Sealants in the Workplace

Sealants are typically used to stop corrosion from liquids and fluids penetrating into and damaging gaps or cracks in the surfaces or joints of building materials. On building sites, where there are large volumes of tools and equipment generating dust and small soil particles, sealants are often synonymous with caulking, to block these particles, along with sound and heat transmission. Dependant on the environment, the user may need to use weak, strong, flexible or rigid sealants to best protect surfaces and substrates, along with using a sealant with or without additional adhesive qualities. Sealants used on major renovation and repair sites, including new construction, may be referred to as adhesive sealants or structural sealants.

The waterproofing capacities of sealants, along with their restricting sound, light, heat, dust, and more from passing through joints in a structure or substrate, means they are used for stopping these elements getting into or getting out of sealed areas. For example, sealants used on pipework or industrial guttering would stop leaks. Seals on water tanks must keep the fluids in, and remove risk of contamination from exposure to other elements, toxins, chemicals, or heat from external sources.

To summarise, sealants stop the spread of the following into or out of cracks and joints:

• Gas
• Water or liquid
• Heat
• Light
• Dust
• Air
• Smells and scents
• Chemicals
• Toxic materials or waste
• Noise
• Smoke
• Fire

Sealants - dependant on the products' specified recommended usage - can be used on and within:

• Construction industry
• Auto-motive industry
• Offshore and marine environments
• Asphalt, tarmac, cement and concrete
• Stone and building masonry
• Glass and perspex
• Wood and timber
• Floors, walls, ceilings, and roofing
• Pipe threads, pipework, and processing structures - such as reservoirs or sewage works
• Drywall
• Plasterboard
• Tiles

Industrial sealants available at Rawlins Paints from manufacturers including Remmers and Sika, can provide:

• Corrosion resistance
• Heat resistance
• Shock resistance
• Waterproofing
• Soundproofing
• Protection against the spread of liquids, chemicals, or gasses through capillary action