dirt from the surface while the sealant is still wet. Simply wipe the dirty areas with a cloth soaked in soapy water. We wait until the sealant has completely dried to check the seam for water resistance and start using water.

Silicone caulk is a thick, viscous substance that is used to fill cracks and cavities to provide a waterproof seal.

To perform this procedure, knowledge of how to use silicone sealant is required. He received wide application in construction, because it is more effective than mastics, bitumen mixtures and putties. Therefore, the sealant is used to treat joints and seams; silicone sealant protects not only from moisture, but also from the destructive effects of the environment.

The basis of the sealant is a silicon-based polymer, and silicone is produced from the polymer. Source material determines specifications seal:

1. Elasticity. Due to this, the scope of application of silicone extends to movable joints. Using a sealant, deformation at the joints is compensated. At the same time, the material is resistant to temperature and mechanical influences.
2. Good adhesion to surfaces (ceramic, glass, metal, wood, concrete, plastic, etc.)
3. Resistance to external natural factors. The sealant is suitable for use not only indoors, but also outdoors. The material is not affected ultraviolet radiation, detergents, changes in temperature and humidity. Mold and fungal bacteria do not form on silicone sealant.
4. Strength. Material resistance to stretching.
5. Wide temperature Range, in which silicone can be used. The minimum value for a high-quality seal is -50°C, the maximum is +200°C. There are special types of sealants whose upper temperature limit is increased.

To better understand what silicone sealant is, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition. The following substances are used in production:

• silicone rubber;
• reinforcing element that gives the necessary strength;
• filler to create the desired volume and color;
• substance to increase plasticity;
• vulcanizer to impart viscosity;
• material that enhances the adhesion of silicone to the surface.

There are several types of vulcanizers that are added to silicone. Depending on this they distinguish different types sealants:

1. Acid. It has a characteristic vinegary odor. This sealant is not used for working with aluminum, marble, cement-containing materials, because they are sensitive to acetic acid.
2. Neutral. Can be used to work with any materials.

On properties silicone sealant influenced by additives used in production. We list the most common of them:

1. Dyes. Due to this, the dried sealant does not change color.
2. Mechanical. Strengthens the adhesion of silicone to the surface.
3. Natural components that reduce the viscosity of the sealant.
4. Chemicals that destroy mold and mildew.

Classification of silicone sealants by purpose

Depending on the scope of application, different types of silicone sealants are used:

• sanitary;
• high temperature;
• glass;
• universal;
• sanitary neutral;
• neutral for working with stone;
• building neutral;
• neutral for mirrors;
• roofing;

Let's describe each of them in more detail.

1. Sanitary. Belongs to the group of acidic sealants, resistant to moisture, the formation of fungi and mold. This factor determines its use in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Sanitary silicone adheres well to glass, ceramics, enamel surfaces, concrete, brick, wood and some metals. Using this sealant, cracks near the toilet and spaces between the wall and the sink are strengthened; joints on the wall, washbasin, bathtub, trays. Cannot be used on Teflon and natural stone surfaces.
2. High temperature. Resistant to high temperatures (up to +285°C). Adheses well to glass, metal and ceramic surfaces. Fuel, lubricants and oils do not destroy it. For these reasons it is used in heating systems, air conditioners, kitchen equipment and motors.
3. Glass. Has good adhesion to smooth and porous surfaces. Not susceptible to UV radiation, tolerates low and high temperatures. The described type of silicone is used for glass elements, ceramic tiles, wood, brick. It cannot be used if acrylic surfaces and polyvinyl chloride are present.
4. A universal silicone sealant is used for porous materials, ceramics, glass, and some metals. It is unacceptable to use a universal sealant on surfaces that are susceptible to corrosion, such as polyvinyl chloride and acrylic.
5. Sanitary neutral. Not susceptible to external irritants. Treated with a sanitary neutral sealant Construction Materials. It is not permissible to use in rooms with high humidity.
6. Neutral for working with stone. Insensitive to UV radiation. Tolerates weather conditions well. Neutral silicone is applied to a natural stone, glass, polyvinyl chloride and acrylic surfaces.
7. Construction neutral. Does not lead to discoloration of materials. It is used indoors and outdoors, when creating fixed joints. Has good adhesion to building materials.
8. Neutral for mirrors. With its help, dimensional mirror structures are created and the seams between the mirrors are filled.
9. Roofing. Used for construction and repair work on the roof. Low-moving elastic joints of tiles are treated with roofing sealant, skylights, chimneys. Immune to changes in weather conditions.

There are two types of silicone seals:

• one-component;
• two-component.

The first are intended for private and mass construction and repair. This is due to the ease of use of the sealant. It can be applied immediately. Hardening occurs upon contact with air. Before using a two-component sealant, the substances must be mixed. It also hardens when mixed. That's why this material used only in industry.

Selecting silicone sealants by color

To choose the right color for silicone sealant, you need to know what it will be used for.

1. The colorless sealant is considered universal. There are no restrictions on its use.
2. White. Designed for working with balconies and plastic windows.
3. Black. Used in cars.
4. Color. There is a wide range of shades. This silicone is convenient when working with building materials.

Where are silicone sealants used?

The areas of application of silicone can be divided into three groups:

• external works;
• interior works;
• work in rooms with high humidity.

External works include those associated with drainpipes, window boxes and frames, glass structures, stone tiles, roofing. Internal works are considered:

• sealant treatment of parts that heat up to high temperatures;
• applying silicone to seams, cracks in the window sill;
• sealing the joint between the ceiling and plasterboard.

In rooms with high humidity, silicone sealant is applied to the connecting areas sewer pipes, at the junction of the shower stall to the wall. When installing mirrors, silicone is also used.

Advantages and disadvantages of silicone sealants

Advantages of the seal:

• elasticity;
• good adhesion to many materials;
• strength;
• durability;
• resistance to ultraviolet rays;
• moisture insulation;
• good tolerance to temperature changes;
• resistance to aggressive environments;
• ease of operation;
• low price.

The disadvantages of the sealant are that it is not intended for application to wet surface, does not adhere well to plastic, hardens for a long time at high humidity and low temperatures. If silicone does not contain impurities and additives, then it cannot be painted.

Sealant consumption

Silicone calculations are made per 1 m of joint, crack, seam. To do this, you will need to find out the width and depth of the opening that will be filled. The width is then multiplied by the depth, and the resulting number shows how much silicone will be used per 1 m hole. This value multiplied by the length of the opening to find out how much sealant will be used. If the seam is triangular, the resulting number will need to be divided by 2. If a gun is used, then the costs of the sealant are reduced, because all the silicone is completely squeezed out of the tube.

The width and depth of standard seams is 6 mm. If the specified parameters exceed this value, then the use of a special silicone cord will be required, which will act as a seal. The thickness of the joints is determined when drawing up the building design. The standard thickness is less than 7 mm. For cases where seams are processed in wooden houses, you will need to determine the width, height and length of the opening. To calculate the height, the thickness of the log is divided by 10, and for further calculations a slightly smaller number is taken.

Review of manufacturers: which one is better to choose

The company Macroflex (France) has been producing adhesive compositions. Silicones of this brand are of excellent quality and have high performance characteristics. A reliable and universal sealant from the Russian company Moment will cost a little less. In terms of quality, it is almost as good as French. For the production of silicone from Econ (Russia), Henkel equipment is used. In addition, the foreign company controls manufacturing process. Low price, ease of use - additional advantages of Econ sealant.

The Polish company Selena produces professional silicone. The company produces construction chemicals. Ceresit (Germany) occupies a leading position among manufacturers of building materials. The company has existed for 100 years, so it offers a wide range of silicone sealants.

Speed ​​up the drying of the sealant

In order for the silicone to harden as quickly as possible, it is necessary to correctly apply the silicone to the surface. First, the spout on the tube is cut off. Then a nozzle is put on, which in appearance resembles a syringe. The nozzle hole is designed for narrow seams. To increase the seam, the tip is cut at an angle of 30 - 45º. Then the tube is placed in the gun, the silicone is squeezed out to the spout. There is a small lever behind the gun that must be pressed to release the pressure.

The surface intended for applying the material must be cleaned and dried in advance. After this, you can squeeze the seal into the hole. Processing begins from the edge, bringing the gun closer to you at an angle. Then you need to smooth out the resulting seam.

To quickly dry silicone sealant, you need to set the room temperature to +22… +25ºС and increase the air exchange rate. Strong heat will not speed up the drying of silicone sealant. Air humidity also affects curing time. The drying speed also depends on the manufacturer and on chemical composition silicone. If the seam is thick, it will be necessary to apply silicone sealant in several layers.

How to clean and remove silicone sealant without damaging the surface

To remove silicone sealant, it must first be softened with a solvent. Concentrated vinegar is suitable for an acid sealant. Alcohol sealants can be removed using alcohol. Neutral silicones are dissolved with acetone and gasoline. Eat universal remedy, which is suitable for removing any silicone, is Antisil. Then you will need to wash out any remaining stains from the sealant.

Today, a special sealant for the bathroom is quite widely used - it is intended for sealing seams. With its help, you can also install tiles and plumbing. The main thing is to choose the right sealant.

Types of sealants - what are they?

Bathroom sealant is a mixture of polymer materials with various additives. Sealants are divided into several types.

Silicone sealants are most popular for bathroom work. Their distinctive features– long service life and good adhesion to other materials. The base is silicone, which has water-repellent properties and can be safely used in the temperature range from -50 to +200 °. Today you can buy several types of silicone sealant on store shelves: neutral and acidic (acetic). The first type of silicone sealant for the bathroom is much more expensive, but does not harm metal products. The second type has a low price, but the material promotes the oxidation of metals.

Acrylic sealants are inexpensive and very easy to use. However, acrylic sealant coating does not have a high level of elasticity, and therefore it can only be used in areas that are not subject to use. The material contains no organic solvents, and therefore it does not smell. When working in the bathroom, it is advisable to buy a moisture-resistant type of sealant.

Silicone-acrylic sealant allows you to make joints elastic and durable, and therefore it can be used for work in the bathroom without any problems. With polyurethane sealant you can create a very durable coating. This type of sealant is characterized by excellent adhesion to other materials.

There are other types (bitumen, thiokol), but such sealants are not at all suitable for working in a room with high humidity.

To ensure that the bathtub is sealed properly high level, you need to choose the right product for sealing the seams in the room. A quality bathroom sealant should be waterproof - this is the most important requirement. For the bathroom the best material A special sanitary composition is considered to be a sealant that contains additives against the formation of fungus and the appearance of bacteria.

It’s worth saying a few words about the brand of material. There are professional formulations, and there are household products that are much cheaper, but are suitable for use in the bathroom. When processing seams, you can choose “Titanium sanitary”, but if you have to work on sealing plastic plumbing, then it is best to choose compounds suitable for PVC and acrylic. It is difficult to say which material is considered the best sealant for the bathroom - it all depends on your goals and your financial capabilities.

The best sealant manufacturing companies

The most famous company for the production of such materials is considered to be the company Ceresit, providing its customers with the widest range of products. Such sealants are intended for sealing joints between walls and the bathroom; they can also be used as a special adhesive for ceiling tiles.

The advantages of this company's products include:

• excellent adhesion;
• safety of use;
• plasticity and lack of fear of water.

Sealants are popular CIKI FIX(Turkish production). This product has excellent quality characteristics at minimal cost. Other advantages of this material include good adhesive properties - you can even use this sealant to glue anything in the bathroom.

How to seal joints using sealant?

No matter what sealant you use, sealing seams in the bathroom is almost the same. And here you should remember a few important points. You need to be as careful as possible when working - incorrectly applied sealant can ruin appearance products and the room as a whole.

How to seal joints in a bathroom with sealant - step-by-step diagram

Step 1: Surface Preparation

Wipe the seam dry to seal. If the seam lies too deep, it can be dried with a regular hairdryer. Many experts advise additional surface treatment for better adhesion to the sealant. But you need to remember that after such treatment the surface must dry.

Step 4: Remove excess material

To remove excess, you will need a wet cloth - wrap it around your finger and rub it along the seam, removing any remaining silicone. You also need to remove the construction tape, and this must be done before the sealant hardens. Remove the tape as carefully as possible so as not to damage the layer of applied silicone. If this does happen, do not be upset - correct the damaged area with a damp cloth. If drops of material do get on the walls, they can be easily eliminated with gasoline or paint thinner. Simply soak a piece of rag in the solution and wipe away any dirt. That's it, sealing the bathtub is finished!

Now you just need to wait for the silicone to dry completely, this is about 8-10 hours, after which you can forget about the penetration of water into the seams.

When applying sealant, you need to take measures to protect the body from exposure to the material, because this is in any case chemical agent. Therefore, when sealing seams, be sure to ventilate the bathroom and work with gloves, because it will be very difficult to use your hands . Now you know that you can use bathroom sealant to seal the seams – it’s up to you to decide which one is better. The main thing is to strictly follow the application technology.

Bathtub joint or shower tray the wall has always been and will be a problem.

The fact that the sealing was done poorly, you can for a long time and not know. Your neighbors will be the first to know about it. Moisture accumulates gradually after each shower and, over time, finds weak points in the waterproofing of the floor (if any).

It’s good if the floor under the bathroom is sloped and the flowing water is noticeable. If not, then high humidity will create more ideal conditions for fungal development.

There are several ways to seal the joint between the wall and the bathtub. There are no simple or effective ones.

Accessibility and simplicity usually suffer from fragility and poor appearance. And high-quality sealing requires significant labor costs. That's why it's rarely done.

The Ravak company offers to install a decorative strip for bathtubs in the joint between the bathtub and the wall. Seal the joint and attach the strip using silicone from the same company.

sealing the joint with decorative strip “Ravak”

Good recommendation. And probably right. But the corner is noticeable, stands out strongly and does not brighten the room. In addition, plastic, over time, turns yellow and becomes dirty, and is difficult to wash. This advice from “Ravak” has been around for many years and is not particularly popular. Although this method can achieve reliable waterproofing.

The most common method today is sealing with white plumbing silicone.

White color is the most optimal for any tile. It blends in color with the bathroom and is least noticeable.

Many years of practice of this method have developed two manners of its execution. Both are working and effective, leading to the same result. It's hard to say which one is better. It all depends on who gets used to doing it.

First.

For this technique, it is necessary, in addition to silicone with a gun, to have a spray bottle with soapy water and a plate for forming a slope on the sealant. The material of the plate can be anything, from a purchased special profile to the rounded end of the handle on a brush.

Applying silicone along the bathtub joint

The technology is simple. Apply silicone along the seam using a gun. At this stage, the main thing is to achieve a uniform thickness of the silicone being squeezed out. The second stage is moistening the surface around the applied silicone. Its meaning is that, when forming a slope, the silicone does not smear on the sides (and does not stick). A soapy, wet surface will prevent this from happening. On a dry and clean surface, the sealant adheres firmly. Therefore, the joint to be sealed must be dry and clean.

Wetting the surface with soapy water

The next step is to form a slope using a plate. Some people use their finger for this. The finger is soft and does not give clear edges. Silicone with depressions is smeared over the surface.

Forming a silicone seam with a plate

The STAYER company produces a set of special plates for forming a silicone seam. If it produces it, it means there is a demand for such a device, which means the method is popular.

“STAYER” SPATULA for forming a seam on sealants

Second way.

Using this method, the edges of the tiles and bathtub are kept clean using two strips of masking tape, without wetting with soapy water. The tools and technology are the same. After removing excess silicone with a plate, the tape is removed. The edges remain smooth and the tile and bathtub surfaces are clean.

Pasted tape before sealing

Removing excess sealant from the joint

Removing tape

When using this method, one feature must be taken into account. The distance between the two tapes must be made taking into account the size of the bevel on the plate used to form the seam. The diagram shows that if the silicone comes into contact with the paint during the formation of the seam, then by removing the tape, we undermine the edge of the sealant. The silicone around the edges will, in this case, have some thickness, and not fade away as we planned.

Correct “A” and incorrect “B” distance between paint strips.

The applied sealant must be leveled quickly (within a minute), in one pass along the entire length of the seam. If you interrupt, irregularities at the junction will become noticeable. Therefore, you need to manage to even out the joint with one smoothing. If you try to straighten it later (after 3-5 minutes), the sealant becomes covered with a film and begins to stretch.

How long after applying the sealant should I remove the masking tape?

– Everything needs to be done immediately and quickly. Until the silicone hardens. Then there is still a chance to smooth out the seam in case of unsuccessful removal of the masking tape.

If you remove it the next day, when the sealant has already set, the edges of the seam will tear differently. You won't get a straight line.

What is the disadvantage of sealing a joint with silicone?

• Silicone turns black from fungus.
• The strength of fastening if performed incorrectly is weak. If you pull the torn piece, the entire tape will pull.

Blackening of silicone in the bathroom

Removing old silicone in the bathroom

This may serve as an answer to the problem: “How to remove old caulk from a bathtub?”

You can easily remove it with a sharp blade, but in some cases you have to use, in addition, chemical method. Available for sale special means, which soften old sealant - Remover, Gasket, Penta-840. You can use nail polish remover (regular, manicure). In this case, it is better to wet a felt mitten. Hard bristles help remove, and the wool will not come apart (like a sponge) under the influence of the solvent.

The next method of sealing a joint is the simplest and most accessible. This is a self-adhesive profile. The names may be different - curb tape, self-adhesive tape. Everyone produces them - Poland, Ukraine, Russia.

An alternative to silicone - curb tape

Different types of border tape

Before fastening, remove old silicone (if any), clean the surface from residues with a solvent and wipe dry. Then, remove the protective film from the profile and press it to the surface. The joining in the corner is made by cutting two profiles diagonally at the same time.

What are the disadvantages of this method?

Again, all the same plastic, and all the same problems. Although the tape is less noticeable compared to decorative strip"Ravak". The Germans have a particularly interesting solution.

Self-adhesive profile produced in the EU

Removal protective film from curb tape

What is the best way to seal a joint?

The most successful is the most dreary. I saw it by accident. Its purpose is to apply silicone to the surface of the tile during tiling. Keep the seam between the tiles and the bathtub minimal. This requires precise alignment of all tiles. The top of the bathtub is not level. Each tile is cut according to its installation location.

Applying sanitary silicone to tiles when tiling

Applying silicone to the end of the tile

You can’t do without silicone - the grout will definitely burst along the edge of the bath due to temperature expansion or fluctuations in the event acrylic bathtub. To prevent the silicone from coming off like a “sausage”, it is applied to the end and to the reverse side tiles By pressing the tile, we connect both layers. It is no longer possible to pull it out without tearing the tile.

But for this method, it seems to me that it is necessary to additionally apply silicone to the end of the bathtub during installation.

Applying “Ravak” silicone to the end of the bathtub before installation