Which bathtub sealant is best?

Sealants are popular, their properties increase the safety of using the hot tub. Read on to learn about the types of these products, their characteristics, and how to make the best choice in a particular situation.

What types of sealants are there?

Let's consider the most popular means.

Acrylic

This composition has a number of advantages:

• affordable price;
• absence of toxic and other dangerous additives;
• does not react with surfaces;
• goes well with different materials, ideally fills cracks and gaps;
• applicable within the range from -20 to +80ºС;
• resistant to vibrations (if their amplitude is small);
• The surface dries quickly and is easily covered with paint or varnish.

Among the disadvantages, the most significant is the inelasticity of the layer (tension above 9% destroys it). Shrinkage after application does not allow the product to be used in places where liquid accumulates; these conditions can provoke the appearance of fungi and mold. White products tend to change shade; it is better to use other colors.

On a note! Before starting work, we recommend applying a primer. It will provide high-quality adhesion and reduce the risk of leaks when water gets in.

Common brands are Bison, Bosny ACRYLIC SEALANT, Penosil, Boxer, Dap Alex Plus, etc.

Silicone

Sealants of this type are popular and are divided into acid and neutral groups. Their general characteristics:

• water resistance;
• good elasticity increases the range of use, for example, at the joints between the font and the wall;
• maintain parameters at high temperatures.

A common disadvantage is the risk of fungi appearing in damp conditions, but this can be avoided if you purchase special mixtures with antiseptics.

Acidic compounds They are affordable, but due to their strong odor, it is better to work with them in open areas. It is not recommended to apply to steel and cast iron tanks, otherwise oxides will form.

Neutral analogues They are expensive, can be used everywhere, and do not come into contact with other materials.

You can easily find Ceresit, Soudal, Lugato, Ravak, Moment, etc. on sale.

Polyurethane

Peculiarities:

• Stably tolerates temperature changes (does not lose properties at -10º C), high humidity;
• excellent adhesive properties;
• retains elasticity and does not shrink;
• works with almost all surfaces;
• After drying, painting is acceptable.

Its disadvantages are its poor connection with plastic; application occurs exclusively on dry coatings (the presence of humidity above 10% will require a primer). The loss of quality at high temperatures is not so critical (from +120º C).

The stores offer BOSTIK PU, POLYFLEX-LM, MAKROFLEX PA, etc.

Silicone-acrylic

They are a combination of the best qualities of the two compounds that appear in the name.

Peculiarities:

• durable protective coating;
• high elasticity;
• no smells. You can find TYTAN on sale.

With MS polymers

The latest technologies were used in the creation of this variety.It is a combination of the best properties of silicone and polyurethane components.

Pros:

• excellent adhesive ability;
• compatibility with all materials without the use of a primer;
• safety, no odor;
• quick drying (including sub-zero temperatures), after which it can be painted;
• immunity to sunlight;
• resistance to fresh and salt water;
• The thick consistency allows you to apply an even, non-spreading layer.

Its disadvantages are its high cost, the possibility of yellowness appearing on the seam (removable with pure gasoline). If you need to remove a seam, this can only be done using mechanical methods..

SOUDALSEAL, BOSTIK, USOS, etc. are available for sale.

What sealants come in different release forms?

Each release form has certain advantages:

1. A standard tube weighing from 60 to 100 g, the kit includes a cap with a cone-shaped tip. This option is convenient where minimal dosages are required, however the layer is applied intermittently and unevenly, it needs to be corrected.
2. Tubes 280-600 ml, they are used with a construction gun. The process is easier and simpler, less effort is spent on fixing the seam. The most convenient and optimal choice at home.
3. Large-sized containers (buckets, barrels, aluminum tubes) are intended for professional construction work and are not used in personal households.

How to use bath sealant?

Apply the substance using an applicator (if it is included in the kit) or a gun (mechanical or battery-powered).

On a note! Purchasing a special nozzle will simplify the task, allowing you to simultaneously straighten the seam.

Procedure:

• Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth;
• degrease the work area with alcohol;
• Apply masking tape along the layer to avoid contamination;
• We put on a protective mask and gloves;
• cut the top of the tube at an angle of 45º and cover with a cap, use with a gun or applicator;
• We use a damp silicone spatula to run along the seam, leveling and smoothing it (craftsmen can do this with their fingers).

Important! We squeeze out the substance without jerking, smoothly, with equal effort.

We give the base time to dry, then ventilate the room.

Comparative characteristics of sealants. Which is better?

All of the above options have different properties. Each of them is used in certain types of work and has some limitations. To the consumer it is necessary to proceed from the situation in which you have to act. Nuances:

1. The acrylic composition is ideal for tanks made of identical material.
2. Silicone products have more universal properties. According to user reviews, it can be used to create perfect joints between the bathtub and the wall, solve other typical problems. Neutral substances are suitable in almost all cases.
3. Polyurethane mixtures are superior to their silicone counterparts in terms of odorlessness, but are not able to create a strong connection with plastic.
4. Silicone-acrylic compositions have excellent performance, but their choice on the market is small; they are produced in tubes of only one volume - 310 ml.
5. MS polymers are a fairly new composite, which, due to their high cost, are not available to all consumers, and cannot yet compete with already popular products.

We hope our article helped the reader understand sealants and their features.We recommend buying silicone products - they can solve most problems that arise in the bathroom.