Sealants in a domestic context: what you need to know
You’ve probably invested huge amounts of time and money turning your house into a proper home that is a place of comfort, safety, and relaxation. When installing a new bathroom or kitchen, you wouldn’t sacrifice on the quality of your tiling or work surfaces, but an equally important yet often overlooked aspect of any construction work in a domestic context is the material used to hold together your shiny new tiles or kitchen surface. Specialists who install Evesham Double Glazing such as firmfix are well aware of the benefits of sealants. Sealants are a vital component in construction, making the information below a must-read for all budding DIY enthusiasts.
Keep the heat in and the mould out
Using inferior, cheap mastic might look good enough at first, but it will decay quickly. The most common example of this is found in bathrooms and showers, where the sealant around the edge of the bath turns black over time. This is mould that is caused by bacteria getting into the silicone lining, which often remains damp and moist after use. This can be prevented by using silicone sealants containing an anti-fungal agent, which kills the mould.
Heat loss can be minimized with high-quality sealants. If you added up the energy that escapes from holes, gaps, and leaks in a typical home, it would be the equivalent of leaving a window open all year round. Doing an extension or loft conversion can be the best time to get this sorted by carrying out an insulation audit of your home. For exterior sealing on windows and doors, make sure your sealant has anti-corrosion additives, which will extend its lifetime significantly.
Patching up leaks
Sealants have many other applications. They are also excellent for repairing leaks all over the house, including in baths, radiators, water pumps, heating systems, and even hairline cracks in boilers. For these applications, be sure to look out for a sealant specially designed not to clog the circulatory system being sealed. For cooling systems, a special sealant compatible with water-based coolants will be required.
By taking careful note of the advice above, choosing your sealant discerningly, and enlisting a qualified professional to carry out any work that you don’t feel able to, you can enjoy the benefits of good sealant, including reduced noise pollution from outside, better humidity control, and less pollen, dust, and insects getting inside your home.