Silicone Sealant (36)
A wide range of low-modulus and high-modulus silicone sealants are available from C&W Berry, ideal for a wide range of applications including bathroom and frame sealing. Find out more about using and storing silicone sealant here.
Silicone Sealant: Understanding & Applying Silicone Sealant Correctly
Silicone sealant is used for sealing areas that require waterproofing or airproofing, they are most used on walls, windows, tiles and other fixtures.
During application, silicone sealant resembles a soft gel-like substance and solidifies after a period of time to create a strong, waterproof seal.
If you wish to learn more about the types of silicone sealant, how to apply it and storage solutions, please read below.
Table of Contents
- What is Silicone Sealant Used For?
- How to Pick the Right Silicone Sealant
- How to Apply Silicone Sealant
- How to Store Silicone Sealant After Use
1. What is Silicone Sealant Used For?
Silicone sealant is a form of adhesive that can be used for sealing joints where a waterproof or airproof seal is required. It is ideal for applications in commercial or domestic settings on surfaces such as walls, windows, tiles and other fixtures.
Upon application, the sealant will form a gel-like substance to easily apply and manipulate and it will create a waterproof seal once it has fully hardened.
2. How to Pick the Right Silicone Sealant
Due to the wide variety of uses and applications of silicone sealant, it is important to choose the correct product for the environment it is required for. There are two main varieties of silicone sealant; low-modulus and high-modulus.
- Low-Modulus Sealants: Low-modulus sealants are more flexible, and easier to manipulate than high-modulus sealants and are therefore most often seen in high moving joints such as on expansion joints and window frames
- High-Modulus Sealants: High-modulus sealants are designed to be more rigid and hardwearing, and are typically used in areas with less movement, such as showers, sinks, kitchen worktops and other sanitary applications
3. How to Apply Silicone Sealant
When applying sealant, the first job that needs completing is preparing the surface for sealant. If sealant has been applied to the target area in the past, then all traces must be removed for the best results. After this, the surface must be cleaned, dried and free from any moisture, dust, grease or any other material.
Firstly, using a sharp knife, cut the end of the cartridge seal and screw on the nozzle. For the best flow, cut the nozzle at an angle of 45º, this will give you more precise control over the application of the sealant.
Once the nozzle has been cut, the cartridge should be inserted into a sealant gun. For a consistent bead, the silicone sealant should be applied backwards, towards you at an angle of 45º. Moving too slow will create a bumpy surface and waste sealant, moving too fast may cause thinner sections, and risk allowing water through.
To achieve a smooth finish to the sealant, get your finger wet with warm soapy water and run it along the bead of sealant to smooth it out, the soap will prevent any silicone from sticking. A silicone smoothing tool can also be used, remember to apply warm soapy water to prevent sticking.
It is important to allow the silicone sealant to completely set before allowing it to come into contact with water or other materials. After roughly 10-20 minutes after it has been applied, it will become unworkable, meaning it cannot be manipulated any more. It is recommended to leave the sealant for at least 6 hours to be fully cured and dried, but leaving it longer is better, ideally 24 hours.
To test whether or not the sealant is fully waterproof, simply splash the bead with some water. If the water runs off the sealant, it means it has fully cured and watertight, if the water seems to be soaking in, it has not fully cured, and the sealant should be left for longer.
4. How to Store Silicone Sealant After Use
It is important to store the silicone sealant correctly after using it to preserve the rest for future application. The most important part of storage is ensuring the sealant is fully airtight, to prevent it from drying out.
The first step is to clean the nozzle and remove any sealant that may remain after use. After this, using either tape or a small plastic bag to cover the end, ensuring air cannot escaper or enter the tube. To ensure the silicone sealant will not set, it should be stored in a dry cool place out of sunlight, a garage or shed would be ideal.
For further technical information relating to our range of silicone sealant, please telephone our main sales line on 01772 431 216 or email [email protected].