Roofing sealant - 4 types of material, their features, pros and cons

For high-quality arrangement of roofing, its problem areas must be isolated from precipitation. For such work, roofing sealant is used - it is a liquid, viscous, pasty composition. Let's see what they are and what are their features.

For ease of use of the sealant, you need to choose a quality gun. The REINDEER website presents a wide range of pistols, details of all offers can be found at the link . This tool differs from each other in volume, types of cartridges.

Sealant provides impermeability:

• various seams and joints;
• adjunctions of facing to chimneys and ventilation pipes, dormer windows and parapets;
• connections - rivets, bolts, screws, etc.

The choice of a specific moisture insulator depends on the type of finish on which it will be applied. Roofing sealants, based on their composition, are divided into four types.

Type 1: silicone rubber based material

The composition based on silicone is the most popular.

Silicone insulator is the most common. It is made from silicone rubber. Produced in tubes of 310 ml, which cost 160-225 rubles.

Silicone sealants are divided into two types:

1. Acetate (acetic) material. Compared to the neutral counterpart, it is more durable. Such a composition is suitable for use on smooth surfaces (glass, polished coating, etc.).
   Lack of material - Pungent and pungent odour. It disappears as soon as the composition hardens.

2. Neutral sealant. It has no odor and is non-toxic. This material has excellent adhesion to glass, wood, ceramics, enamel, etc.

Tape insulator

Seam sealing tape is one of the most effective roofing solutions.It is made from butyl rubber. This flexible insulator is UV and low temperature resistant.

Due to the high level of adhesiveness, the roofing tape is easy to install. You only need to apply the material to the base and press it down.

Scope of tape insulation:

• sealing joints between elements of roofing;
• sealing the junctions of the cladding to the chimney and ventilation pipes;
• sealing joints between waterproofing sheets;
• repair of rusted coatings and cracks.

Pros and cons of silicone

Advantages:

1. Resistance to ultraviolet, precipitation, temperature extremes.
2. biological stability.
3. Good adhesion to most building materials.
4. The material has a wide range of colors.

Flaws:

1. Silicone should not be laid on wet surfaces.
2. Poor adhesion to all types of plastic.
3. The composition is incompatible with simple paints.

View 2: bitumen-based insulation compound

Bituminous sealant is made from modified petroleum bitumen with the addition of aluminum pigment. Used for metal roofing. It costs 195-200 rubles.

Scope of use of bitumen insulation:

• sealing seams, voids and cracks in the metal roofing.
• strengthening gutters, ventilation, chimneys, roof ridges and other metal elements.

Pros and cons of bitumen

Advantages:

1. The material is elastic and durable.
2. He is moisture resistant.
3. Bitumen is resistant to negative temperatures.
4. It can be used with the vast majority of building materials.
5. Bitumen has good adhesion not only to dry, but also to wet substrates.
6. Such a sealant for metal roofing can be painted.

Flaw - bituminous insulation does not have high temperature resistance.

View 3: Acrylic Sealant

Acrylic insulation is based on two liquid polymers - acrylic and silicone. Scope of use of sealant:

• filling cracks;
• sealing seams and joints in roof structures;
• insulation of joints in roof cladding.

The price of a tube of composition is 135-200 rubles.

Acrylic insulator is best used where there is a risk of displacement of roof elements under the influence of mechanical load. Or temperature changes, shrinkage, humidity, vibration, wind.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

1. Good adhesion to most building materials.
2. The sealant contains no solvents.
3. It has no smell.
4. Such a sealant for the roof is transparent or painted in different colors.
5. The material is resistant to mechanical stress, temperature extremes (from -40˚ to +80), ultraviolet, heat, cold, high humidity and dryness.
6. The acrylic sealant contains an antiseptic. Therefore, it protects the base from the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

Flaws:

1. Acrylic does not adhere well to wet substrates. Therefore, it should only be applied to dry surfaces.
2. At low temperatures, some problems may occur with the material.

View 4: polyurethane seal

Polyurethane sealant is made from polymerized resins. Scope of use — sealing joints and seams between elements of roof cladding, as well as metal and wooden roof structures. The cost of the material is 160-250 rubles per tube.

Polyurethane sealant can have different levels of hardness. The instruction prescribes the use of material grades PU-15 and PU-25 when working on the arrangement of the roof.

When thinking about which sealant is better, keep in mind that a polyurethane insulator is considered by experts to be the most reliable among analogues.

You can work with such material with your own hands in winter at low temperatures and high humidity. The composition is applied easily and dries very quickly. Polyurethane retains its qualities for a long time (up to 10 years), does not collapse and does not exfoliate.

Composition features

Advantages:

1. Resistance to mechanical stress.
2. Moisture resistance.
3. The material is not destroyed due to exposure to chemicals - salts, acids, alkalis, industrial oils, gasoline.

4. Excellent adhesion to all building and facing materials.
5. Corrosion resistance.
6. The composition quickly seizes and hardens.
7. It does not flow down the surface of the base and retains its volume.
8. The polyurethane insulator can be painted.

Flaws:

1. The polyurethane insulator contains harmful substances. However, this is not so important, since it is used for outdoor work on the roof.
2. High price.This disadvantage is compensated by the high quality of the sealant and its durability.
3. It is better not to use the material in sunny weather. From solar radiation, the composition deteriorates.

Conclusion

Roof sealing is a responsible process. The effectiveness of waterproofing roof structures and its lining will depend on this. There are several types of roofing sealants - choose the one that best suits your home's roof finish.

The video in this article will help you choose. You might have questions, ask them in the comments.

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