Sealants are useful to have around the home to seal joints or fill gaps or cracks between different materials. There are lots of different types of sealants, and choosing the right one for your particular DIY task is crucial to ensure your job is a success. Here are four common domestic uses for sealants.
Bathroom
Sealants are commonly used in the bathroom. They are useful for sealing around baths, showers and tiling to eliminate gaps and create a waterproof finish. Silicone sealants are frequently used in bathrooms. According to ehow.com, the flexibility of silicone sealant allows it to keep a watertight seal even in areas subject to wide temperature swings. Always use a sealant with mould-resistant properties in wet areas such as bathrooms.
Kitchen
Whether you want to seal kitchen units or replace an old kitchen sink, sealants are used for many DIY tasks in the kitchen. Preparation is always important in any sealing job, and with hygiene being a top priority in the kitchen, it’s vital to remove old sealant carefully and clean an area before applying new sealant. If you’re replacing a sink, any dirt, grime or grease must be removed around the edges to ensure an effective seal. Use a specialist sealant in areas that may have contact with food.
Windows and Doors
If there are any gaps in your window or door frames, your home may experience draughts or even rain water leaking inside. This could lead to damp and mould and could result in higher heating bills. Sealants can be applied to windows and doors to banish nuisance gaps. The sealant you choose must be appropriate for this job, and if you aren’t sure what you need, talk to sealant experts, such as www.ct1ltd.com/en, who offer a wide variety of products to choose from. Bear in mind that some sealants can be painted over, so if you want to paint your door afterwards, look for one that offers this option.
Outdoors
As well as having many applications for indoor use, sealant can be used outside. For any gaps or cracks in building materials that may be causing leakages from rain, sealants can be used to plug them up. Specialist roof and gutter sealants contain a water-resistant rubber substance to help repair leaking gutters, flashing or down pipes or for bedding roof sheets and felt materials.