Sealant for sewage - so that the house does not stink

Have you ever felt an unpleasant smell that comes from the drain in a bathtub or sink? There are several reasons for this:

Content:

• The purpose of sealing system elements
• The main types of sealing materials
• Sealing tapes
• Polymer sealants
• Oil based mastics
• Epoxy resin
• Portland cement
• How to choose a sealant for sewer pipelines
• Popular brands of sealants
• Sealant Technology
• Sealing cast iron pipes
• Joint sealing of cast iron and plastic pipes

• damage to the siphon and lack of water in the glass;
• the formation of cork from mucus, hair and other things;
• violation of leak tightness.

This problem is often associated with a third factor. An unpleasant odor comes from the drain and seeps through the smallest gaps, creating an amber in the bathroom. Sealant for sewage will help to avoid its appearance.

The purpose of sealing system elements

The tool helps to seal the joint seams, preventing the penetration of odor from the pipes and drain holes. This task is a priority, but the sealant has auxiliary goals.

It allows you to create a durable sealing seam, resistant to moisture, not allowing fluid to leak out. Without compaction, clogging will gradually increase the level of water in the drain. It will begin to flow through the joint. This creates a big problem with flush mounting, when there is no direct access to communications.

The sealant is suitable for clogging metal and PVC pipes. Possessing good adhesion, the product forms a tight coupling between the sealing joint and the pipe walls. Due to the special structure, the resulting membrane prevents the spread of odor.

The main types of sealing materials

On the shelves of stores there is a large selection of sealants of foreign and domestic production. The cost of these funds is low and affordable for a wide range of consumers.

So that the choice of sealant for sewage is not difficult, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the key types that are available everywhere. A useful memo will help you learn about the features of each tool.

Sealing tapes

They are the simplest and most effective from the point of view of installing the drain line. Wound on a pipe of smaller diameter, the sealing tape provides excellent sealing of the joint, preventing vapors and liquids from escaping.

Made of polyvinyl chloride, the tape is not afraid of constant exposure to a humid environment (does not deteriorate over time, does not need to be replaced). Corrosion protection is a huge plus of this tool. The sealing tape is used to seal coupling inserts, taps, bends.

On sale there are tapes made of rubber and bitumen, containing layers of copper / aluminum. They are known for:

• extended service life;
• increased resistance to negative factors;
• strong hitch;
• good sealing at pipe ends.

An adhesive is applied to one side of the sealing tape. It adheres perfectly to the surface of steel / PVC pipes, simplifying installation. Of the additional devices you only need a knife, which cuts off the excess parts of the tape.

The greatest adhesion can be achieved by preliminary cleaning the surface of dust, dirt, slimy coating. So the tape will fit as tightly as possible to the pipes and ensure that the drain is closed.

Polymer sealants

If the tape is used during the installation of the drain line, then the sealants are more suitable for subsequent sealing. A special nozzle with a narrow part is easily placed in the joint and allows you to drive the polymer composition directly into the seam, closing it tightly.

Among the advantages of polymer sealants are:

• good adhesion, the ability to glue with different surfaces;
• simple installation of plumbing structures and drain lines;
• high elasticity, preventing premature cracking of the seam.

Sealants are created on a rubber basis, acquiring the aforementioned consumer properties. These tools are easy to apply: the tube is loaded into the construction gun.

The following types of polymer sealants are available for sale:

1. Neutral They do not have an unpleasant odor during polymerization. Known for environmental friendliness, versatility and practicality. The disadvantage is the increased cost.
2. Acidic. They are created with the addition of acetic acid and emit an unpleasant odor during curing. They have restrictions on use and are incompatible with some materials, as they enter into chemical interaction.

Such sealants are great for sealing joints between plastic and metal pipes. After the polymerization process, the seam resembles rubber in its structure. Due to its elasticity, the seal is durable, tolerates moderate loads.

Oil based mastics

Oil bitumen perfectly seals sewer joints, but due to complex preparation and special application technology, it is not suitable for processing joints in apartments and private low-rise buildings. This method is applicable on large sewer highways.

Several varieties of bitumen mastic are known:

• polymer;
• talc;
• rubber;
• asbestopolymer.

They differ in cold and hot application. Mastic based on petroleum products creates an elastic coating that does not allow fluid to leak out. Low cost makes this composition indispensable for processing long-distance engineering communications.

The tool is intended for sealing ceramic pipelines. Good adhesion with a porous, rough surface affects. Before applying it is necessary to thoroughly clean the pipes from contamination: this will help strengthen the bond between the coating and the substrate.

Epoxy resin

Resin is much simpler and more practical than bituminous mastic. It is environmentally friendly and its moderate cost makes it affordable for private use.

To achieve the desired result, the epoxy resin is mixed with a special hardener, which promotes polymerization and changes the consistency. The finished seam is dense and hard, but fragile.

Hardened epoxy is sensitive to vibrations. It can move away from the surface of the pipe as a result of shaking, which will lead to a violation of the tightness. This property imposes a number of restrictions on its use.

Before using epoxy resin and hardener, you should study the instructions for each component, paying attention to the method of mixing. This will help to achieve the desired result.

Portland cement

This sealing method is used less often than the others, but it cannot be written off. Portland cement contains:

• calcium silicates;
• clinker;
• gypsum.

Hardening, it forms a strong and durable layer with two key advantages:

1. Water repellent effect.
2. Resistant to severe frosts.

Curing occurs already after 5-10 minutes after applying the finished solution to the surface, so you need to work quickly, but carefully. Portland cement is kneaded immediately before application.

The disadvantage of this method is the lack of elasticity.The problem is solved by the addition of special additives, but this increases the cost of sealing and complicates the process of obtaining the solution.

Portland cement is used for laying outdoor sewage pipes. It protects the drain line from sudden changes in temperature and negative environmental factors.

How to choose a sealant for sewer pipelines

It is necessary to build on the type and structure of utilities themselves. For processing joints in an apartment, office, cottage, polymer sealants are perfect, since they:

• are inexpensive;
• available to a wide range of consumers;
• presented in a wide assortment;
• easy to use;
• do not require special training.

With a large amount of work, it is recommended to combine materials with each other. As an option: sealing tape + mastic / epoxy / sealant.

An important factor is the material of the manufacture of pipes. You need to make sure that the selected product has good adhesion with metal, cast iron, polypropylene and PVC products, since the quality of the seam and its durability depend on it.

In some cases, other means of sealing the drains of the drain lines are suitable:

• resin-soaked rope for cast-iron / ceramic drains;
• technical sulfur - for sealing small joints;
• sealing cuffs - made of rubber and suitable for pipelines of various types.

Popular brands of sealants

Funds from around the world are imported into our country, which expands the choice of sealant for sewage. Among the most famous manufacturers should be noted:

1. Dow Corning. The product has a thick paste-like consistency and is often used as an adhesive. A plus is the deep penetration of the sealant and the filling of even the smallest gaps. The composition helps strengthen joints and seams and has a strikingly wide temperature range - from –65 to +260 degrees Celsius.
2. Consisting of silicone rubber, these products harden upon contact with a humid environment. They are used to seal, strengthen and repair the seams of the drain line. This sealant is known for resistance to adverse environmental influences and neutral to chemical solutions. It has a simple and convenient application.
3. Ciki Fix. Great for processing metal / ceramic sewer pipes. The product is completely transparent and has no color. When hardened, the mixture becomes resistant to household chemicals and solvents. The sealant is characterized by durability and can be used for exterior and interior use.
4. A one-component tool that allows you to get a high-strength seam. The sealant does not shrink over time, which is why it is considered practical and universal. Known for fast curing and suitable for plastic and ceramic pipes, but is not compatible with cast iron systems. The joints are quite strong and flexible, which prevents the appearance of all kinds of defects.
5. Sanitary silicone sealant from a well-known manufacturer. It contains additives that prevent the development of mold and fungus. After polymerization, it acquires high resistance to the effects of household and industrial chemicals.

Sealant Technology

As noted above, the process of sealing the drain line is largely dependent on the type of pipe. Sealers have a number of restrictions on the method of application and compatibility with materials, so this aspect deserves special attention.

Sealing cast iron pipes

For these systems, different means are applicable. Professional plumbers often use PVC tape, as it allows you to achieve good results and at the same time helps to maintain the integrity of the pipes themselves. With its help, you can process other elements of the cast-iron pipeline:

• sidebars;
• turns;
• bends;
• stubs.

After cleaning and drying the surface of the pipes, it is necessary to apply a stretch tape and wind it along the outer diameter of the joint, avoiding bumps. It is necessary to wind up with an overlap, gradually. For a tight connection, several layers of sealing should be made.If we are talking about external sewer systems, then the tape should be covered with a protective layer, protecting it from UV radiation.

Joint sealing of cast iron and plastic pipes

In this case, it is required to clean and degrease the socket using special means. The inner cavity and the outer part of the pipe of smaller diameter are carefully lubricated with a liquid sealant. Further, the structure is connected and securely fixed until complete solidification.

If it is not possible to connect the pipes in a standard way, then you need to use a cast-iron / plastic adapter. First, it should be prepared for this procedure by cleaning the surface and applying a small part of the sealant to it. This will help create an excellent sewer seal.