The Correct Way to Apply Sikaflex+ Sealants
For your next project, you’ve decided to go with a Sikaflex+ sealant. From windows, doors and walls to driveways, mortar joints and foundations, Sikaflex+ has all of your sealing needs covered. Now, how do you use the sealant you’ve chosen?
First, you’ll need to gather the correct materials. Make sure to have safety equipment such as protective glasses and gloves as well as procedural items such as a utility knife, caulking gun and sealant. To begin, make sure that all surfaces are clean, structurally sound, dry, and free from grease. Remove all dirt, oil, moisture and/or old sealant. You may need to widen a joint/crack using a chisel and hammer and use a wire brush to clean out the debris. Now that you have all the materials, prepped the site, and are ready to begin the application, use the utility knife to cut the tip of the nozzle at a 45° angle to the desired bead size. Then, puncture the seal inside of the nozzle and place the cartridge into a caulking gun. Hold the gun at a 45° angle and squeeze the gun handle to start the flow of sealant. Begin to gun the sealant in one continuous application to prevent any air entrapment. Tooling may be necessary to ensure full contact with the substrate and remove any air entrapment. Once done, clean up all tools, spills, and excess material with clean rags. If necessary, use a paint thinner or other approved solvent, such as acetone, following the solvent manufacturer’s precautions. For self-leveling and semi self-leveling sealants (Sikaflex+ Self-Leveling Sealant, Sikaflex Asphalt Sealant, Sikaflex+ Crack Flex Sealant), dam up open joints and DO NOT use on joints that are sloped.
NOTE: One 10 oz. cartridge will yield 24 linear feet of sealant in a 1/4” bead. One 9 oz. cartridge will yield approximately 21 linear feet. One 29 oz. cartridge yields 70 linear feet.
If the joint/crack exceeds the recommended coverage depth of the sealant (refer to the image below), use Sika Backer Rod to control. For moving joints, use a backer rod to avoid three-point bonding. To apply, carefully push the backer rod into the joint with a blunt tool and cut to the desired length. If necessary, use the blunt tool or roller to secure the backer rod into the joint. Joint width to depth ratio should be 2 to 1 with a minimum depth of 1/4” or a maximum depth of 1/2”. For best results, the diameter of the backer rod should be 1/4” larger than the width of the joint.
Find The Best Sealants with Sika PRO Select
If you’re looking for the best sealants and other specialty products for your next project, remember to choose Sika PRO Select, the brand trusted and used by professionals everywhere. From adhesives and sealants to concrete repair, insulation and much more, find us at your local hardware store or on Amazon.