Features of the material
Polyurethane foam began to be used instead of mineral wool tape, instead of bitumen and even cement with tow.
Advantages of waterproof polyurethane foam:
- ease of operation;
- high installation properties.
When compared with other building materials, for example, it is impossible to seal deep, hard-to-reach cracks with cement. Other building materials take a very long time to dry out. The foam material can penetrate even the most distant corners and after a few hours will harden and be ready for further processing.
Polyurethane foam is a one-component polyurethane foam product. Release form: sealed aerosol can. In order for the contents to come out of the cylinder, there is a propellant gas inside it. If the polyurethane foam has been left unused for a long time, the container must be shaken well before use so that the contents reach the desired consistency - there are metal balls inside.
Types of foam
Cylinders with mounting compounds are available in two types: professional and for domestic use. Containers for household use have a special nozzle in the form of a tip with a nylon tube, which is designed to deliver the product into the intended cavity without dosing. That is, such devices are used to fill large cavities using a large-diameter plastic tube.
Professional tubes have a special thread on the top for attaching a dispensing device or mounting gun. The use of a dosing device provides a great advantage over a large diameter nylon tube:
- Possibility of adjusting the amount of mixture supplied;
- Possibility of adjusting the diameter of the tip and, as a result, the thickness of the mixture output;
- The depth of supply of the mixture into the niche (limited only by the length of the tip fitting).
Scope of application
Polyurethane foam is used to fill the space around fixed structures. After filling, the material increases in size several times, which can damage surrounding parts.
This situation can be prevented by installing special spacers, which are removed after the product hardens.
Polyurethane foam for sealing the gap between the bathtub and the wall
Polyurethane foam for sealing gaps after installing pipes.
A waterproof building material is used in places with high humidity, most often in the bathroom. You can choose a material that has the following properties:
- water resistance;
- non-conductivity of electricity;
- fire resistance.
Sometimes the material is used instead of glue to secure several elements together. Another additional property is decorative. Polyurethane foam can be used to replace polystyrene foam and make various decorative elements from it.
Decorative element made of polyurethane foam
Waterproofing foam
Moisture resistance is imparted to the material by a durable hardened surface film. The formation of this film is facilitated by molecular surface tension during the reaction from additional components introduced into the chemical composition. When hardened, the internal structure forms a strong, fine-celled frame, reminiscent of fine pumice. Therefore, in order not to damage the structure of the waterproof, waterproofing foam, it is not recommended to cut it and act mechanically during operation.
Application of waterproofing foam
Due to the specific properties of the product (not resistant to mechanical stress), its use as a separate sealant is not recommended. According to experts, if we are to use only one polyurethane foam for this purpose, then it is best to use a two-component one with special waterproof properties. For example, Fisher produces fast-curing foam PU-2/402.
The fast-hardening composition Fischer PU 2/402 is used for quick installation when installing door frames, communication ducts, passageways of plumbing communication pipes, sealing voids in any building materials, window sealing, sealing seams in rooms with high humidity (baths and shower rooms). This mixture is also used for exterior work: sealing seams, sealing seams from moisture, cladding made of wood panels and metal.
It has excellent adhesion to metal, wood, drywall, and various plastics except (Teflon, polyethylene, silicone, polypropylene). And although waterproof mounting foam for sealing has a higher price than others, saving on roof waterproofing is not the case at all.
According to the advice of experts, the best option for waterproofing is the joint use of a special glue - sealant, which is aggregated with materials widely used in the construction of roofs, such as paint and varnish and bitumen. For example: sealing cracks in the roof, junctions, ventilation outlets and chimneys, and using waterproofing foam to support its base (for example, from the inside) of the sheet roof.
Of the many sealants produced by , for waterproofing, as one of the best, they offer one-component roofing waterproofing sealant DD based on bitumen elastomer base and transparent roofing sealant DDK based on synthetic rubber. Both sealants are intended for sealing seams around chimneys, roof seams made of materials based on bitumen, iron and plastic films, sealing metal and plastic gutters, outlet pipes, around antennas, ventilation ducts.
They have excellent adhesion even to wet surfaces, a high level of water resistance, and are resistant to aging and weathering. Hardening time 10 - 20 minutes. depending on the ambient temperature. Application temperature from +5 to 30°C. Temperature resistance from -40 to +130°C, withstands deformation up to 10%. The cylinder is adapted for use with a crimping gun and a plastic tip (supplied with the cylinder). Sealant and waterproof material can be purchased on our website by going through a simple registration and following the easy navigation instructions.
How to work with foam correctly
The technology for working with polyurethane foam is as follows. First, prepare the can: check the expiration date of the material, shake it, remove the cap, and connect the tube to the adapter. During operation, the cylinder is held upside down.
Gun for working with polyurethane foam
Be sure to wear protective clothing and gloves. If the composition gets on the skin and has time to dry, it will be impossible to remove it without additional injuries. When choosing a product, be sure to pay attention to what time it can be used. There are compositions for the warm season and for the cold season. The gap must be pre-moistened with plain water.
Regardless of the type of foam chosen, it fills the gap only to a third of the recess. If the gap is vertical, then the work is carried out from the bottom up. To make the composition harden faster, you can additionally sprinkle it with water.
Application of polyurethane foam for sound insulation
If the gap is small, then the work is performed once. If the gap is large, then fill the remaining areas with foam again after half an hour. If the material is of good manufacture, then after 8 hours it will completely harden.
If the material was applied incorrectly or went beyond the structure, it can be removed using a special cleaner. Contaminated work surfaces and the gun are also treated with the cleaner after completion of work.
Trimming excess polyurethane foam
What to consider when choosing
Assembly sealants are classified into professional and household foams. Experienced builders use spray cans with a gun outlet to accurately dose the amount of blown composition. Tubes for household use are equipped with a polyethylene tube. When choosing mounting waterproof foam for sealing, take into account the following parameters:
- For waterproofing work, it is important whether the mounting foam allows water to pass through - you need to choose waterproof sealants.
- Output volume – construction teams work according to cost estimates. Masters choose foams with high yield.
- The degree of primary and secondary expansion of waterproof polyurethane foam. This is important for proper filling of voids.
- Fire resistance (fire resistance). There are foams that do not support combustion when exposed to an open flame.
- Operating and operating temperature range. Frost-resistant sealants can be used at sub-zero temperatures.
In addition, craftsmen take into account the drying speed of the foam and the time of formation of the surface film. The quality of a waterproof sealant can be assessed by the appearance of the frozen mass. The proportion of the caliber of the bubbles formed must be maintained. Voids, uneven structure and deformations after complete hardening of the sealant are eliminated.
Terms of use
The ambient temperature during work should be in the range from -10 to +30 degrees. Ideal temperature is +20 degrees. Under such conditions, quality indicators will be maximum, which are only provided by this manufacturer. The humidity in the room should not be high; an acceptable humidity level is 60%.
The place where the composition will be applied must be prepared in advance. There should be no dirt, chemicals, grease, oils or paint coatings. If the air temperature is low, then ice and snow must be removed from the surface.
Waterproof material for bathroom
It often happens that a small gap is found between the bathtub and the wall, due to which a puddle forms on the floor after taking a shower. There are several materials that can be used to seal the gap:
- waterproof polyurethane foam;
- solution;
- silicone sealant;
- border tape with sealant.
If the choice is on polyurethane foam, then you need to know the nuances of working with it. The composition must be waterproof so that after some time you do not have to make repairs again. When the material dries, it can be easily trimmed with a regular stationery knife. A tile is laid on top or a border is glued on.
A waterproof composition in the bathroom will allow you to:
- fill cracks;
- glue joining surfaces;
- prevent moisture ingress;
- prevent the conduction of electricity.
Not all types of waterproof polyurethane foam for the bathroom meet fire safety parameters. You should take care of this parameter in advance and study the characteristics of various manufacturers.
Polyurethane foam is also used to install a bathtub on it. The floor in the bathroom is tiled. Before you start finishing work, you need to clarify how things are going with the plumbing and communications. Old metal pipes need to be replaced with new plastic ones. When installing a new bathroom, this is an obligatory moment, otherwise there is a risk in a few months of having to do another renovation with dismantling the floor and part of the walls.
Installing a bathtub on polyurethane foam
The bathtub is installed on legs or a stand. After this, you can complete the repair using polyurethane foam. All formed joints and cracks are processed. Be sure to remember the joint between the bathtub and the wall. Only if the gap is less than 1 centimeter can the foam be replaced with another material. The main property of foam is that it increases in size several times. When the composition dries, it is trimmed with a sharp knife, and the surface is covered with protective enamel.
Using polyurethane foam without a gun
If polyurethane foam is used when renovating a bathroom, you should remember about grounding and the possibility of static electricity. This rule applies primarily to bathtubs with hydromassage. It is better not to save on building materials and give preference to expensive foreign polyurethane compounds. After completion of work, empty cylinders are not left in the sun or burned.
Manufacturers and prices
Waterproof polyurethane foam is presented on the market in a small assortment. The most popular manufacturers:
- Tytan Professional;
- Ceresit;
- Makroflex;
- Penosil;
- Akfix;
- Hauser;
- Kvadro;
- Atoll;
- Soudal.
Each manufacturer tries to make foam in two versions: standard and waterproof. The price ranges from 150 to 500 rubles per cylinder. It is not recommended to save on goods - this will directly affect the quality and durability of the repair.
