Wednesday 30 September 2015

How to Use Waterproof Sealants to Fix Your Plumbing System

Waterproof silicone sealants are widely used to seal joints between surfaces, particularly in plumbing implements. Sealants come in many different forms but quite commonly in a sealant or applicator gun or in tubes with in-built nozzles for a quick and easy application. Waterproof sealants are quite easy to use in plumbing, thanks in large part to these applicator mechanisms that allow for greater control and a neater sealing job.

There are many different types of silicone sealants that you will find on the market. While they may appear the same, different types are usually designed for different jobs. Here are common types of plumbing silicone sealants and how to use them in your fix-it projects:

•    Silicone or general purpose sealants are not water based, meaning they don't need to dry to set/harden. They naturally cure by air-drying, and they can be used for different types of water-proofing jobs, including outdoor applications.

•    Silicone sealants can also be used for other applications such as filling gaps on skirting boards. For this, you need water based silicone sealants or decorator's caulk.

•    Roofing and gutter sealants are the same flexibility and consistency and plumbing/bathroom sealants. They are completely waterproof and are highly effective in sealing gutter leaks and water proofing flat roofs. Like other types of silicone water proof sealants, it is important to clean the surface and make areas dirt and dust-free to ensure excellent sealing.

Manufacturers of waterproofing sealants have taken away much of the prep work needed to use waterproof sealants. To make sure you have the right type of adhesive sealant on hand, do a test drive of the material before proceeding with the rest of the sealing process. Use a small amount of the sealant on a test surface to see how effective the product is and to see how much you need to use to do the job.