Here, Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Geocel takes a look at the solutions on offer to those in the sector, as well as the characteristics to look for in a product, for a quality finish that lasts.
Even though it seems like only a small aspect of a job, selecting a sealant that provides a long-lasting finish is crucial to ensure that your customer is satisfied.
The use of low-quality products has the potential to ruin an installation, as it can lead to a poor finish and sealant failure.
This may result in call backs that are both costly and time-consuming, as well as customer dissatisfaction that can be harmful to your reputation.
Silicone sealants offer real versatility, making them the perfect fit for bathroom jobs as they are suitable for a wide range of substrates.
They also offer UV and colour stability, along with being water and temperature resistant, making them suitable for showers and sinks.
However, the quality of silicone sealants can be vastly different.
For example, low-cost silicone sealants are often bulked out with other chemicals that evaporate as they cure, which can lead to a weak bond that can cause cracks and lifts, creating a route for water ingress that can cause real problems.
Lower quality sealants are also less likely to withstand humid air and condensation within a bathroom and will be vulnerable to mould and bacteria build up.
Conversely, DOWSIL™ 785+ Bacteria Resistant Sanitary Silicone Sealant provides a highly reliable solution for bathroom installations.
Specifically designed for sealing around sanitary fittings, including baths, showers and sinks, it is suitable for use with a range of substrates, including glass, ceramic, porcelain, plastic and vitreous enamel.
It also allows for a quick application, with a curing time of just 30 minutes.
Delivering long-lasting water-resistant protection, DOWSIL™ 785+ is also designed to withstand significant movement by offering a flexible seal with joint movement capability of +/- 20%.
This means that you can ensure a long-lasting finish, whilst also preventing water escape which would otherwise cause inconvenient leaks for the customers, not to mention subsequent damage.
DOWSIL™ 785+ contains a fungicide to avoid mould growth in wet areas like the shower or bath, as well as bacteria including MRSA, E. Coli and Salmonella.
What’s more, DOWSIL™ 785+ is also available in a foil sausage, which is used in conjunction with a re-useable plastic sleeve, as part of Geocel’s ecoSEAL system.
In the construction sector, an estimated 50,000 tonnes of plastic packaging ends up in landfill on an annual basis.
To combat this, Geocel created its unique ecoSEAL system to help trades people to deliver great results in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Compatible with a standard barrel gun, the ecoSEAL sleeve can be reused an average of 75 times and recycled at the end of its usable life, whilst the foils are 8 times smaller than traditional sealant cartridges when empty, helping to cut down on waste and associated disposal costs.
At Geocel, we understand how important it is to carry out a job that is of the highest standard first time. Selecting a sealant that is reliable and hardwearing is critical.
For more information about Geocel and DOWSIL™ sealants, visit https://www.geocel.co.uk/.
