High-quality insulation of seams in panel buildings is impossible without mastic, which is used to fill the joints between structural elements. It is used for sealing purposes and to reduce air conditioning and heating costs. Before working with this material, you should familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics and properties, study the available varieties, choose the appropriate option and follow the rules of the application technology.
Specifications and properties
The joint compound for panel houses has a high degree of adhesion or adhesion to the substrate, which must be completely cleaned. This material is resistant to environmental influences, including high humidity, high and low temperatures. High-quality mastic for external use from renowned manufacturers has a maximum service life and reliably protects the joints for many years. In addition to a long period of operation, modern mastics do not cause problems during application, the whole process requires minimal physical effort.
It is an economical and affordable material, and most thermal insulation sealants can be purchased at an affordable cost. Due to the low consumption per running meter, one package can be reused as needed. Most sealing materials are available for use all year round, including during the winter season. In this case, one must take into account the risk of erosion of the seams in the absence of high-quality wastewater for water in the house.
Varieties of mastic
There are three types of mastic for interpanel seams on the market, each of the categories has its own characteristic features. The sealant can be one-component and requires no preparation for application, or two-component and requires several components to be mixed before use.
Butyl rubber
Butyl rubber mastic can be used in winter at temperatures up to -20 degrees due to the presence of organic solvents in the composition. In more severe frosts, this type of sealant should not be used for work. The material is used only for sealing external seams, since after hardening such mastic releases toxic substances. The service life of the material is no more than eight years.
The butyl rubber compound is fire hazardous until it sets completely. Until this moment, there should be no open sources of fire nearby. Specialists working with the composition must wear overalls, gloves and goggles.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane insulation for joints and seams can be one- and two-component, the second option has a longer shelf life. This type of mastic is distinguished by a high degree of adhesion in relation to various surfaces, including wood, logs and squared beams, as well as glass and metal. Polyurethane sealant is considered the highest quality, its main disadvantage is its high cost. Moreover, such a mastic has ideal performance characteristics and has a maximum service life of up to fifteen years.
Acrylic
Acrylic mastics are not used for sealing joints and seams in panel houses from the outside, since they do not withstand water washout.They are ideal for interior work, as they do not emit toxic substances, have a high level of adhesion and are completely fireproof. They are used to eliminate cracks from the inside in the walls of apartments, houses and office premises, acrylic sealants provide internal sealing and increase noise insulation.
Preparation of mastic
The preparatory phase depends on the type of sealant. If it is one-component, it can be applied without prior preparation. Two-component compositions must be pre-mixed in the indicated proportions and measurements taken when it comes to processing small sections of a panel house. After mixing, the mastic changes its consistency and begins to resemble rubber.
The transition of the sealing state to the working state is irreversible, therefore the components and the magnitude of the proportions should be accurately calculated in advance. The time intervals for the hardening of the composition are indicated on the sealant packaging or in the accompanying passport. This data must be taken into account, especially if you need to close up joints and strengthen joints over large areas.
Sealant staining
The process of dyeing or coloring the mastic is an obligatory step and is carried out to give a complete look to the panel house. Best suited for this purpose are butyl-type sealants, which can be painted over with any paint. Polyurethane materials are more demanding on the effect of coloring agents. Information on the type of paint should be checked with the sealant manufacturer upon application. If this is not possible, experts conduct test stains using several types of paints and varnishes.
It is possible to paint with paint only mastic that has completely hardened after insulation of interpanel joints and seams. The choice of coating for the sealant must be based on the instructions from the number of recommended options. Otherwise, the paint may not fit, and the installation work will not lead to the desired result.
Application technology
To seal and insulate the seams with mastic, it is necessary to follow the technology and rules for using the sealant. Sealing of seams in panel-type houses is primary and secondary - directly during the construction of the building and during repair work. During the initial procedure, a sealant is laid in the seams or treated with special materials, after which a layer of waterproofing is added. It is important to ensure that the components of the mastic are resistant to precipitation and temperature extremes.
Reprocessing of joints in a house is permissible no later than seven years after its construction. The service life of any sealant is no more than fifteen years. The rules of secondary sealing directly depend on the state of the seams, in the absence of visible defects, only the outer layer is replaced, if the joints are severely destroyed, all old materials are removed and the seams are filled with new ones. To avoid possible problems, the following basic rules are observed during installation:
- If the horizontal joints have defects, the seams of at least three vertical rows are treated with a sealant.
- In case of violation of the integrity of the vertical seam in the longitudinal facade, it is necessary to repair both vertical cracks and adjacent horizontal ones.
- When carrying out restoration work from the end, do not forget about the seams that need to be insulated between the longitudinal walls and panels in the end and front part.
The mastic must have a plastic consistency, since the joints between the panels can change size due to shrinkage, concrete creep, temperature changes or due to stress. Rigid material can provoke depressurization of the seams and the need for additional work.It is necessary to lay the sealant in a layer that will be twice as thin as the joint.
