Bathroom sealant: which is better, how to choose, use

When carrying out repairs in the bathroom, it becomes necessary to use sealing compounds. It is necessary to prevent water from entering the gap between the bathroom (shower) and the wall, between the sink and the wall. It may also be necessary to fill cracks in the wall material, tile joints, seal pipe joints, furniture edges, etc. For these purposes, use a sealant for the bathroom. You can choose, but you need to know what the compositions are and how they differ from each other. 

To begin with, it is worth talking about the release form. Bathroom sealant in stores can be found in several forms:

• In a regular tube, which comes with a cap with a cone-shaped spout. The mass of the composition is 60-100 grams. It is clear that sometimes a small amount of composition is required. But squeezing an even strip of sealant out of such a tube will not work. We’ll have to wipe, level, overwrite.
  

• Tubes for a construction gun. They have a larger volume – 280-320 ml, can be large – a volume of 500-600 ml. It is easier to work with them because it is easier to control the effort. You will also have to correct, but much less.
• Packing in an aluminum tube (sausage), buckets of various capacities and barrels. It is not used in private housing construction, these are professional volumes.

The most convenient option is in tubes for a construction pistol. For independent work, this is the best choice.

Acrylic

These are the cheapest sealing compounds, which at the same time have good technical characteristics:

• Does not contain hazardous and toxic components.
• Chemically neutral.
• Good adhesion to most surfaces (concrete, brick, plastic, glass, metal, wood and its derivatives MDF, chipboard, plywood).
• Temperature range from -20°C to +80°C (available with a wider and narrower range).
• Withstands long-term vibration with a small amplitude (used in mechanics and mechanical engineering when installing devices).
• After polymerization, the seam is inelastic, destruction begins at a stretch of 10-12%.
• Quick drying.
• The dried surface can be painted or varnished.
  

In general, good qualities, especially considering the low cost, as well as harmlessness. It is possible to work with acrylic sealants without protective agents, and the short time required for non-hardening speeds up the work. Their disadvantage is shrinkage during drying. Because of this, when in contact with water, the seam begins to leak, so this bathroom sealant is best used in places where water does not flow. Also, before application, for better adhesion, a primer of surfaces (under acrylic) is required. In this case, there is more chance of getting a non-leaking seam.

Application area

The main disadvantage of acrylic sealants is the rigidity of the resulting seam. Even with small expansions, it bursts. That is, it is not worth using it to protect the junction of a steel or acrylic bath (shower tray) with a wall. Under load, they change their dimensions and so that the seam does not collapse, it must be elastic.

Excellent for filling voids and cracks in various building materials (brick, concrete, etc.), connecting fixed or inactive joints (gaps between a jamb and a brick or concrete wall, sealing knocks in pipes, etc.). These compositions process the unprotected edges of the furniture that is installed in the bathroom, suitable for filling the joint of the sink with the wall.

Another unpleasant moment: in a humid environment, fungi and bacteria multiply well on the surface of ordinary acrylic sealant. This drawback is eliminated by the presence of antiseptic additives, but it is better not to use acrylic sealants for areas that are constantly in contact with water.

And one more thing: in the bathroom, acrylic quickly changes color – it starts to turn yellow. Therefore, white should not be used. Better colored (there are some) or transparent. On them, color changes are not so visible.

When choosing, it is worth remembering that acrylic sealants may or may not be waterproof. Acrylic bathroom sealant must be waterproof. Even in those areas where water cannot directly contact it, but due to high humidity it can absorb moisture from the air.

Grades of acrylic sealants

There are many good brands. Only for the bathroom it is necessary to make sure that the composition is moisture resistant.

• Bison Acrylic. There are several different compositions: Super fast with drying in 15-30 minutes, Universal – can be used to seal wood.
• Bosny ACRYLIC SEALANT;
• Boxer;
• Dap Alex Plus. This is an acrylic-latex composition with greater elasticity and anti-fungal additives.
• KIM TEC Silacryl 121. Polyacrylate moisture resistant and flexible sealant. Can be used in areas of prolonged contact with water.
• Penosil. For filling joints and cracks not in direct contact with water.

There are many other brands and manufacturers out there. Many acrylic sealants have special additives that change their properties. If you are satisfied with their harmlessness, you can find a composition even for direct contact with water.

Silicone

Quite a popular type of sealing compounds. The composition can be acidic and neutral. Acid ones are easier to manufacture, they are cheaper, but it is difficult to work with them indoors – a strong smell until the moment of curing. The second negative point of acidic ones is that when applied to a metal, it quickly oxidizes. Therefore, it should not be used to seal steel and cast iron bathtubs. Neutral silicone sealants do not react with materials, therefore their scope is wider. But the production technology is more complicated and they are more expensive.

Both acidic and neutral silicone sealants may or may not be water resistant. Bathtubs are only suitable for water resistant baths. They are also available in one-piece and two-piece versions. For private use, one-component ones are mainly used, since they do not need to be mixed before use.

Properties and scope

Properties and scope of silicone sealants:

• They have good adhesive ability. Can be used to seal the joints of stone and plastic window sills, when installing sinks and other appliances in the countertop.
• It is used for sealing glass joints, non-porous building materials (metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics), joining drywall to the ceiling, downpipes.
  

• They are characterized by increased tolerance to high temperatures, can be used to seal joints around chimneys.
• Resistant to water, can be used for sealing adjoining bathrooms and showers, sinks and other plumbing fixtures.

The main advantage of silicone sealants is that after polymerization, the seam remains quite elastic. It does not crack and can be used to seal the junction of an acrylic or steel bathtub with a wall. The disadvantage is the susceptibility to the appearance and reproduction of the fungus. It is solved by adding antiseptic additives. To prevent the development of mold and fungus, it is better to use an aquarium silicone sealant or a special plumbing sealant. Both of these species have antibacterial properties.

Brands and prices

Silicone sealant for the bathtub is popular today and in any store there is quite a decent assortment.

As you can see, there is a very large variation in prices. Expensive sealants (Ravak, Ottoseal. Lugato) – made in Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic. According to reviews, they are of excellent quality – they have been used for several years without changes, the fungus does not multiply on them. They are presented in the widest range of colors.

Not bad are inexpensive Ceresit, Tytan, Soudal. These manufacturers have a wide range of both acidic and neutral silicone sealants. There are other types (acrylic, polyurethane). They also have good reviews specifically for use as a sealant for the bathroom – the junction with the wall.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane sealants are good for outdoor use. They are not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity, they tolerate ultraviolet radiation well. They can work on open or closed, but not heated balconies and loggias. Also, their properties are in demand in wet areas – bathroom, toilet and kitchen. The main advantage is that they have a very good adhesive ability, for which they are also called adhesive-sealant.

Properties and scope

Polyurethane-based sealants can be used outdoors and can be applied in sub-zero temperatures (down to -10°C). And this is their main difference from others. They also have the following properties:

• Elasticity after drying.
• Water resistance.
• No shrinkage during drying (no deformation and cracks in the seam, it remains airtight).
• Adheres well to brick, concrete, stone, glass, metals, wood, etc.).
• Many compositions after drying can be painted.
  

There are also disadvantages. The first is poor adhesion to plastics, resulting in poor joint strength. The second one cannot be used in areas of elevated temperatures (heating above +120°C is prohibited). The third – should be applied to dry surfaces (humidity not higher than 10%). When applied to wet materials, a primer is required.

The low adhesion to plastics limits the use of polyurethane sealants in the bathroom. They are good for sealing the junction of a steel or cast iron bathtub with a wall, porcelain or glass sink. But you should not use them to install an acrylic bathtub or shower cabin – the seams can leak.

Manufacturers, brands, prices

Polyurethane bathroom sealant compared to acrylic is a better choice. It remains flexible and does not crack. When compared with silicones, it is definitely difficult to say which is better. The advantage of silicones is that they “stick” well even to plastics, and polyurethane compounds that they are odorless.

This type of sealing compounds refers more to general construction. Many compounds are ideal for sealing interpanel joints in multi-storey buildings and for other similar work. Bathroom sealant is one use case.

Sealants with MS polymers

A recent type of sealant that is rapidly gaining popularity due to its excellent properties. They combine the qualities of silicones and polyurethanes, reliably protecting against leakage, forming elastic and reliable connections.

Properties and scope

The main advantage of sealants based on MS polymers is that, in addition to the properties of the sealant, they also have a high adhesive ability, because their polymers are also called glue-sealant. They have the following properties:

• Excellent adhesion to all building materials without the need for primers.
• Solvent-free, safe and virtually odorless.
• They dry quickly and harden even at sub-zero temperatures (only more slowly).
• When dried, they do not harden, they remain elastic (elasticity range 25%).
• After drying, you can paint.
• Under the influence of the sun do not crack and do not change color.
• Waterproof, can be used in fresh and salt water.
• When applied, they do not spread, a neat seam is easily formed on vertical and horizontal, inclined surfaces.
  

Excellent properties. There are also disadvantages. The first is a high price, but it is justified, since the seam does not crack and does not leak for a long time. The second is that after a while the surface of the white sealant may turn yellow. This does not affect the quality of the seam, but it looks ugly. You can remove the yellowness by wiping the seam with refined gasoline. The third minus is that after curing, the composition is removed only mechanically. No solvents work on it.

Manufacturers and prices

MS sealants are available from almost every major manufacturer, and they are also available with various additives that give special characteristics, so you can choose exactly the situation and for a particular type of work.

Despite the fact that this type of sealant has appeared recently, the assortment is solid, since the combination of high adhesive power and sealant properties is very convenient and the product is in demand.

The main advantage of MC sealants is elasticity after drying, long-term tolerance to direct contact with water, resistance to the growth of fungi and bacteria. Therefore, this type of sealant is used to seal the junction of a bathtub or shower cabin with a wall. In the case of a shower cabin, it is also good because it does not slip when applied vertically.

Another positive point is that most of the formulations have a pasty consistency that lays down evenly, does not bubble. After application, prior to initial curing (film formation), the applied sealant can be easily leveled, giving it the desired shape.

Which bathroom sealant is best

It is necessary to choose the type of sealant for specific tasks. Then you can choose the optimal properties. For example, when sealing a bathtub or shower enclosure to a wall, an MS polymer-based sealant is the best choice. Not bad – silicone and polyurethane. But they must have antibacterial additives.

Neutral silicone sealant is excellent for gluing mirrors. Any silicone (it can also be acidic) is coated with sections of countertops, edges and sections of furniture that is installed in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

If you need to glue fallen tiles in the bathroom, a polyurethane compound or with MS polymers will do. Due to the high adhesive power, they immediately fix the product in place. Since the compositions do not shrink when dried, there is also no risk of damaging the tile.

If you need a bathroom sealant to seal pipe joints, you need to look at the material from which they are made. For steel and cast iron pipes, neutral silicone, polyurethane and MS polymers are suitable. It is better not to use polyurethane for plastic and metal-plastic, and any silicone compounds are suitable.

When decorating a bathroom in a wooden house, the walls are usually sheathed with moisture-resistant drywall. But since the house constantly “plays” in height, there is a gap between the ceiling and the plasterboard – to compensate for these changes. So that moisture does not get there, it must be filled with something, but at the same time the seam remains elastic. Silicone and MS polymer formulations can also be used for these purposes.

To solve the problem with blackening of the seams, it is necessary to choose compositions with antibacterial additives. There are also special sanitary sealants. They are so named precisely because of the presence of additives against fungi and mold. Sealers for aquariums are also suitable for this purpose. They have excellent adhesion to most materials and never blacken.

As you can see, for each type of work, the best bathroom sealant is different, but the most versatile is based on MS polymers.