Sealing tape: usage tips, pros and cons

Features of tape sealant

Any rough construction or structure requires further processing, including sealing joints. Previously, gypsum, tow, homemade putties, clay, which did not last long, were used for this purpose. Now such materials have been replaced by tape sealant or sealing tape - a multifunctional product based on polymer compositions.

Sealing tapes have a wide range of operation: they are in demand not only in the residential sector, but also in industrial facilities, communications. The need for sealing is due to the risk of moisture penetrating into the cracks of structures, which will inevitably lead not only to a violation of the microclimate, but also to rapid destruction of the base. A sealing tape prevents these effects by reliably isolating the seams from water, dust, and dirt.

The main advantage of the tape over other sealants is its ability to self-adhesive on the base, for which you only need to tear off the edge film layer. Sealing does not require the purchase of special tools, pasting the seams with masking tape, and the work of applying tape is minimal labor and is easy even for a beginner. The tape has a uniform elastic surface, while inside it is reinforced with a layer of aluminum foil or other durable materials.

The characteristics of the sealing agent are as follows:

• powerful water-repellent properties,
• easy adoption of the desired form,
• preservation of elasticity even at subzero temperatures,
• prevention of the growth of bacteria, fungi,
• lack of spoilage in contact with aggressive chemicals,
• environmental friendliness, a possibility of application for external and internal works,
• tear resistance
• suitability for work with any materials,
• high adhesion with metal, brick, wood, concrete, etc.,
• implementation in the form of rolls of different lengths,
• service life - at least 20 years,
• strengthening of heat, noise and vibration isolation of premises,
• the possibility of operation in the temperature range of -60 ... + 140 degrees.

Varieties of sealant tape

Depending on the number of adhesive sides of the tape can be one-sided and two-sided. By field of operation, the products are divided into:

1. Tapes for window openings. They are made of polypropylene with an adhesive base, which fastens together with slopes or other parts of the windows. Designed to increase moisture protection of structures, replace plaster and conventional sealant. Most tapes for windows are vapor-permeable, some in appearance resemble foam rubber. This property allows condensate to accumulate on the foam layer.
2. Universal tapes. Most often made from bitumen, they include an aluminum layer and a reinforced polyethylene film. They have a wider scope.

Butylene tape

Such sealants are made on a butyl rubber basis, they are classified as universal. The tape provides high-quality insulation protection, protects metal, wood, polycarbonate, concrete from damage. It does not harm PVC and other types of plastic due to the chemical inertness of butylene. The aluminum layer of the tape provides resistance to the effects of acids, alkalis, ultraviolet radiation.

Other properties and characteristics of this type of sealant are as follows:

• resistance to negative temperatures,
• lack of smell
• suitability for internal and external works,
• thickness about 1 mm, width 5-30 cm.

Bitumen-polymer tape

Such tapes provide corrosion and dielectric protection of structures. Due to moisture resistance, they can be used for insulation of underground pipelines, water supply systems, sewers, for roofing. The material easily repeats the shape of any surfaces, including those with irregularities. With gusts and cuts, the bitumen-polymer tape is able to self-seal, while maintaining reliable joint protection.

Polycarbonate Tape

It is also called a "swelling cord." It is implemented in two forms - with a round and square section. The material is made from a special hydrophilic rubber, so it is able to increase by 6 times in size after contact with water.

Polycarbonate tape has the following properties:

• air tightness
• UV resistance
• strength, lack of response to mechanical stress,
• the ability to close up any chips and cracks,
• long service life
• reasonable cost
• safety for humans.

In addition to polycarbonate, the material is well suited for metal, glass, stone and concrete, various composite substrates. It can be used in the arrangement and repair of industrial facilities, bridges, underground structures, basements, parking lots.

Scope of application

Sealant tape can be used to seal joints and joints of almost any building structures made of homogeneous or dissimilar materials.

With its help produce:

• junction of roof elements (pitched, flat),
• repair of tile, folded roofs, metal and PVC gutters, balconies and loggias,
• insulation of installation joints in the drainage layer of a membrane, polycarbonate,
• arrangement of ventilation systems, pipes with cold water,
• protection of seams from polyurethane foam,
• vibration and sound insulation of rooms, windows,
• sealing the joints between the wall and plumbing,
• repair of ship transport, railway cars,
• sealing of seams of oil pipelines.

Tape manufacturers

On sale there are a large number of sealant tapes, differing in base, size.

Here is a list of the most popular brands:

1. Nicoband (TechnoNicol). Universal tape with sealing and waterproofing function with colored foil coating. Available in red, silver, gray, brown, green. It has a high degree of UV protection, suitable for working with roofs, gutters, cold water pipes, attics, balconies, greenhouses.
2. Plastter Repair, sealing, waterproofing tape on a self-adhesive basis. It consists of bitumen, synthetic rubber, adhesive polymers, and is coated with a silicone film on top. Resistant to weathering, UV radiation, absolutely waterproof. Immediately closes punctures, seams, any damage.
3. Flex Waterproof silicone tape for sealing joints, pipes, for the repair of various products. It is implemented in black and white, has a width of 10-30 cm. It is used in plumbing works, when warming doors, windows, sealing pipelines.
4. Tytan Professional RS Tape. Self-adhesive bitumen tape for roofing, insulation of parapets, attics, windows, various building structures. Reliably protects seams from moisture, instantly attaches to the surface.
5. "Ecobit". Provides complete tightness of chimneys, window blocks, ventilation systems. Contains bitumen with polymers of increased strength, also has a film of copper. Great for glass, metal, cement.
6. Ceresit CL. Sealant tape for all construction works, characterized by high elasticity, takes any form. Resistant to deformation and tearing. When working, it is necessary to observe the temperature regime within + 5 ... + 30 degrees.

Also in stores you can find tapes of brands "Abris", "Liplent", "Guerlain", "Masterflex", "Comfort".

Tips & Tricks

Before applying tape, you need to take care of the cleanliness of the working area. Degrease the surface, remove all dirt, dust, old paint, wipe off traces of oils and oil products. The coating bordering the seam is treated on both sides with a special waterproofing compound. Further, the procedure is as follows:

• stick the tape directly onto the wet base,
• press the tape into the base, smooth it so that there is no air left under it,
• loop-shaped material is applied to the deformation joints,
• the joints of the sealant in the corners are laid with spacing on each other.

Sealant tape provides reliable insulation of any joints and joints. Its use will help protect buildings and structures from pollution and moisture and increase the period of their maintenance-free service.

Production and varieties

Manufacturing is carried out using a PTFE tow. The film is rolled to a certain thickness. In the end, the sealing material is sold in the form of tapes of various sizes. The tape itself is wound on a spool. I use the product while mounting structures that are under a certain pressure. These designs are water supply, gas supply or a central heating system.

The product is a deformable filler, as well as a thread lubricant - this makes sealing better. This product is practically not used in systems that are responsible for heating on hot water. However, due to this sealing, heat is retained.

Consider the varieties of this product:

• Fum-1. This type is intended to give tightness to pipelines. These pipelines must work in conjunction with an aggressive environment. The composition is grease. Vaseline oil acts as a lubricant.
• Fum-2. This variety is used for structures that are in contact with strong oxidizing agents. Therefore, there is no lubricant in its composition.
• Fum-3. Designed for structures in contact with a clean environment. The composition is also not grease.

This tape is also divided into types according to another criterion - dimensions. There are different thickness, width and length. Thickness can start from 0.075 and reaches up to 0.25 millimeters. The initial width is ten millimeters. The length starts with a hundred centimeters.

You can also find on the shelves of stores specially designed gas tape, which has a yellow color. The maximum thickness of this material is 0.25 millimeters. This tape is intended for gas supply - a system that operates under low pressure. But for gas supply, you can apply the usual fum tape.

Properties and characteristics of sanitary tape

Let's talk about the main properties and characteristics of this product. Tape fum specifications:

• Fumlent has a low level of friction. The tapes are slippery, which makes it easy to seal different joints. Fum tape makes a better fit and seal.
• Plumbing tape has a high level of heat resistance (resistance to different temperatures). This suggests that this material is able to withstand high temperatures - more than 300 degrees Celsius. However, they can be used at a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius and no more. Since at higher temperatures toxic substances are formed that can harm the human body. Tapes are also excellent electrical insulators.
• The product has excellent strength and ductility. The material has a high level of resistance against alkalis and acids. The tape is quite inert to various chemicals. Also, the sanitary tape has great resistance to decay.
• There is an inertness to chemical and biological substances. Resistance to alkalis and acids is shown.

These are the characteristics of this product.

Before this material for sealing appeared on the construction market, tow was used for this procedure for plumbing. Plumbing tow is a flax fiber. However, it was necessary to additionally use oil paint for sealing. Oil paint was used for lubrication.

Plumbing flax fibers are also used today along with other products to seal a variety of compounds. However, instead of oil paint, they use a special paste for sealing, which is applied from the top of the winder. Specially designed sealing paste gives the system strength, reliability and durability.

Thanks to this sealing substance, reliable protection against rotting of the structure is formed. Previously, a plumbing fixture with the additional use of oil paint was difficult to dismantle, thanks to the paste it can be done easily if necessary.

The method of winding plumbing tow

In order to prevent the flax from slipping over the thread, notches are made on it.

If the thread has no notches, then they should be done on their own. If this is not done, then the sealing flax material will slip off.

Before wrapping, it is necessary to separate a small strand of flax. Determining the length and thickness depends on the diameter that a gas, water pipe has. Winding must be tight. The fibers are wound in the direction of the thread. And the end of the plumbing tow, which turned out to be free, must be fixed with a finger.

Sealing tapes for the inner and outer seam

Sealing tape Ease of use and durability. Metallized and diffusion tapes used in repair and construction works forsealing roofing, attic windows and engineering communications.

This product has a fairly wide scope, tapes are used to pair concrete, wood and metal joints. It is also used for vapor barrier and effective sealing of gutters.

Metallizedsealingtape It has an adhesive base, it is universal in application and very durable. From below, a protective film is applied to the tape, which is easily removed during installation.

Among the features of sealing tapes are the following:

- the possibility of fireless installation,

- reliable adhesive layer,

- special equipment is not required for laying,

- the material can be used in any climatic zone.

Increasingly, in the manufacture and installation of double-glazed windows are used window tapes. This technology was invented in Western countries, from where it came to our market. Using tapes makes it possible to improve thermal insulation and prevent moisture from entering the room.

In the cold season, due to the low temperature outside, condensation begins to appear on the inside of the glass packet around the window. If the temperature drops to too low, this can lead to the formation of frost or frost. This is especially noticeable at the bottom of the window. The best solution is to use special tapes. Nowadays, in industrial goods stores there is a large assortment of these products.

This window tape It is often used in the manufacture of double-glazed windows. Its main advantage is that it is able to successfully replace with itself a sealant, a desiccant and a remote frame. It is characterized by efficiency and has high technological qualities.

The use of tape sealing type has several advantages:

• affordable cost
• ease of use
• good contact with wood and PVC,
• compliance with state standard specification.

Using the tape is very simple: you just need to put it on one glass, and then combine it with the second and send the structure to the press. The action of assembling a double-glazed window takes no more than a minute, and the service life is measured for decades. To buy a sealing tape You can in the store of industrial goods, and its cost is available to everyone.

Other types of tapes

Among other types of tapes, it is very popular. metallized tape for windows. It is used at the internal joint in the place where the window unit adjoins the wall opening after the foaming process. As a result, the joints of window openings on the inside become airtight. Part tapes Airtight foil and nonwoven fabric included. Vapor barrier tapemetallizedof type It is distinguished by its ductility, anti-diffusion, and the ability to use it on both sides (however, it has only one side self-adhesive). Tape easy to clean, colorable. It has good water and air tightness.

It is worth paying attention to such products as diffusion type tape. It has excellent moisture-proofing properties and is vapor permeable. It is based on a non-woven material belonging to the membrane type, which is produced from synthetics. The main purpose of such a tape is to waterproof the lower seam remaining after installation, as well as other seams and joints of the double-glazed window. Diffusion tape perfectly protects the structure from moisture.

Often diffusion tape It has two adhesive strips on one side (it is much less common to find an option when both sides are glued). For one strip, the tape is attached to a translucent structure, for another - to a slope or wall. Since this type of tape has a wide variety of sizes, you can choose a product to protect any seams. In addition, the use of these tapes helps to protect the mounting foam from moisture from the outside, to remove existing moisture from the foam, thus ventilating the joint. Glue strips are characterized by high strength, surpassing in their performance standard requirements of GOST.

This mounting tape, price which is democratic in industrial goods stores, does not require the use of special tools during installation. It is enough to remove dirt from the surface of the seams and the joint and stick the tape as tightly as possible, since rain moisture will start to get into any gaps and crevices.

Butyl tape part is found in the assortment of shops. Differs in a variety of types, well protects from steam and moisture. Often has a double-sided work surface. It features easy installation, good grip.

If you need high quality tapes for windows, price in our store will pleasantly surprise you. We guarantee a large selection and products from trusted manufacturers.

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