Sanitary silicone sealant

Even non-decaying silicone is prone to mildew, which becomes a problem for rooms with high humidity. Especially for them sanitary silicone sealant is produced, which contains protective additives. The use of such a sealant is wide, but there are limitations.

In everyday life, sealants are used for bonding various surfaces, for example, ceramics, plastic, wood, glass and tiles, and can be used for grouting. Silicone sealants have excellent adhesion and water resistance. The material is plastic, easy to use and durable.

Sealants are multi-component, when the silicone hardens under the influence of a certain substance, and one-component, hardens the water by air or moisture.

The latter are divided into several subspecies.

• Neutral These are generalists that are used almost everywhere.
• Acidic - reliable, flexible, the cheapest in the line. They have a pronounced smell of vinegar due to the acid contained. They are aggressive to some materials, therefore they have narrow application, often they are metals that are not subject to the negative effect of acid, ceramics, glass.
• Sanitary - contain special fungicidal additives, therefore it is used in rooms with high humidity and in plumbing works. This subspecies is the most expensive.

In order for the sanitary sealant to fulfill its task and be pleased with the result, it is important to pay attention to the following points when buying:

• expiration date - the “old” sealant may peel off or not fasten the construction details at all;
• plasticity - the parameter shows at what air temperature it is possible to work with it, what is its elasticity, this is relevant when working outdoors at low temperatures;
• quality of adhesion of a certain brand;
• shrinkage - shows how much the sealant will sit under the influence of air and moisture. Normally, a silicone sealant should shrink less than 2%.

Sanitary sealant is universal, but because of its high cost, it is more often neutral.

Sanitary options are widely applicable for various purposes:

• for plumbing work;
• when laying pipes;
• for processing joints and seams;
• for filling gaps;
• when installing kitchen equipment;
• for processing window frames;
• for grouting tiles;
• for insulation during electrical installation and repair work.

Sanitary sealants contain special additives that protect against mold and other organic deposits, for example, having a bacterial nature. They are more expensive material, but just needed in places with high humidity. Also, silicone agents are fairly resistant to chemical attack.

Because of these additives, sanitary sealants should not be used in work related to food, drinking water, and animals. This is the main difference from the universal remedy.

Sanitary silicone sealant has the following composition:

• silicone rubber - makes up the bulk;
• hydrophobic filler;
• plasticizers for elasticity;
• a thixotropic agent that makes the material less friable;
• fungicide providing protection against fungus;
• primers that enhance adhesion;
• coloring pigment;
• catalyst.

Thanks to additives, silicone sealants are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, can withstand temperatures down to -30ºС, have high elasticity, are not afraid of temperature changes and precipitation. Therefore, they are excellent for exterior repairs, glazing of facades of buildings and greenhouses.

For home use, it is better to purchase sanitary sealants in small tubes. After opening the package, the tightness conditions are violated, and the remaining unused silicone will eventually dry out or its quality will deteriorate. If necessary, better to buy fresh. When large-scale repair work, for example, replacement of pipes and plumbing in the bathroom, you can buy more tubes, so it will be more economical. For convenience, you will have to purchase a special gun, which is characterized by reusable use, but cheap models quickly fail.

White color is more common among sanitary sealants. It is great for processing joints and seams when installing plumbing. Also no less popular is a clear sealant. Unlike white, its scope is wider because of its invisibility.

Manufacturers also produce gray and brown sealants. For example, for grouting or gluing pipes so that the joints do not stand out strongly and do not attract undue attention. For insulation of electrical wiring, for example, when installing the roof, I use red and red-brown sealant.

Color option is rare. The color of the material itself often depends on the filler, but a coloring pigment can also be added.

When installing the bathroom, sink and toilet, you can use white silicone sanitary sealant. It will merge with the plumbing, and will become almost imperceptible. To seal the seams of ceramic tiles, you can use silicone gray or brown. So it will look like grout. For filling small cracks, bonding ceramics and wood it is recommended to use a colorless silicone sealant. It is also used when installing windows and filling gaps between the glass and frame. It will be evident in the processing of pipe joints.

If you need to repair the old silicone seam, without removing it completely, it is better to purchase a joint restorer. This is a special sanitary silicone sealant that can be applied over old seams.

Choosing a silicone sealant, you can get confused. On the shelves of shops there is a wide choice among brands of manufacturers. All promise excellent quality and durability, while the price is significantly different.

• "Germent Moment". This product perfectly seals, suitable for wide joints. Shelf life is 18 months. It is available in 85 ml tubes and 280 ml cartridges. Users note that the life of the sealant is quite high, is 2 years, after which it begins to darken. Among the shortcomings worth noting a strong acrid smell, which makes your head spin. It is necessary to work only in a mask and well ventilated room. It has the strongest odor among other brands of sanitary sealants. Sealant is very thick. To squeeze out a gun, you need to make an effort.
• "Bison". This is a good medium grade silicone sealant, frost resistant. It is susceptible to staining, comes in 280 ml cartridges.According to user feedback, it has a good viscous consistency, which is easily extruded and evenly applied. But this sealant adheres poorly to wet surfaces, does not stand up to constant contact with water, and therefore is not suitable for bathrooms, showers and external works.
• Tytan Professional 310 ml. This product has excellent adhesion, well repels water, is available in cartridges of 310 ml, shelf life - only 12 months. Blacken begins in 1.5-2 years after applying the seam. Users note a fairly tolerant odor, but not as strong as that of other brands of sealants. Positive reviews regarding density: the tool perfectly squeezes out and lays down. Among the shortcomings can be noted its high cost. It can be called the most expensive of the options presented.

• Ceresit CS 15. This option has excellent adhesion, quickly seizes, seals well, inexpensive. On the nose there are marks that help to make a tip edge. It is available in cartridges of 280 ml. Hardening of the product occurs as a result of interaction with moist air, therefore it cannot be used in fully enclosed spaces.It is not recommended for filling joints that are completely in the water, and is also subject to mechanical stress and abrasive wear. This sealant is in poor contact with bitumen and materials based on it, natural, ethylene-propylene and chloroprene rubber. It guarantees excellent adhesion to glass, ceramics and enameled surfaces. The sealant quickly hardens, but can glue the fingers together. Users have a long lifespan - do not blacken more than two years.
• Krass. This product is characterized by good water resistance and plasticity, perfectly adheres to the surface, is easy to apply and remove from the hands, does not turn yellow with time. The smell is not strong and disappears quickly. Suitable for application to glossy and porous surfaces. For the price is inexpensive. Of the shortcomings, users note its fragility. Sanitary sealant after six months or a year begins to crack and blacken. Apply it only on a dry surface. It is suitable exclusively for interior work.

So that the sanitary sealant keeps well and does not peel off over time, it must be properly applied, following the instructions on the package. It can be tested before use. To do this, you need to put on a piece of plastic a little silicone and let it completely harden. If the seam is completely detached with ease, then the sealant is either expired or of poor quality. If you came off with difficulty or in pieces, then you can safely use it.

To apply the sealant is to perform several steps.

• It is necessary to remove the old layer of sealant, if it was, clean it if necessary. The surface must be dry and clean for better grip. Degrease. Instructions for use on some cartridges, on the contrary, advises slightly moisten.
• To the seam was smooth and neat, glue adhesive tape on the sides.
• Insert the cartridge into the gun, pre-cutting the tip at a 45-degree angle. The thickness of the extruded sealant depends on how far the tip is cut from the edge.
• Apply sealant.To the seam was the same in thickness, the trigger of the gun should be pressed with equal force. Smooth and smooth the seam can be a rubber spatula, a damp cloth or soaped finger. If a film has formed, it is impossible to touch.
• After laying the seam immediately tear off the tape. It is possible to remove excess or consequences of careless application by rubbing the rough side of the sponge with a rag or rubber spatula. Sealant must be scrubbed immediately, after hardening it will be very difficult to do.

The first film appears after 10–30 minutes. The time for complete solidification depends on the type of sanitary sealant. Acidic variants harden in 4–8 hours, neutral - about a day. The number of additives and dyes affects the hardening time. The more of them, the longer it hardens, the thickness of the seam, and the temperature of air humidity. On average, the sealant completely hardens within 24 hours, with external work up to one week.

If the drying time matters, then the process can be artificially accelerated:

• improve ventilation;
• increase the air temperature; the sealant will dry 1.5–2 times faster;
• Sprinkle water over the frozen film with a spray bottle.

To learn how to properly use silicone sealant, see the following video.