A Guide to the Different Types of Sealant

Sealant is the unsung hero of construction and often, seals are overlooked or underspent on when it comes to considering the tools and hardware. Whether it’s a full construction from the ground up or a smaller renovation project, it’s time to give sealant the consideration and budget it deserves (and requires).

In this blog, we’ll explain the function of sealant and explore why it’s such an important element to get right – especially when dealing with modern construction techniques versus more traditional methods.

We’ll also talk you through some different types of sealants and seals, including Loctite Threadlocker (which we stock here at The Hosemaster) so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

Why is sealant so important?

But first, let’s take a deep dive into why sealant is so important for your project.

The main basic function of sealant, as the name suggests, is to seal the gap between two parts. In this context, sealant is used to seal joints and connections to act as a barrier against things like dampness, moisture, sound, and debris. It’s also a structural element, used to bolster the construction of a building. 

So, as you can imagine, sealant is pretty crucial. In fact, sealant is the glue that holds everything else together – metaphorically and literally.  

Note: one of the great things about sealants too is that they offer more flexibility than similar products like caulk or other adhesives. 

If a sealant fails or can’t function properly, this will compromise the construction and structural integrity of the building. Not only can this be highly dangerous, but it can also impact the interior features and aesthetics of the space. 

If moisture can get through an ill-fitting or damaged seal, for example, this can cause dampness to develop inside, which can damage things like wallpaper and furniture over time. And, if left untreated or unnoticed, dampness can lead to additional health complications. 

That’s just one example – weak or compromised seals can also lead to problems with the stability and alignment of other fixtures and furnishings in a space. 

Sealant is particularly important in modern construction, which adopts techniques that are far more reliant on seals than traditional methods. Many traditional designs included drainage and mass walls built to remove water before it could penetrate inside. New buildings, on the other hand, have things like lightweight masonry and rendering that need sealant in order to function.

The different types of sealant and seal

As sealant is such a critical part of construction in terms of stability, safety, aesthetics, and longevity, it’s important to invest the right amount of research and budget into it. For example, it’s essential to:

• Choose high-quality products that are built to last. 
• Install seals and sealants currently to ensure they can function as they should. 
• Maintain seals meticulously and act fast if any repairs need doing. Shrinking and cracking are common problems that can arise over time.
• Replace seals and sealant from time to time where possible to keep the construction in good condition. 

Establishing all of these points as good habits will help you get the most out of your sealing products while also reducing the risk of damage or danger.

Another critical key to sealant success is making sure you’re picking the right type of product for your project. So, next, we’ll explore some of the most common types of seals and sealants to steer you in the right direction.

Loctite sealants

Loctite is a German brand that produces some of the most durable sealants on the market. The products come in a range of different strengths, grades, and formulas, as well as a variety of formats including:

• Liquid (in several viscosities for different purposes).
• Sealant sticks (like an uber professional glue stick).
• Pipe sealing cord

Buy now – Loctite® 3463 Magic Metal Stick Set

The Loctite range includes anaerobic sealants, which are specifically designed for bonding metal piping. 

After application, they cure to form a solid seal that resists loosening from vibration and won’t shrink or crack over time. This is because anything using anaerobic technology will harden in the absence of air and the presence of metal ions.

Our Loctite range features the popular Loctite Threadlocker products, which is a strong chemical formula that stops nuts and bolts from self-loosening as a result of vibration and also works anaerobically.

Buy now – Loctite® 270 High Strength Threadlocker

O-rings and washers

O-rings are circular discs with a round cross-section at the centre. They are designed to fit into grooves to connect two parts by being compressed and sealing the joint. Often, they are made from an elastomer like rubber but they can be made of several other materials and compounds including metal, nitrile, and silicone. 

Buy now – O-Ring - Metric - Nitrile

O-rings are most commonly used to seal pipes, cylinders, valves, and connectors but are also often used in hydraulics. They’re cheap, easy to install, and don’t make any mess or require any particular accuracy. However, O-rings can distort or wear away with friction more easily than other sealant solutions.

Washers are similar to O-rings and perform similar functions. However, washers are typically flat, circular pieces of material, often metal or rubber, with a hole in the centre that are designed more for distributing pressure. 

Buy now – Rubber Washers

Note: washers shouldn’t really be used as the only sealing measure but provide a good supplementary addition where applicable.

Bonded seals

Bonded seals combine a metal washer and a rubber sealing ring to create a seal that’s designed to perform under high pressure, e.g. in a hydraulic system. The rubber sealing ring is normally made of materials like NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) or Viton, which both provide high resistance to oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluids.

Buy now – Bonded Seal - Imperial

Bonded seals are incredibly strong, ultra leak-proof, and can be thought of as similar to a more robust type of O-ring.

Tape

Specific sealing tapes like the Denso Petrolatum Tape we stock here at The Hosemaster can also be used as a sealant. Denso Tape is impermeable to water, water vapour, and gases so is a great option for tie bars, post-tensioned rods, buried pipelines, cables, and tanks as an extra measure in the sealing framework.

Wire wool

Wire wool is another option for sealing gaps but not something that can be used to connect joints. A common sealing-related use of wire wool is for the blocking of entry points for mice and rats. Wire wool (or steel wool) can be easily cut and moulded to fit into different cracks and gaps, as well as things like pipes and vents to block debris or small animals from entering the building.

Choosing the right type of seal or sealant

When buying sealants, it’s important to think about what type you should use for a specific project. Using the wrong type of sealant might mean the seal fails completely. Or, even if it works somewhat, the hold still won’t be strong enough to function properly.

Below, we’ve pulled together a list of things you should consider when picking out your sealant:

• Consistency – Some types of sealant are liquid, which means they’re better for horizontal joins. Tapes, on the other hand, lend themselves more appropriately to vertical connections. This is just one example – consider what you want to seal and how you plan to do it and let this inform the consistency you opt for.
  
• Level of adhesion – Some types of seals are more adhesive than others. Look at the specifications of the product for more information. If possible, it might be worth testing a sealant on the surface you’re working on before buying the full amount you need. That way, you can ascertain if the two materials will adhere together effectively. 
• Flexibility – In the world of seals and sealants, the flexibility of a product is often referred to as its ‘movement capability’, which is set as a percentage of the joint width. For example, a sealant with ±10% movement capability in a 25mm joint can stretch to 28mm or shrink to 23mm.
  
• Elasticity – This also has a technical term: ‘modulus of elasticity’. Generally – but not always – low-modulus sealants usually have high elasticity, while high-modulus sealants allow for less movement. You will need more elasticity on joints that move as opposed to static connections, for instance.
• Durability – Some materials and formulas are more robust than others. Silicones, for example, have a much longer expected lifespan than acrylics or butyls. Bear this in mind when choosing your sealant and where you’re using it.
  
• VOCs – Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are renowned for irritating the respiratory system. Solvents have naturally higher levels of VOCs but most manufacturers will keep these levels as low as possible. Check this out and consider any health concerns you might have.
• Price – Another inevitable consideration is cost and how much you’re able to spend. Our advice would be to invest in the best quality type of sealant you can afford for the best quality finish and longevity. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of application tools too.

Top tip: some sealants are known to stain surfaces, so make sure to double-check this before applying any product to your surfaces. Go for something that is colourless (transparent) for no risk of visible staining.

Shopping for seals and sealants online?

Now we’ve explained how important the function of sealant is in construction, it only makes perfect sense that you should be buying the highest possible quality products for the job. Not only will this mean less maintenance and repair in the long run but it will also protect the safety of those in the building – and ensure that your project is stable and long-lasting. 

Here at The Hosemaster, we stock a wide range of seals and sealants designed to suit a whole host of different tasks and applications. Not only do we strive to make our prices as fair as possible, but we also make sure you have speedy delivery options and 5-star-rated customer service. 

Hopefully you’re able to find everything you need on the website but if you’ve got any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for some further guidance.

Shop high-quality seals and sealants at The Hosemaster today

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