Absolute integrity

Vitaly Lviv Sealants - a flexible material used instead of grout in the expansion joints to isolate the main field from the surrounding cladding material. Seals and sealants - are flexible materials that are used instead of grout in the expansion joints to isolate the main field from the surrounding cladding material. Unlike other materials used for insulation tiles, gaskets and sealants eventually wear out and require replacement. Generally sealants are stronger than seals, but they are harder to style. In the past, choosing the appropriate color of insulating materials was restricted and they are heavily soiled styling, so it is easy to understand why the pavers tiles avoided the use of sealants and gaskets, and preferred to fill the seams of grout. Today, cement and sand sealants and gaskets have a wide range of colors suitable for any mortar, home appliance, or painted surface. Modern high-quality sealer is easy to fit and clean water, and as it has in the sand, it creates a flexible joint grout virtually identical. Use sealant pursues two objectives: - It protects the tile from appearing on it, and in the seams of spots - it is to some extent, protects the tiles and grout from excessive water absorption. To the surface of unglazed tiles and the joints did not appear stains, you need to cover the liner with liquid transparent sealant. Most sealants are based on silicone, lacquer or acrylic. When choosing a suitable sealant is necessary to consider types of tile and grout, as well as a place where is facing. Now let's learn how to grip the seams, apply grout and sealant. If you want to get a flexible joint, it is best to buy silicone sealant. It is designed to seal the smooth surfaces and low vlagopoglosheniem (not just pottery, but also glass, varnished wood, aluminum, stainless steel, all kinds of plastics, etc.). Resistant to adverse weather conditions, high humidity, and most detergents. Maintains its properties over a wide temperature range. Silicone sealant around the seams are buried bathtubs, toilets and other sanitary equipment, since it is not only plasticity but also resistant to water, moisture, mold, etc. He also recommended to fill the joints between the tile flooring and related flooring from linoleum or a wooden and ceramic floor joints around the perimeter. There are also polyurethane and acrylic sealers, but they are used less frequently. In addition, acrylic sealants should not be used in wet areas because of their rapid aging. Different sealants (silicone included) on the curing mechanism and content of fillers. Acid sealants are versatile and least expensive, and therefore the most widely represented in the domestic market. Their marks in many firms, including the letter "A" (English acid - acid). During the curing of this type of sealant into the air a certain amount of acetic acid, which to some extent limits their application. They should not come into contact with lead, copper, brass and zinc, since acetic acid is corrosive to these metals. Also, acidic sealants are not used when working with marble and cement-containing materials having in their composition and alkaline compounds able to react with acetic acid. Applying these drugs, it is imperative to air accommodations. Neutral cure sealants emit ketoksim or alcohol. They are suitable for all, without exception, the basics, including marble and cement materials. In the labeling of such compounds present Latin letter «N» (born neutral - neutral). In the Russian market products, both domestic and foreign companies. Among them are "Plitonit", "Stroyservisgermetik", NGO "Polymer sealants (Russia),« Index »(Italy),« Schomburg »(Germany),« Kiilto »and« Makroflex »(Finland),« Dow Corning »(U.S. ), «FLM-Firmcn Gruppe» (Switzerland), «Soudal» (France), etc. Sealants different packaging and method of application. Most frequently encountered the so-called cartridge that looks reminiscent of cartridges. Tanks are 80 ml, 280 ml, 310 ml or more, but it is more convenient for weighing less. Cartridge is a tight cylinder, equipped with a special tip, from which the sealant goes rovnenko, a certain thickness, like toothpaste from a tube. The base (bottom) of the cylinder can move, ie, it can be pressed. Thus the shell of the cylinder is not deformed. Special mechanical device for use with sealants called an applicator and is similar to a syringe or a gun. Applicators come in different designs: for example, pledged to take a cylindrical foil sealant gun, in which an empty cylinder plays the role of the cartridge, and if the sealant is placed in the cartridge, for its extrusion pressure spray guns are used. Their work is as follows: Cartridges are placed into a special compartment in such a way that on the one hand it was a thin tip, on the other hand - pressing down the surface of the piston device. The work of this gun like effect syringe. After the end of the cartridge is removed from the compartment, close the tip and keep the sealant in such a form until it is again not needed. Do not forget that the sealants have an expiry date printed on the packaging. So, free intertiled gap in the corners of the walls of dirt and glue residue. With a sharp knife, trim the end of the cartridge, the cartridge screw on nozzle and cut at an angle to the inner diameter of the hole on the cut turned out about 2 mm. Insert the tube into the syringe and poddavlivaya uniform force, gently lead at the seams. Desirable to maintain the syringe with the same speed. Fill the gaps around five tiles with a damp cloth to remove excess sealant. Cloth should be periodically wetted with water. Hands should be washed with water, too. The sealant hardens in about 15-20 minutes, taking the form of rubber. Sometimes he was too much absorbed in the joints, so you have to go places again. Filled with grease seal water with dishwashing liquid and finish the profile shovel. Easy pushing a finger dipped in dishwashing liquid, smooths the seam. Silicone sealant in places of permanent contact with water over time may darken. Tile flooring may look old and scruffy due to dirt, which accumulates in the joints. This is especially true for tile light shades with white grout. Old sealant can be removed with a knife or a special device and apply a new one. This operation does not take much time and effort, but your tile will look like new.