Concrete Sealant: Options For Sealing Expansion Joints And Concrete Floors, Joint Products, Repair And Sealing From The Inside

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Concrete surfaces can be considered some of the strongest and most durable. One way or another, they are also endangered. Temperature drops, violation of technologies in the manufacture of mortar, exposure to moisture are factors that cause cracks in concrete. Such defects not only spoil the appearance, but also carry a danger: moisture penetrates into them more easily, and an excess of liquid can affect the destruction of concrete. Also, fungus or mold can appear from dampness.

In such cases, a companion who will help to reliably seal cracks and seams will be a concrete sealant. With this tool, you can firmly seal the holes and prevent moisture and gases from entering them.

Peculiarities

A sealant is a viscous substance that resembles a paste in its consistency. They are formed on the basis of polymers. In addition, there are differences in composition. So, for example, you can purchase a sealant that contains acrylic or silicone. Depending on what substances are included in the composition of this tool, the method of their use also changes.

These tools have a wide range of qualities . They have good water resistance, adhesion, impermeability, resistance to many negative environmental phenomena. If you use the sealant correctly and carefully, the result will be the durability and strength of your work.

Acrylic sealant is considered one of the most suitable remedies for repairing joints in concrete. Silicone sealant will also work. They are highly resistant to various destructive environmental conditions.

Adhesion

In the process of carrying out construction work, concrete processing is a matter of paramount importance. Most of the significant structures of the building consist of it: foundation, floor, walls. Needless to say, what happens if an excessive amount of fluid enters the resulting cracks?

In this process, adhesion plays a special role, that is, the adhesion of different bodies. In our case, the surface to be treated and the sealant.

Other surfaces suitable for processing:

• wood;
• tin;
• a rock;
• brick;
• ceramics;
• plastic;
• non-ferrous and ferrous metals.

Variety of sealants

There are a myriad of concrete sealants and their classifications.

Sealants can be classified according to their mode of action

• Superficial . As a result of their use, a strong impervious film is formed on the base, which does not allow the penetration of external aggressors. Depending on the sealant used, the film can be either matte or glossy.
• Penetrating . They completely cover the opening and protect against various environmental conditions.

They also differ in the components that are part of:

• silicone;
• acrylic;
• polyurethane;
• silicate;
• butyl rubber;
• bitumen;
• polysulfides.

Sealants can also be classified according to the criterion of their readiness for use

• One-piece or one-piece . Such funds are already ready for use: they do not require additional intervention before carrying out work.
• Two-piece or two-piece . These sealants need preparation before use. Before using them, it is worthwhile to study well the technology written by the manufacturer on the packaging or cylinder.

There are several more criteria by which the types of sealants are formed.

By way of hardening:

• non-hardening (by their properties they resemble rubber);
• drying out (harden over time);
• vulcanizing;
• polymerizing.

By application method:

• spatulas (applied using a spatula);
• brush (a brush is required to apply the sealant);
• filling (special devices are used, for example, a gun).

Despite the fact that there are a large number of different classifications, most often, sealants are divided into one-component and two-component. Therefore, it would be more convenient to consider their special properties using the example of these particular sealants.

One-component

Typically, such sealants are meant to be made of silicone. This is the most common type and is used almost universally. They have a number of advantages and positive qualities.

Pros:

• high resistance to various weather conditions;
• resistance to extremely low and very high temperatures;
• durability;
• complete impermeability;
• good adhesion to most surfaces;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation, which has a destructive effect;
• elasticity.

Minuses:

• you cannot apply another layer of sealant (if it is necessary to seal, you will have to clean the surface of the old sealant);
• silicone sealants should not be painted, as the paint begins to flake off, however, colorants can be added as an additional substance before applying the sealant;
• can not be used in a room with a high level of humidity.

At the moment, on the market for construction products and services, you can purchase not only standard transparent sealants, but also colored ones. Moreover, the color spectrum available to buyers is very wide.

Two-component

They are irreplaceable when working with many surfaces, in particular concrete, sealants. They can be used to repair cracks of various sizes and severity. They are made by adding reagents to the ready-made solution in compliance with certain proportions, so inaccurate actions can spoil the result.

The most popular sealants of this type are thiokol or polysulfide.

After their application, a fast polymerization process takes place .however, shrinkage may occur after a few days. An inelastic, strong film appears that does not allow acids and alkalis, chemicals, oils, fats and gasoline to pass through. Due to these properties of polysulfide compositions, they are used at gas stations, service stations, warehouses and facilities whose activities are closely related to electricity. Also, these sealants are used in energy-efficient glazing. The temperature range at which you can work with this product is quite high: from -50 to + 130 ° C.

Pros:

• durability if used correctly;
• good adhesion to a variety of materials: from wood to ceramics;
• assistance in creating durable structures;
• high speed of solidification.

Minuses:

• the need to accurately observe the proportions during manufacture;
• work with chemicals;
• if you make a mistake in the process, it will be undesirable to use the resulting sealant;
• you need to work quickly with the resulting composition, since it hardens quickly.

When working with two-component sealants, it is very important to avoid skin contact. An unpleasant consequence of non-observance of this rule can be a chemical burn.

Application

Two-part sealants require preliminary preparation. Read the instructions carefully and follow exactly the technology that was described by the manufacturer on the package or container. Basically all you have to do is mix the viscous paste with the hardening agent, but keep in mind that proportions are important. The density of the sealant depends on how much hardener you add. Other chemicals may be used.

Before you start sealing, you need to carefully prepare the surface . concrete or, for example, iron. To do this, you need to clean it of dirt, dust, grease, plaster and other materials, and then apply a primer on the cracks. If this is problematic, the crack will have to be widened. Next, it is necessary to ensure that the seams are well saturated with the substance. This will create a strong adhesion of the sealant to the treated area.

Next, it remains to apply a sealed composition. For convenience and ease of this process, you can use a gun. This makes filling gaps in concrete a little easier.

The acceptable temperature for work should not be lower than -10 ° C. Otherwise, the hardening process of the sealant for internal work will be delayed for a longer time. The higher the temperature level, the faster it will harden.

Some types of formulations are sensitive to precipitation. In such cases, it is worth providing protection from adverse weather events.

After the sealing process is completed, ventilate the room.

conclusions

If the surface is cracked, then a waterproof seam sealant will come to the rescue for high-quality sealing of deformation defects. He will help you repair rings, joints and seams from the inside.

There are many different types of sealants, each of which is used in a specific application. In order to choose the right tool, it is worth examining its characteristics. And the application of some of them can be complicated by additional actions that must be performed before carrying out work.