Hermetic is a fairly frequent guest in the handsmasters in the repair of sanitary ware and baths in particular. It perfectly copes with sealing joints, some slots or joints, thus protecting the treated area from moisture. Water, getting into such holes, promotes the development of microscopic bacteria and fungi, and they, in turn, destroy everything they encounter.
We will try to figure out which sealant forbathroom is better, what kinds can be found in shops and what to pay special attention during the purchase. In the calculation, let us take the opinion of professionals in this field and the feedback of ordinary users.
Before determining which sealant forbathroom is better, first we will understand with its composition and basic types. Its basis, for the most part, is polymers, fillers, hardeners and dyes.
Depending on the percentage of theseparts and polymer used differ in the composition types. If you do not go into the chemical jungle, then all you can identify the four main types of sealant for the bathroom.
This is one of the most popular types, but at the same timesame time and the most expensive. Specialists in this area consider silicone sealant for the bath the best among others. It is suitable for any coating: cast iron, steel and the most modern - acrylic. In addition, the silicone sealant for the bathroom, along with a variety of dyes perfectly combined with the exterior decoration of the room itself.
He is not afraid of sunlight, can withstandalmost any temperature difference (-50 ... + 200 degrees) plus has enviable performance characteristics, which allow to forget about the problem for many years.
Silicone sealants for the bathroom, in turn,are divided into two subspecies - acid (acetic) and neutral. The first ones are distinguished by low price, characteristic smell and finickiness to the surface to be applied. The chemical reactions of the acid sealant can be cured by oxidizing certain alloys and metals.
The main trend of such compounds isceramics, plastic and wood. Therefore, acid silicone sealant for acrylic bathtub is not exactly suitable, and for other coatings it is not recommended to use.
In a good half of cases, experts advisework with a neutral composition. It fits perfectly with all types of coatings, and sealing seams, joints and slots does not cause critical chemical reactions, like the same vulcanization. Hence, in fact, the name is neutral. It is worth such a sealant for the bathroom is much more expensive, so be careful and when you try to save, do not buy inadvertently acid composition.
This type of sealant is practically not inferiorprevious in terms of service life and also has good adhesion on any coating. Its cost is slightly lower than silicone compounds, where the difference is due to less elasticity of the joint. This is the ideal sealant for an acrylic bath, but only if the joints to be sealed are not deformed.
The composition is very easy to use and appliedwithout any problems. Acrylic sealant for the bathroom is also resistant to sunlight, does not burn out and can withstand temperature fluctuations from -25 to +80 degrees.
One of the main advantages of this composition isunpretentiousness to subsequent coatings. On acrylic sealant, you can safely apply varnish, paint or a good coat of it with plaster. The only thing is to clarify that sometimes the stores meet the compositions are not resistant to moisture. They are used for some specific needs, but certainly not for baths and bathrooms, so be sure to pay special attention to the labeling.
It is powerful, efficient and stuffed with heavychemical elements for hermetic bath. It is worth more than a silicone analog, but it has its own undeniable advantages and disadvantages. The first one is excellent resistance to mechanical damage and excellent adhesion.
Very often, instead of removing the sealant frombath, on it just put on top polyurethane composition. A similar procedure is carried out, as a rule, with old silicone seams. Then, any decorative or preparatory coating, like varnish or paint, is applied from above.
As already mentioned above, the polyurethane compositionunder the string is stuffed with serious, as well as dangerous elements, so you need to work with him with extreme caution, using gloves and a protective mask.
As the name suggests, this is a kind of hybrid,absorbed the best features of both types. Here we have a strong composition and a long service life. Due to its versatility, this hybrid sealant can be used freely to connect surfaces, that is, act as glue.
If you are in doubt and can not choose betweensilicone or acrylic sealant, in most cases the hybrid composition will solve this problem. It is worth more than its original counterparts, but still cheaper than polyurethane.
Almost all specialists in this fieldprefer to use synthetic sealant. This option is moderately versatile and not so expensive, especially if it is a complex bathroom repair, rather than a point seal.
Silicone compound perfectly copes with the sealseams between the bathroom, the wall and other plumbing. It also showed itself perfectly with the sealing of spreaders and sewer pipes. It can be safely used to update old seams.
If your bath is made of metal, the sealant must be neutral, and in the case of acrylic products it is better to use the same name composition.
Separately it is worth mentioning the sanitary typesealant. The corresponding mark should be displayed on the label. You should not miss it, because manufacturers are trying in every possible way to attract consumers to their products and designate remarkable properties in large letters or icons. This "chip" adds not only practicality, but also the marketing weight.
Fungicides are added to the sanitary sealant, which isseveral times reduces the likelihood of picking up some kind of fungus or pathogenic bacteria. So be sure to pay attention to this useful property at the time of purchase.
Also, in addition to basic polymers, manymanufacturers add various extender and fillers to the composition. The latter are, as a rule, chalk or quartz flour. Such fillers help to cope with wide seams and do not resort to the use of mounting foam or other expanding synthetics. Be sure to pay attention to the percentage of additives to the basic composition - they should not exceed 10%. With each extra percentage, the sealant will simply lose its useful properties. It also depends on how much the sealant for the bath dries.
But in pursuit of some additional"Chips" should not lose sight of the basic characteristics of the composition. Any good sealant must have water resistance, meet safety standards and have a long operational period.
On the domestic construction market is quitemany brands that produce sealants. An inexperienced consumer is very easy to get lost in all this diversity. And even if the corresponding conclusions are made on the information given above, it is very difficult to choose a normal producer.
Taking into account the opinion of experts in this field andconsumer reviews, you can create a semblance of a rating, which includes really sensible brands that are happy for their reputation, as well as for customers.
This is a fairly well-known brand from a Polish company"Selena". The sealer "Titan" is used by half of the masters and plumbers. It has proven itself not only as reliable, but also as an inexpensive product.
At the shops you can find acrylic andsilicone compounds. The only drawback, which complains is ordinary consumers, are tubes with the volume of 310 ml. To seal small crevices and seams, this is too much, and the remainder simply disappears as unnecessary. For masters doing repairs, as they say, in bulk, this is an ideal option, but others have to overpay for the volumes.
This brand is sure to be heard by everyone.The compositions can be produced in different countries and regions: Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic or Belgium. But this is not so important, because the result will be one - quality sealing of seams and joints for a long time.
Also worth noting is a more than a democratic price tag for products and a variety of compounds, as well as the volume of sealant.
The brand "Ceresite" is a German branch of the venerablegiant "Henkel", which is engaged in the production of chemistry for virtually all areas. The company's products were distinguished by excellent quality and variety of assortment.
Hermetics "Ceresite" for the most part are universal.They can be safely used as glue, attaching, for example, some decorating elements. Excellent quality simply can not be cheap, so brand products are much more expensive than the same "Titan" or "Moment".