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How to make polyurethane foam hard. What is foam made of? Influence of composition on quality. Pros and cons of using foam as a sealing material

If it becomes necessary to fill a hole, a seam or a gap, polyurethane foam is most often used. This material is used for rough finishing, installation door frames, double-glazed windows, repair of balconies, construction of various buildings (for sealing).

There are several types of mounting foam - for different conditions and tasks.

The product is sold in bottles of different volumes (from 300 ml to 1 liter).

Approximate composition (may partially differ, depending on the manufacturer and type):

Prepolymers (polyol, isocyanate) - the basis of the foam. Upon contact with air, this component enters the polymerization process, expanding and foaming.
Propellant (propellant, mixture of butane and propane). Displaces the composition from the cylinder when pressed.
Additives. Additional components that improve adhesion, regulate the degree of foaming, are necessary to change the operating temperature.

Specifications

Technical characteristics of mounting foam:

Extension. Indicates the volume that the mixture occupies in 2 stages: leaving the container and solidifying. The larger the expansion, the denser the gap (seam, hole) will be foamed. Average rates are 10-60% for household formulations, and 180-300% for professional formulations.
Adhesion. Indicates the tenacity of the composition with the surface inside the foamed space. The higher the viscosity, the less foam will slip. Actual if you need to foam holes on a vertical surface (on the wall) or on the ceiling (from where the foam can drain before solidifying). In numbers, 0.4-0.48 MPa is considered a normal parameter.
The volume in the container and the volume at the outlet. Common options: 300 ml (will give about 30 liters of hardened foam), 500 ml (will give about 40 liters of foam), 750 ml (will give up to 50 liters of foam) and 1000 ml (80-100 liters). The volume of cured foam is given approximately, at normal conditions(room temperature).
The temperature at which the foam can be applied.

These characteristics are indicated on the cylinder.

Purpose and scope

Mounting foam is used in construction at the following stages:

Rough finish.
Installation of door frames, balcony and window frames.
Laying communications (for sealing between water pipes, sewer pipes, ventilation ducts, gas pipeline and wall so that there is no vibration).

Its purpose is to seal holes, cavities, seams and joints between structural elements if their width exceeds 2-3 cm. Previously, cement and tow were used for such tasks, but this method is longer and more complicated.

Pros and cons of using foam as a sealing material

The advantages of the application include the following nuances:

Easy to use (work with mounting foam does not require special experience or knowledge).
High speed of application and hardening (300-500 ml balloon can be completely released in 5-10 minutes, it will harden in 3-12 hours, depending on air humidity and temperature).
Can be applied to any type of material, including metal, plastic and polymer surfaces.
Strong adhesion to surfaces (after hardening, it will be difficult to tear off the foam, but if necessary, it can be cut off or washed with a solvent).
Moisture resistance (the layer of hardened foam does not rot, does not mold).
The presence of compositions with different characteristics (for different temperatures, with different degrees of protection against open fire).

Of the main disadvantages - susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation. Under the sun's rays, the foam dries out over time, but it is usually used at the stage of rough finishing, and is not left in sight - either covered with plaster or covered with panels (plastic, for example).

Types of mounting foam

All compositions can be divided into:

The number of components.
Method of application.
temperature.
Flammability levels.

By number of components

There are compositions:

One-component. Sold in cylinders under pressure, do not require additional components: the composition can be applied immediately by spraying it from a container.
Two-component. Sold in 2 separate containers. The contents of the containers must be mixed in certain proportions, and the resulting mixture should be applied using special devices.

AT construction stores most of the products are single-component formulations. Two-component ones are usually used only for industrial purposes, with large volumes of work and, if necessary, to obtain the highest characteristics of the composition.

By way of application

There are compositions:

Professional. Foam is sprayed from a cylinder that is inserted into a construction gun. A more convenient option than spraying with a tube, it allows you to quickly work with a large volume (for example, to foam the gaps between the plates).
Semi-professional (household). A plastic tube is put on the cylinder through which the mixture will pass. Suitable for small volumes (for example, to foam a gap when insulating a balcony).

Plastic nozzle tubes are sold as a set with low volume volumes. They can be used several times (if the work is carried out in several stages, if several cylinders are used), for which it is necessary to blow out the tube after application (so that the foam does not freeze inside).

Foam guns are sold separately. The minimum cost is about 300 rubles, the average is 500-800. The device is reusable, at the end of work it must be washed with a special cleaner (composition based on acetone solution). Even if the foam hardens inside the nozzle, it can be washed off with a cleaner or cleaned mechanically.

The temperature at which the foam can be applied

By temperature conditions there are such types of compositions:

Summer: designed for use at +5º…+35º.
Winter: designed for use at −18º…+35º.
Universal: used at −10º…+35º.

The temperature of the surfaces to which the foam is applied is indicated, not the temperature of the air in the room. Therefore, when working in cold weather (for example, if a balcony is glazed in winter, or the seams are foamed in a building under construction without heating or without windows), it is necessary to heat not the room, but the surface.

Also, the surface temperature affects the volume of the mounting foam: the colder, the less ready-made solution will be obtained at the exit.

According to the degree of flammability

It is relevant if the work is carried out in a room with the possibility of fire (for example, in a bathhouse).

Product classes:

B1: fireproof.
B2: self-extinguishing.
Q3: combustible.

Popular manufacturers

On the Russian market there are products of such manufacturers:

Macroflex (Makroflex, Finland).
Bison International (Netherlands).
Soudal (Belgium).
Tytan, Hauser (Poland).
Bau Master, Domos (Estonia).
Master Gvozd, CHIP, Putech (RF).
Ceresit (Germany).

Rules for the use of mounting foam

Foam is used, observing the following rules:

The width of the gap or hole should be in the range of 2-10 cm. Narrow cracks (up to 2 cm) are best sealed with putty or sealant. Wider gaps are best sealed with brick, wood or foam, and the remaining leaks should be foamed.
When working in cold weather, the foam cylinder will need to be heated: lower it into a container with warm water (up to 30-40º approximately).
You can cut off the excess only after 25-30 minutes after applying the foam, when it completely hardens. You can do this with a construction knife.
The cylinder must be held upside down so that the gas pushes out the foam. If you hold the bottle upside down, the gas will come out of the container, but the foam will remain.
After removing the cap and attaching to the gun (or tube), the container must be shaken.
A cylinder with "household" foam is used completely in 1 run - an open container cannot be stored for a long time, it will harden.
The gap cannot be foamed by more than 50%, because when expanding, its volume increases.

Complex nuances

To not have to cut a large number of foam and redo the structure, please note:

If the hole is 3-4 cm wide or more, the foam is applied in several steps: first, 1 layer, after it hardens, the next ones in succession.
It is better not to fill through holes with foam. On the one hand, it is recommended to cover them with something tightly (for example, with a board), and remove the “lid” only 30 minutes after foaming, when the composition has hardened.
When installing door and window frames, they must be fixed with dowels and spacers. If this is not done, the expanding composition may warp the box, and it will have to be installed again.

Stages of work

Step by step, the foam is used like this:

The surface is cleaned of small debris, if any.
The surface is degreased (acetone).
The surface is moistened (sprayed with water using a brush or spray gun). Foam hardens faster and better if the surface (or air) is moist.
If the room is cold, the balloon is placed in warm water.
The balloon is opened, inserted into the gun (or a tube is put on it) and shaken.
The end of the tube is inserted into the slot, and the foam is fed in portions, 5-10 cm in length of the slot, moving from bottom to top.
After complete solidification (after 25-30 minutes), the protruding pieces are cut off with a construction knife.

Safety measures when working with polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a chemical composition that is in a pressurized container. Therefore, you need to work with it, observing the safety rules:

Do not drop or heat the balloon.
Do not use the cylinder near hot surfaces or open flames.
The work is carried out with gloves (if the foam gets on the skin, it will be difficult to clean it off).
You need to keep a sponge and a rag on hand - to clean off the composition if it gets into an “unnecessary” place.

Removal of foam in contact with "unnecessary" surfaces

Mounting foam sets to the surface quickly, so if it gets somewhere other than the right gap, it will be hard to clean it off.

Ways to clean different surfaces:

Leather. If the composition is not frozen, it is removed with a sponge, and the residues are washed with acetone or a solvent. If it is frozen, it is cut off and rubbed off with a scrub.
Textile. The uncured composition is collected by any solid object (a piece of a board will do). Frozen pieces are cut off, and small residues are washed off with a solvent. In both cases, a stubborn stain may remain on the fabric.
Plastic window sills, frames, slopes. The fresh composition is removed with a sponge, the remains are washed off with a cleaner for plastic surfaces. The dried layer is cut off, the remnants are washed off.
Linoleum, laminate. Fresh foam is removed with a solid object (a spatula, a piece of board), the remains are collected with a sponge dipped in a cleaner.

In order to prevent such situations, in addition to the skin, it is necessary to protect the surfaces around. It is advisable to cover them with plastic wrap, rags or newspapers.

The appearance of a new generation of windows in the modern construction industry has opened up wide possibilities for the use of modern polyurethane-based sealant - polyurethane foam. It is designed to connect various elements structures among themselves. Installation plastic windows now it is no longer complete without building foam. Previously, the installation of windows was notable for the inconvenience and increased laboriousness of sealing due to the use of tow on cement mortar, which ignored numerous small inaccessible spaces. Mounting foam is able to fill them, thereby providing heat, sound insulation and sealing properties during installation. Filling voids and cracks in doors and window blocks, water pipes, roofing materials and other building structures, mounting foam creates not only tightness, sound insulation by filling voids, but also reliable fixation of elements.

Features of mounting foam

Construction foam, as a rule, is stored in aerosol cans of various capacities, as it is a mixture of polyurethane substance and pressurized gas in a ratio of 3/1. In this proportion, the foam easily fills any voids, cracks, potholes.

The ability of the mounting foam to provide the structure with thermal insulation, tightness and resistance to various kinds of influences can be increased, provided that its feature is taken into account to collapse under the influence of direct sunlight.

The advantage of building foam is its relatively low cost. It is used with almost all building materials - concrete, wood, plastic, glass, brick. The exceptions are plastic, teflon, silicone, polyethylene. If, nevertheless, foam is applied to these materials, then their surface is pre-treated with acetone. Labor costs and time costs when working with polyurethane foam are insignificant due to its rapid polymerization.

Note! The disadvantages of mounting foam include its chemical base (ventilation of residential premises and the use of protective equipment - gloves, a respirator - when working with aerosol) are required), instability to ultraviolet rays and natural precipitation - rain, snow. Therefore, the gaps filled with mounting foam must be covered with paint, sealant or covered with a casing.

It is also worth noting that the cost of an air gun for a foam cylinder is much higher than the cost of the cylinder itself, but thanks to its repeated use, it will pay for itself in a short time.

Mounting foam is one- and two-component. When spraying one-component foam, chemical reaction with the formation of polyurethane foam, capable of transforming into a solid consistency in an environment with 35% humidity, the volume of which increases by 250%. The ambient temperature should vary between +5-+35 degrees Celsius. Ideally, the air temperature should be 20 degrees, air humidity - 60-80%.

Note! There are types of specialized foam, which is used in winter conditions (at sub-zero temperatures), but under the main condition - sufficient air humidity. Otherwise, the mounting foam will not harden.

Operating principle

Before understanding how to apply mounting foam, it is important to know the principle of its formation. In an aerosol can, mounting foam is contained in the form of polyurethane ingredients, which are placed in the center of the container. In its lower part are diisocyanates, in the upper part - gas. The main condition for the use of the contents of the container is the mixing of the components, therefore, before applying the mounting foam, the container should be shaken thoroughly. Under the influence of gas, the foam is forced out of the balloon, increases in volume due to the interaction of polyurethane and diisocyanates, and then absorbs moisture from the environment and hardens, forming a dense plastic.

Note! For hardening (polymerization) of the foam, at least 8 hours are required, for complete drying - 2 days. After drying, the foam gives some shrinkage of 5% or more (50% shrinkage gives household sealant). The smallest shrinkage (5%) allows foam applied with an air gun.

Surface preparation and material handling

Depending on the scope of work, preference is given to either mounting foam with a tube in the cylinder valve (“amateur”), or its application using an air gun (“professional”). By chemical composition such foams are no different from each other. For sealing small gaps, an “amateur” package with a tube is suitable, which becomes unusable a few hours after use due to the foam hardened in it. "Professional" packaging with a special thread on the valve to connect the gun is important in case of a large amount of "fine" work, where accurate, economical dosing in hard-to-reach places is required.

When applying foam, the following procedure should be followed:

Remove debris (chips, etc., old foam is removed mechanically) from the places of foam application. Foam is used for gaps 2-8 cm wide. Gaps up to 2 cm are sealed with a different sealant, gaps wider than 8 cm are reduced.
Moisten the surface on which the mounting foam will be applied with a spray gun, avoiding dripping moisture.
The temperature of the foam can must be the same as the air temperature. To do this, the balloon is lowered for several hours into a container with water of the desired temperature.
Shake the balloon for 1 minute for the foam components to enter into a chemical reaction.
Apply foam from bottom to top with smooth movements for 1/3 of the gap. The cylinder must be in the upside down position.
Deep cracks and large voids are filled with foam in layers or by 50% with breaks of 10 minutes for the foam to swell. The diameter of the foam jet is 1 cm. During the break, as well as during storage, the cylinder must always be in an upright position.
After removing the gun from the cylinder, you need to clean them from the remaining foam using a special solution, apply technical vaseline to treat the screw, socket and gun muzzle.

After the foam has hardened, its excess is removed with a knife, the places of its application are protected from environmental influences with a layer of paint, sealant or putty, or covered with a casing.

Video

How to work with gun foam, see below:

Polyurethane mounting foam is an excellent sealant and insulation. It is used both for the installation of such large-scale structures as doors and windows, and for the repair of minor defects. This material is used to patch various cracks and crevices, restore tightness at the joints, and even make other building materials. Foamed polyurethane is quite easy to use, but you need to follow certain rules for working with it, be quite careful so that the seam is even and lasts a long time.

Peculiarities

The hardened polyurethane foam is an elastic solid material of a yellowish-white color. This very light substance has excellent heat and noise insulation performance. It very quickly loses its properties under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, therefore it is mainly used indoors.

Such foam has a number of advantages that favorably distinguish it from other materials:

increased moisture resistance, high rates of sound and heat insulation;
low current conductivity, which allows it to be used in the installation of electrical networks;
many types of foam are resistant to fire, which allows expanding the scope of its application;
after exiting the cylinder, such foam expands in volume and fills even those microcracks into which it is impossible to insert a gun tube;
polyurethane can be used to glue surfaces made of different materials, for example, wood or brick;
the foam is completely non-toxic, while being resistant to chemical attack.

Almost all of the above properties must be specified by the manufacturer in the appropriate certificates, which can be requested from the seller.

The following information should be printed on the packaging itself:

foam expansion volume. It can be from 10 to 300%, but most often, in fact, the foam still turns out to be somewhat less, since this percentage is indicated for ideal conditions;
its viscosity;
the volume of the container itself.

Most often, all these characteristics depend on the type and purpose of the foam, so you need to know which polyurethane and what it should be used for.

Release form

All types of polyurethane insulation differ in several criteria.

Depending on the method of application and the form of release, they can be of two types.

Professional foam is produced in special cylinders that are inserted into a plastic gun with metal clips. Such a gun allows you to use polyurethane economically and in equal portions. The main thing is to thoroughly rinse the device after use so that the remnants of the substance in it do not freeze.
Household foam packs are equipped with a small tube instead of a gun, which is put on the lever. She is not suitable for big renovation, but perfectly cope with minor flaws.

Depending on what time of the year and at what temperature the polyurethane will expand and solidify, the following types of mounting foam are distinguished:

summer - used at temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees;
winter - used at temperatures from -18 to +35 degrees;
universal - it costs much more, but it can be used all year round.

It should be noted that the temperature ranges are indicated not for air, but for the surface on which the composition will be applied. The lower its temperature, the less will be the expansion of the finished layer.

In addition, foam may vary in types depending on the flammability class:

B3 - combustible substance;
В2 – self-extinguishing substance;
B1 - refractory compositions.

Finally, mounting foams differ in composition. They can be one- or two-component. However, the latter type of foam is so difficult to handle that it is practically not used for private construction and do-it-yourself renovation of the premises. Two-component foam hardens in a quarter of an hour and there is practically no time left to eliminate defects, therefore only experienced professional builders use it.

Scope of application

Most often, mounting foam is used in the process of installing windows and doors, laying electrical wiring and pipelines. Due to the high thermal insulation in this way, it is possible to foam seams and recesses in cooling and heating systems, cracks in the roof and when insulating the surface of walls, floors or ceilings. She fits perfectly Wall panels and foam boards, providing excellent waterproofing. It is applied outside steel baths or cast iron baths to reduce the heat transfer of the metal when filling the bath. hot water. With the help of polyurethane, you can insulate the space behind the sheathing of PVC panels. In almost half of the repair processes, it remains an indispensable material.

In order to avoid any problems both with small and with overhaul own house or apartment, you need to be able to use both professional and household mounting foam. To work correctly with the first, you must correctly install and use a special construction gun.

Gun installation includes the following steps:

to begin with, the foam balloon is heated in warm water to room temperature, after which it is vigorously shaken for 30 seconds. This will give the polyurethane a homogeneous state, which will allow it to exit the cylinder smoothly and in full;
the protective cap is removed from the upper container of the gun, it is turned with the handle down and the cylinder is screwed into it. The container is screwed in with force until a hiss appears, which means that the mixture has begun to flow into the tool;
if the gun was previously used and was not washed well, then hissing will not be heard and you will have to purchase a new tool;
the system of connected elements is shaken strongly a few more times, turn the adjustment screw a quarter of a turn and, holding the trigger, begin to apply.

Working with such equipment does not require specific skills, but will require considerable dexterity if this is the first time.

Applying foam from a gun is carried out as follows:

First you need to clear work surface from dust and dirt, then lightly wet it with a conventional spray, since the foam interacts better with a wet surface;
the tool nozzle is directed to the surface;
foam is fed into the right amount smooth pull of the trigger;
to pour the composition into a vertical recess, it must be applied from the bottom up;
wide spaces are filled with zigzag movements by no more than a third of the volume, since the foam expands greatly in air;
it is better to supplement the area after than to cut off the excess of the solidified substance.

The gun barrel is quite long by itself, but in order to glue materials in hard-to-reach places, for example, to fill the voids between a false wall, you should additionally purchase an extension hose that is put on it.

Despite the fact that the packaging most often indicates a hardening time of up to 8 hours, in fact this process can take up to half a day. After complete solidification, the excess is cut off with an ordinary clerical knife or a metal file.

Unlike a handy construction gun, household polyurethane foam is equipped with just a small PVC tube that fits onto an adapter. In principle, the sequence of work itself is practically the same, however, more efforts will have to be made to fill the gap of the same volume. Such a tube is convenient for small volumes of work, because with it it is impossible to release the solution in equal portions. In addition, the balloon has to be constantly kept upside down, which is why the arm is constantly numb, so it is difficult to maintain smooth movements. If such a tube and adapter were not sold complete with polyurethane insulation, then you will have to buy them separately.

You will learn more about how to use mounting foam from the video.

Most often, mounting foam is purchased in the right amount at a time and after use, even if it is unfinished, it is thrown away. And also it is not bought in advance, as it has a limited shelf life. It is worth considering in more detail the nuances described below in order to be able to save.

Can it be applied multiple times?

It is widely believed among buyers that professional foam with a gun can be reused, but a household variety with a flexible tube, alas, is disposable and cannot be reapplied to the surface. Indeed, most often, if you leave the cylinder on the gun and block the trigger with a dispenser, the gun will not allow air to enter the cylinder and the composition will not harden. At the next use, it will be enough to remove the remnants of the hardened foam from the nozzle and you can start working again. However, exactly the same can be achieved from a household remedy. To do this, you need to start releasing foam from the cylinder, but, without letting it go out, bend and pull the soft tube with a wire. The foam at its end will harden, but the fold will not allow air to penetrate further and spoil the entire volume of the substance. At the next use, the cured edge of the PVC tube is simply cut off and the foam is ready for use. The container can be stored in this form for no more than a few weeks.

AT modern world used in almost all types of repair and construction work. It is used during the installation of doors, windows and window sills, plumbing fixtures. Also, this building material has found wide application as a heater - they close cracks and cracks, sandwich panels and various heaters are made from it.

The main advantage of polyurethane foam is the convenience and ease of use.

Types of mounting foam

In order to figure out how to use mounting foam correctly, consider its varieties. Today, modern industry produces three types of this material: professional and household cylinders, as well as two-component mounting foam (we will not consider it in this article, since it is used only in production conditions). What is their difference? What type to give preference? How to use a balloon with polyurethane foam The main criterion for choosing this material is its purpose.

Foam for professional use (pistol)

This material is sold in cylinders from 1.5 liters and differs in that it can only be used with the help of It is used, as a rule, by professional builders, since this design allows you to easily and quickly complete the job.

The use of a gun greatly facilitates the dosage of the material. For one-time work at home, the material is not very convenient, because after application it is necessary to wash the gun, and this is an additional financial cost. There are manufacturers who complete the cylinders with a spray tube. But it is not economical to apply professional foam from it, since strong pressure increases its consumption.

Foam for home use

It is sold in tubes, the capacity of which is 0.6-0.8 liters, and is completed with a straw. It is intended for single use. Convenient for filling small spaces and correcting various installation imperfections. Household polyurethane foam is endowed with the same properties as professional use. There is a tubing included. If necessary, you can use both a cylinder and a gun.

The cost of professional foam is much higher than household foam, and this is mainly due to the difference in their volume.

Gun design

Before we learn how to use a spray foam can, let's first look at the design of the gun. Regardless of manufacturer? its device is the same and quite simple:

If the supply of household foam occurs through a PVC tube, then in the gun it is carried out through a metal one with a special tip - a nozzle. The tip opening is 5 times smaller than the cross section of the supply tube, thereby increasing the working pressure of the mixture.
The cylinder is connected through an adapter - an adapter, which is fixed on the gun body.
The purpose of the adjusting screw is to control the output of the mixture.
The handle of this tool is aluminum or plastic. It is attached to the barrel with a nut. Thanks to the collapsible design, the gun is easy to clean from frozen residues.
The trigger serves to supply the mixture from the cylinder.

How to install a cylinder on a gun

In order to learn how to properly use a foam gun, let's first look at how to insert it:

The first thing to do is to warm up the foam balloon in hot water to room temperature and shake thoroughly for 20-25 seconds to bring the polyurethane foam substance to a homogeneous state. The foam will come out of a homogeneous consistency and in full.

The container is closed on top with a protective cap, which must be removed before installation. Then place the gun with the handle down. When connecting, firmly hold the device with one hand by the handle, and with the other, rotate the cylinder onto the adapter. Evidence of connection will be a hiss, which indicates the flow of foam. If this sound was not there, this indicates a malfunction of the inlet ball valve or the expiration date of the foam itself. To eliminate such a problem, the gun will have to be disassembled and cleaned of dried old material.
After shaking, the device is placed in the working position with the handle down. The adjusting screw is turned a quarter of a turn and the trigger is pulled, directing the barrel into the bag. When the consistency of the foam is normal, get to work.

Mounting foam: how to use a can with a gun?

To work with polyurethane foam does not require special skills. It will be enough to try to foam something once or twice, and everything will work out. Consider the order of work and some of the nuances:

Polyurethane foam is a material sensitive to ultraviolet rays, which, under their influence, is destroyed, changes color and crumbles. If used outdoors, then after complete drying and removal of excess, it is necessary to cover it with cement mortar.

How to use mounting foam with a tube?

If a gun is not provided for the cylinder (in household foam), then instead of it a PVC tube is included in the kit, which is screwed onto the adapter. The principle of operation is identical to professional foaming. It is not always convenient to work with such a balloon, but for one-time use it is great. This option will be ideal in that situation, if you plan to close up small seams.

So, what are the disadvantages of polyurethane foam? How to use it, we have already found out. Now let's look at the cons of such material:

It is impossible to dose the supply of the contents of the container, which increases the consumption of mounting foam.
The inconvenience of working with this tool. Holding the balloon upside down by hand is quite tiring and even inconvenient. The arm often gets tired and constant breaks are needed.

Using mounting foam without a gun and a straw

Sometimes professional polyurethane foam can be used without a gun. How to use the balloon? In this situation, you will have to pick up the foam tube yourself and figure out how to press the valve. Figuratively, this process can be represented as follows: you need to let the air out so that it can all get to the right point and at the same time not catch your hands.

In this case, a tube of 3 parts is chosen: the first and third are flexible, and the second is solid. The valve is pressed with the middle part, the first prevents the mounting foam from splashing, and the third already brings it to the place of processing.

Conclusion

So, we have considered mounting foam. How to use such material, we also studied. But do not forget about the protection of hands and face, since the foam is rather difficult to wash off. It's much cheaper to buy an extra pair of gloves than it is to buy thinner or walk around with dirty hands.

Everyone wants their home to be associated with comfort and coziness. To achieve such results, various construction and repair procedures are carried out. Creating an excellent microclimate is one of the most important steps to achieve comfort. Proper waterproofing will help to achieve a microclimate.

Today in the construction market you can find a lot of waterproofing materials that have different technical characteristics and properties. Polyurethane foam can be used as such material. Is the mounting foam permeable to water or not? Consider it specifications and properties, scope, as well as instructions for waterproofing.

No type of building or repair work impossible to imagine without the use of this material. With this tool, you can mount various elements of the room. Let's first look at the applications of this product.

Areas of use

There are different areas of use:

The material is used for soundproofing. Mounting foam can prevent the spread of noise from air conditioners, heating appliances, and water pipes. To do this, all holes in the walls and pipe joints are filled with this building product. That is, for the seal.
Carrying out thermal insulation and waterproofing. Thanks to this tool, you can seal defects in the roof. It is possible to isolate rooms that are cold. You can fill all the voids that are around pipes, doors and windows. The main property of this tool is sealing.
Carrying out gluing. Thanks to him, you can connect different components that are made of various materials.

First you need to read the instructions provided by the sealant manufacturer.
Shake the can before starting work.
In order for adhesion to be excellent (adhesion to the surface), the coating must be moistened before applying the substance.
If the procedure will take place at low temperatures, it is necessary to heat the can. You can do this in warm water. The mounting foam should heat up to five degrees Celsius.
If you need to fill holes that are vertical, then filling occurs from the bottom up.
The foam becomes solid only eight hours after application. After you have applied it, cut off the excess part of the material after 60 minutes.
Ultraviolet rays have a detrimental effect on this product, so it is necessary to cover it with a primer, paint or plaster.

Be sure to follow these tips.

Polyurethane foam properties

Now consider the technical characteristics and properties of the building substance:

The application process can be carried out using a gun with an applicator. Thanks to this construction tool, the procedure will be much faster.
The product allows you to fill the voids between the components of the structure, thereby increasing their waterproofing characteristics and strength. Relatively moisture resistant, not afraid of moisture.
Foam in aerosols at low temperatures acquires its relevance.
The material has high level resistance to mechanical damage.
The tool grabs and fixes in a short period of time.

Thanks to these properties, construction foam can be used in different places:

It is used on boats and rafts to seal various cracks.
With it, you can close cracks and holes in the roof.
Fills voids in window and door frames.
The voids that are located around the heating and water pipes are filled.
Masonry made of stone or concrete acquires waterproofing properties when cracks are sealed.
Sand dams can also be protected from the effects of water.

When the foam for waterproofing interacts with water, it begins to swell and increase in volume. After it hardens within 24 hours.

Waterproof foam for the bathroom perfectly copes with its task. During the installation of the bath, cracks appear between the walls, which can be repaired with foam. How to do it?

When insulating a bathroom, foam is used as follows:

Get a spray can that has a domestic purpose.
For some time it should be in a room with room temperature, after which it must be shaken.
In the crack, the foam should be squeezed out carefully and carefully.
When the product has time to dry, it is necessary to cut off the excess parts. You can do this with a knife.
In order to improve the waterproofing characteristics, it is necessary to apply grout.

Mounting foam for waterproofing works can be purchased in cylinders. Its type is a liquid propellant or prepolymer. As soon as the product leaves the container, the solidification reaction begins, after which rigid polyurethane foam is formed.

Since this building product has a low level of electrical conductivity and moisture resistance, it is most often used for sound insulation. Foam can be used for both outdoor and indoor use. The foam is waterproof.

Types of mounting foam

In total, in the construction market you can find two types of this substance:

professional tool;
household tool.

Professional waterproofing foam is applied only using a specially designed gun with an applicator.

The household substance is applied using a can. When you use building material Do not throw away a can that is already half empty. It is necessary to insert a screw into a plastic tube. After some time, if you need, you can use the same foam. If this is not done, then the tool will simply harden and be unusable.

Household product features:

Has a large expansion during solidification.
The spray can is not always of high quality, because most of the product is not used.
The outlet bottle has a small volume.

Features of a professional product:

The outlet bottle has a large volume.
The structure of the material is dense.
Expansion: 10 to 40 percent.

Any type of product should be applied gently and evenly. The applied layer must be thin. Thanks to this, you can save the substance, and then you will not need to eliminate unnecessary parts.

Is mounting foam suitable for waterproofing?

In many European countries, mounting foam cannot be used in the construction of facilities. If you use this substance in order to close up windows, then you must definitely cut off the excess parts, as well as blowing with silicone. Thanks to this, you can prevent the penetration of moisture and dampness.

Polyurethane foam is hygroscopic, it absorbs water after a certain period of time.

After a certain period of time due to factors external environment, the influence of ultraviolet sunlight deteriorates the characteristics of the product, and it becomes unusable. According to research, the foam absorbed moisture like a sponge. There are foams for different seasons, depending on this, winter and summer products are used. You can also buy all-weather polyurethane foam.

Application process

Regardless of environmental factors, the can should always have an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. Before starting the procedure, the coating must first be prepared, that is, it must be cleaned of dirt and dust. Don't forget to shake the can. To use professional foam, you need to use a gun with an applicator.

If an excess has been applied, then it must be eliminated. A rag will help with this, try not to smear the substance. If you did not eliminate the excess part immediately, but it hardened, then you need to use acetone or gasoline (or some other solvent).

You can get rid of the remaining foam on your hands using a solution of table salt. For the mixture, you need to prepare warm water, and dissolve the salt in it. Then release your hands there. Use a washcloth to clean your hands. Laundry soap also helps.

Work must be done with gloves. Also, vegetable oil will help to remove the remnants of the product on the hands.

Mounting foam is sold on the construction market in a can. The cylinder can be used to flush the gun. Thorough cleaning of construction tools is a guarantee of long-term work with them.

Mounting foam is not as commonly used as waterproofing material. Most often it is used to create soundproofing in a room. Especially it is used for door noise insulation. Because many external factors can adversely affect the structure of the construction foam.

Therefore, for waterproofing it is better to find a better material. Polyurethane foam does not let water through and holds it, but this is only temporary. But it also depends on the quality. The product is mainly used for sealing. Sometimes a substance is used for condensate. Therefore, mounting foam and water are related concepts.