silicones

Silicone is a product without which it is difficult to imagine carrying out many household chores. It is used both during very complex renovations and minor repairs. It is most often used at the stage of finishing activities, although it happens that it has to be used already during the initial construction or construction works. Silicone is commonly referred to as a special goo, which is a kind of liquid seal. It consists of many plastics, with particular reference to inorganic polymers. They can be supplemented with antioxidants, bactericidal, mold and fungicidal substances. Most often, silicones are sold in characteristic oblong tubes. To squeeze the sealant out of this type of packaging, special guns are used, which additionally allow to apply the preparation in a precise manner. Under no circumstances should you confuse silicone with acrylic. Although both products are sold in similar tubes and are used for seemingly the same work, they have completely different properties. Acrylic is primarily a sealant that does not cope well with low temperatures (it can crack when the mercury drops below 0 ° C). For this reason, it should not be used outdoors. The great advantage of acrylic is the fact that you can easily paint the joint made with it with any paint. Silicone, on the other hand, not only seals, but also effectively glues various elements. The product is highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and various weather conditions. It is also resistant to mechanical damage. There are several types of silicones on the market. Most often you can meet with universal preparations that are used both outside and inside the house. This type of product is suitable for for sealing windows, glass display cases, doors, shower cabins, window sills, floors, cladding. It can also be used for grouting ceramic tiles or filling small cracks or scratches. Universal silicone is highly flexible, so it is a very good filler for expansion joints in concrete floors. Most of the products of this type available on the market are resistant to temperatures ranging from -30 to +120°C. However, universal silicone should not be used for elements that will be frequently exposed to moisture. In this case, a much better solution will be the use of sanitary silicone. It has an additive in the form of a fungicide. Thanks to this, mold or other unsightly tarnish should not appear on the protective layer. Sanitary silicone makes it difficult for fungi and bacteria to colonize, and the grout made with it is very durable and resistant to constant contact with water. Therefore, this product is most often used to seal bathroom elements. Due to the fact that it does not conduct electricity, it can also protect electrical points. A special type of silicone is intended for gluing and sealing materials made of glass. The specific composition of the product makes it very good at binding elements with a smooth surface. It can also be used on aluminium, sanded wood, enamel, brick and ceramics. Glass silicone is resistant to low and high temperatures (from -60 to +200°C) and ultraviolet radiation. To complement the paneling, the space around the door and small protrusions in the walls, you can use construction silicone, which in this respect is very similar to the universal type. A special type of sealant has been developed to work on stone materials. Stoneware silicone is very resistant to changing weather conditions and bonds well to both smooth and slightly rough surfaces. Similarly to sanitary silicone, it prevents the formation of mold and fungus on the joint. Yet another type of silicone is used for roofing work. Roofing sealant protects against corrosion, is resistant to high and low temperatures, perfectly combines with roofing felt, roofing sheet, concrete and stone. It can also be used for work on ceramics, glass, wood and plastics. Silicones can also be divided by the method of curing. In this way, natural and acidic products are distinguished. The first type shows a neutral reaction. Therefore, it does not have a specific smell, is very flexible and adheres to most building materials. Importantly, it protects metals from corrosion. In turn, acidic silicones have a specific vinegar smell. These products are highly resistant to moisture. They cannot be used on limestone materials, as an undesirable chemical reaction occurs. On the other hand, on natural stone, they cause almost impossible to remove discoloration. In the case of rooms that are extremely exposed to high temperatures (up to 285 ° C), high-temperature silicones are used. It is a sealant resistant to oils, greases, fuels and other similar chemicals. Therefore, it is ideal for use in steelworks, boiler rooms, factories, etc. It happens that it is used for automotive works. Due to the fact that silicones are not suitable for subsequent painting, you can find different color variants of this product. Before applying any of the presented types of silicone, the place requiring sealing or gluing should be properly prepared. It is necessary, for example, to remove old layers of binders. It is also good to ensure that the surface requiring this type of treatment is free of various types of pollen, moisture and other substances that may hinder the adhesion of silicone. It is also worth remembering that the seal needs to be replaced from time to time. This is especially evident in the example of the bathroom. Over the years, silicone may lose its properties, despite constant cleaning of the room. It is then easy to notice that there are discolorations or protrusions on the joint, which can be caused, for example, by the use of chemical cleaning agents. When using silicone, remember that it needs some time before it forms an effective sealing layer. Hardening of the substance usually takes several hours, although it is best to leave the joint to dry for a day. Just applying silicone with a gun requires practice. A common mistake is to squeeze out too much goo and pick up the excess material with your finger. The end result of such work is not very aesthetic, and in addition, with a high probability, there may be gaps that will make the seal ineffective. At EL12.pl, we offer various types of sealing silicones. The store's offerings included: universal silicones, fire-resistant and high-temperature sets. We also have a special silicone emulsion designed for pulling cables. It reduces friction, facilitates the laying of cables in casing pipes and facilitates the process of pulling wires in sections with clear unevenness. The category also includes silicone gels for connecting and insulating connections in installation boxes. The offer of the EL12.pl store includes products of such brands as Trytyt, Haupa and Tehalit.