How to use a can of polyurethane foam. Mounting foam without a gun, how to use, properties

From the article " Mounting foam: Pro tips" you have already learned how to choose a quality product. The only thing left is to use it correctly. In this article, we will help you choose a mounting gun, reveal techniques for economical use and remove foam residue from hands and clothing.

Despite the fact that mounting foam is in demand in the arrangement and repair, do not forget that this is far from a universal insulating material. It all depends on the size of the gaps and voids that need to be filled:

· Small cracks up to 1 cm are best eliminated with sealants or putties. They are more plastic and will not give side effect as a secondary extension.

· Holes more than 10 cm wide are recommended to be filled with static materials - bricks, wooden bars or insulation (for example, foam), and only then additionally treated with mounting foam.

· To isolate medium-sized cracks, it is optimal to use mounting foam - household or professional.

Polyurethane foam sealant (mounting foam) has excellent adhesion to the vast majority building materials, however, there are cases when it is useless: the foam will not stick to various types of polyethylene, Teflon, silicone, as well as to any greasy or dusty surfaces. These nuances must be taken into account in order to obtain effective insulation.

Foam with a straw - the threat of expansion

The main disadvantage of household foam with a straw is a significant secondary expansion. Hardening, it can increase several times, so it is extremely important to comply with all conditions of use.

Instructions for using household foam can be seen on the back of the cylinder, but we will consider it in more detail and step by step:

· Surface cleaning and preparation. Before applying the foam, it is necessary to carefully check all the cracks and holes for the presence of small debris and, if necessary, degrease the surface with acetone.

· Surface moistening. Mounting foam needs contact with moist air, therefore, before using the spray can, the surfaces must be moistened - an ordinary spray gun is quite suitable for this purpose.

· Preparing the foam bottle. A little trick - before using the foam, you need to hold it for several hours in water with a temperature of about 20 ° C - after this procedure, it will be better to lie down. Before starting work, shake the bottle for a minute so that all components are evenly mixed - this will ensure maximum foam output.

· Attaching a tube or gun to a cylinder. The tube is simply screwed onto the valve, but with a gun the situation is somewhat more complicated - we will consider the issue of its choice and use below.

Foam work. By right technology mounting foam is applied in small sections (about 10 cm) in the direction from the bottom up - this helps to avoid unnecessary spreading of the material. It is necessary to ensure that the gap is not filled by more than 50% - during hardening, the volume will increase greatly, which can lead to damage to the structure being processed. It is extremely important not to touch the uncured foam - any physical impact and violation of the structure worsens the solidification and negatively affects the volume and density.

It is necessary to ensure that the cylinder is always in the “upside down” position - this will ensure the most complete consumption of foam.

Difficult moments:

Problem when using	How to solve
Foam hole wider than 3cm	Mounting foam must be applied in several stages, waiting for the hardening of each of the layers. Before re-applying the foam, it is imperative to moisten the hardened base.
through slots	In no case should such holes be filled with foam from both sides - this can lead to severe deformation of the structure. Foam is used on one side only, back side usually filled with silicone sealant.
Installation of door and window frames	To reduce the pressure on the structures, the use of dowels and additional spacers is recommended (they are removed after hardening). Otherwise, the foam, expanding, can thoroughly warp the frames of doors and windows.

The container of household foam must be used completely, otherwise the composition will harden during storage and will be unusable. With professional foam, such problems do not arise, but there are some nuances.

Mounting gun: price or quality

A professional gun provides accurate and metered application of mounting foam, reusable use of the cylinder and accuracy when working. There are many modifications of such a tool, but the device diagram and the principle of operation are approximately the same:

· The tip of the gun - as a rule, its diameter is several times smaller than the diameter of the tube itself. This feature allows you to repeatedly increase the pressure at the exit of the foam, which, in turn, guarantees a good volume.

· Barrel (tube) - the channel through which the foam comes out. It can be one-piece or collapsible (two parts), which simplifies the care of the instrument.

· Adapter - an adapter for connection with the neck of the foam cylinder. In high-quality models, it is covered with Teflon.

· Adjusting unit - allows you to dose the foam output and its pressure.

· Mounting nut - with its help, the barrel is attached to the handle. This design allows the tube to be removed for cleaning or replacement.

· Trigger - serves to adjust the supply of mounting foam.

· Handle - made from various kinds plastic and metals. Aluminum handles are considered the most reliable and comfortable.

The principle of operation mounting gun simple mechanics is laid: after attaching to the cylinder, the foam passes through the supply valve into the barrel, where it remains until the trigger is pressed. Pulling the trigger opens the valve on the tip, releasing foam. The regulating mechanism allows you to control the amount of foam supply.

Since there is nothing superfluous in the design of the pistol, choosing such a tool is quite simple. There are only a few factors to consider:

The quality of the materials from which the gun is made. It is better if it is completely made of hard metals. There are high-quality plastic models, but this is a rarity.

Detachable Design: Monolithic guns are cheaper, but the price of a demountable tool will pay for itself many times over with cleaning and replacement of parts.

Working pressure in the gun. This characteristic cannot be checked in the store, but there is a little trick. When buying a gun, immediately purchase a can of cleaner (it contains acetone). At home, you need to screw the gun onto a bottle of cleaning fluid, press the trigger to let it in, then remove it and leave it for a couple of days. If, after this time, acetone shoots when the trigger is pressed, the pressure is normal. If not, you can return the defective product to the store, acetone does not leave any marks on the surface of the barrel.

Gun foam - professional use for beginners

With the right gun and accessories (foam remover/cleaner and petroleum jelly) selected, you can get to work.

Initial installation of the gun

To install the gun, it is necessary to unscrew the fixing screw to the stop, lubricate the socket with technical vaseline and fix the cylinder. It is important to ensure that the adjusting unit is at the minimum foam flow rate. Then the cylinder is turned over to the working position (upside down) and the supply of the composition is regulated - a couple of test clicks are made to release excess air and check the pressure.

The rules for applying foam remain the same: in small strips from bottom to top. However, professional foam has practically no secondary expansion, which greatly simplifies the calculation of the required volume. The main thing is to ensure that the cylinder is not in a horizontal position, both during use and during breaks.

Foam bottle replacement

Before placing a new cylinder or putting the gun into storage, all surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of residues. old foam. For this purpose, a cleaner (wash) is used:

· to release pressure, pull the trigger of the gun;

· attach the bottle with the cleaner to the gun;

· turning the balloon over, press the trigger for 10 seconds;

· repeat several times until clear liquid comes out of the tube;

· lubricate the parts of the gun with technical vaseline.

When storing the mounting gun, it is necessary to repeat the lubrication procedure approximately once every one and a half to two months.

When working with foam, it is important to consider such points as its chemical composition and increased adhesion to different surfaces. Therefore, it is extremely important to use protective equipment - a work suit and gloves.

We cover our tracks

Mounting foam is one of the most difficult materials to remove: if it has already got on fabric, leather or other surfaces, it is quite difficult to clean them. But it's worth a try.

Surface	fresh foam	hardened foam
Hand skin	Carefully removed with a sponge, the remains are removed with improvised means - scrub, acetone, thinner, gasoline, saturated saline	Removed only mechanically. Usually loses its properties and falls off after 2-3 days
Textile	It is collected with a stick, the residues are removed with a cleaner. Important! When processing the fabric, stains may remain!	Large pieces are cut off whenever possible, and the remains are treated with a special solvent to hardened foam, white spirit or gasoline. Stained spots are removed with stain removers.
PVC (frames, window sills)	Carefully removed, the surface is wiped with a special cleaner for PVC	Carefully cut off, the surface is wiped with a special cleaner for PVC (usually marked - for installing windows)
Floor covering (linoleum, laminate, parquet)	Remove the foam with a spatula, collect the rest with a sponge moistened with a cleaner. Spots may appear! FROM wooden surfaces they are removed by grinding, while varnished coatings cannot be cleaned off - they will have to be replaced.	After cutting off the foam, the residues are carefully dissolved with a special cleaner or Dimexide preparation (sold in pharmacies). It is necessary to work with such substances with gloves - potent components can cause burns!

As you already know, mounting foam is not designed to seal holes smaller than 1 cm - it is better to fill such gaps with silicone sealants.

Alexander Birzhin, rmnt.ru

http://www.rmnt.ru/ - site RMNT.ru

IN living conditions the need for special tools does not always arise. If suddenly it was necessary to repair the seal or insulation on small area, and there is no foam gun at hand, you can try to do without it. This will help you avoid unnecessary expenses. However, you should first find out how mounting foam behaves without a gun and how to use it correctly.

There are two classes of mounting foam:

• domestic;
• professional.

By technical specifications both types of materials are similar, however, differences still exist. First of all, it should be noted the volume of the cylinders. So, household foam is usually offered in small quantities (up to 800 ml). The kit includes a small piece of tubing with a small cross section. The pressure level in the tank is relatively low. This allows you to reduce material consumption in cases where you plan to use a foam bottle without a gun.

Professional material can be bought in volumes from 1.5 liters, in addition, it is used for large-scale tasks: sealing window and doorways, sealing large gaps. The foam is contained under high pressure, so it is very difficult to apply it correctly without a gun. There is one more nuance. So, the outlet of a professional cylinder is equipped with a fastener: a threaded cap (bayonet). At this point, the gun is installed.

Subtleties of application

First you need to determine what type of material to use: household, professional foam. If you plan to process a large area, you need to take into account the volume of the cylinder. Household-class products from some manufacturers are sometimes of poorer quality than their professional counterparts. For this reason, for more serious tasks, it is better to choose the latter option. Possible ways application of foam without a gun:

• Professional grade material is used, for which the tube is used. You should be prepared for the fact that under high pressure the foam will come out in excess.
• Use household material, fixing a tube on the valve, which is equipped with a balloon.
• Professional foam is used by attaching two tubes different section: at first larger, then a tube of smaller diameter is inserted into it and well fixed. This will reduce material consumption.

Preparation for work

The site to be processed must be put in order. Having figured out how to work with mounting foam without a gun, perform simple manipulations:

1. Remove any dirt: dust, dirt. If the gap is quite large, it is pre-filled with foam, which will provide improved thermal insulation qualities in this area and will reduce foam consumption. Using a material such as foam, it is recommended to seal gaps no more than 8 cm in width.
2. The site is moistened with water, for which it is better to use a spray gun, then the surface will be moistened evenly.
3. Control conditions environment. Work is best done at an air temperature of +5 to +20 degrees. The maximum upper limit is +30 degrees. But in cold conditions, another type of mounting foam is used - frost-resistant.

The procedure must be carried out in protective equipment. Gloves and goggles are usually sufficient.

Tip: If the material contains toluene, you should also wear a respirator.

Instructions for applying foam without a gun

The principle of work is similar to that when using special tool. If mounting foam will be used without a gun, how to properly use the tube that comes with the kit? Step-by-step instruction:

It takes an average of 8 hours to fully cure the foam. Do not worry if, after this period of time, swelling appears on the treated area. They can be cut with a clerical or ordinary sharp knife.

Tip: After drying and removing excess foam, be sure to cover it with putty or other material, otherwise the composition will gradually collapse under the influence of sunlight.

Disadvantages of the foam application process without a gun

When deciding which method to choose, you need to consider both positive and negative points in each of the cases. Of course, the use of a specialized tool greatly simplifies the task. But the process of sealing with a tube without a gun has its drawbacks:

• Large consumption of material. It is necessary to control the intensity and duration of pressing the valve. And still, significant pressure contributes to the appearance of an excess amount of foam. As a result, 2-3 times more material is required per area, while professional foam is consumed less intensively. This factor determines the financial costs - they increase.
• If you plan to use professional foam, you need to remember that it will not always be possible to install a tube. Simply the balloon will not give out foam.
• Waste of time. It will take more time to hold the flexible tube in the correct position, and with it the cylinder valve. In addition, you need to remember the need to constantly monitor the amount of foam that appears at the exit. If the use of a gun makes it possible to complete the sealing in 10-15 seconds, self processing without a specialized tool will take about 15 minutes.

There is one more nuance. So, disposable mounting foam should be purchased in the right amount, which will avoid unnecessary expenses, otherwise the rest of the material will simply be thrown away. For this reason, it is sometimes easier to buy a small volume can and fill the gaps with foam using the tube that comes with the kit.

Polyurethane mounting foam can act as a sealant and heat-insulating material. It can be used when installing various window and door structures, during repair work different type. With its help, the tightness of structures is restored, cracks and joints are closed.

Mounting foam is sold in aerosol cans, which must be shaken before use. Immediately after application, the substance begins to harden, as a result of which it turns into a yellowish material. The material is light, has good thermal and sound insulation characteristics. Depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, the foam can be used indoors and outdoors.

Ordinary polyurethane foam has a number of positive characteristics:

• Resistance to moisture, providing heat-insulating and sound-proofing properties.
• The possibility of using sealant in the construction of electrical equipment due to low current conductivity.
• Resistance to fire (special fire-fighting types of mounting foam).
• A significant increase in volume immediately after exiting the can, filling remote microcracks located in hard-to-reach places.
• Ability to bond various homogeneous and dissimilar materials.
• Environmental friendliness, no toxic substances in the composition, chemical inertness.

Before using polyurethane mounting foam and applying it to surfaces, it is recommended to check its performance characteristics on the packaging. Typically, the packaging indicates the volume of the substance after leaving the cylinder, the level of viscosity and other characteristics.

Release form

Manufacturers produce mounting foam in different forms and types. The choice will depend on the intended use and operating conditions of the sealant.

It is customary to distinguish:

• Professional polyurethane foam, which is made in special large cylinders that must be inserted into the gun to spray the substance. With the help of a gun, an economical consumption of sealant is ensured. Used by builders when carrying out a large amount of work.

• Household mounting foam, which is produced with a tube (with its help, slots, joints, gaps are usually foamed). Designed for domestic use for minor repairs and gluing surfaces.

Also on the can of polyurethane foam, the recommended temperature regime use of sealant. There are summer, winter and universal (all-weather) polyurethane foam. When buying, it is recommended to pay attention to the combustibility class of the material (B1 - fire-resistant materials, B2 - self-extinguishing materials, B3 - combustible materials).

Scope of application of polyurethane foam

Conventional foam cylinders, which are sold in hardware stores, are used in the installation of door and window structures, as well as in the installation of electrical equipment and pipes.

The sealant is at the correct level. thermal insulation characteristics so that it can be used to close gaps and cracks in heating systems, defects in the roof threshold, as well as provide partial insulation of ceiling, floor, wall structures and ceilings. It is also often used to fix Wall panels and polymer plates on the rough surface, which allows for a decorative and waterproofing function.

Polyurethane foam is used to treat the outer surfaces of metal baths (made of steel or cast iron), which makes it possible to reduce the heat transfer of the metal.

If we talk about how to properly use polyurethane mounting foam and how to work with it, then you need to clarify whether a gun is used or not. If it is planned to carry out a full-fledged repair in the house, then you will have to use both professional and household mounting foam for foaming joints, seams, gaps, installing windows and doors.

You can install a gun on a professional sealant as follows:

1. First, the container with the substance needs to be warmed up a little in warm water to 20-25 degrees. Then it needs to be shaken several times so that the substance becomes as homogeneous as possible, leaves the can smoothly and easily.
2. At the top of the gun, you need to remove the protective cover, then turn it with the handle down and twist the sealant can. You need to screw it in until a characteristic hiss appears, which will indicate the beginning of the substance entering the gun.
3. If the gun is not new and has already been used, then it is necessary to inspect it before screwing in the can so that it is well washed. If after screwing in the hiss does not appear, then the gun is dirty and you need to buy a new one.
4. Before starting work with mounting foam, according to the rules, the gun with the cylinder must be shaken again, turn the adjusting screw ¼ turn and, holding the trigger, start processing.

To work with a pistol, there is no need to have any skills and abilities in the field of construction and installation work. Work is usually performed in the following sequence:

1. The first step is to clean the surface where the sealant will be applied from contamination, and then moisten with water from a spray bottle to ensure good adhesion.

4. If the surface to be treated is wide, fill it with zigzag movements, but not more than 1/3 of the volume, because the mounting foam will increase in size.

5. If there are any untreated areas left, they can be filled in later.

If it is necessary to perform treatment in remote areas, it is recommended to additionally purchase a special extension hose, since foaming hard-to-reach places mounting foam without its use is unlikely to succeed.

The can usually indicates how long it takes for the composition to harden. Despite the instructions, it is recommended to wait 10-12 hours. Once the sealant has completely hardened, you can remove the excess with a knife or saw.

When operating a household sealant, a gun is not provided. It's okay if the mounting foam is without a gun, since you can use it with a tube. The tube is made of polymer materials - you just need to put it on the adapter. The work is carried out in the same sequence as in the case of a gun, but when using a tube, more effort will have to be applied.

You can easily use mounting foam without a gun if there is an appropriate tube. But in hardware stores, sealant can be sold without a tube (cheap models), so you will have to buy it separately. Special attention should also be paid to this when choosing a suitable mounting foam.

The use of a tube is relevant if a small amount of work is expected to be performed. It is recommended to use mounting foam with a tube if you need to fill joints, gaps, seams, glue various materials. Household sealant is rarely used in the construction of door and window structures, in surface treatment large area. For thermal insulation and sound insulation, you should also choose professional counterparts.

On the video: Using mounting foam without a gun.

Cons of applying mounting foam without using a gun

The use of a gun when applying sealant is a guarantee of a uniform exit of the material from the cylinder, the possibility of saving substance, full control over the surface treatment.

If ordinary household polyurethane foam is used in a package with a tube, then the workflow will have certain disadvantages. The most notable of these are:

1. Significant consumption of sealant. Overflow occurs because the user must exercise control over the intensity and duration of pressing the valve. It is rather difficult to do this for a long time, therefore, almost always, when processing with a tube, an excess volume of mounting foam appears, which leads to significant overspending. Professional sealant using a gun is usually consumed 1.5-2 times slower. This leads to small but noticeable financial costs (especially if a large number of works are supposed to be carried out).
2. If a professional sealant was purchased, then it is highly likely that using a regular tube that is suitable for household mounting foam will not work with a high degree of probability. The can simply won't dispense sealant. This point must be clarified at the time of purchase of the material.
3. Using mounting foam without a gun is much more difficult than with one. Tubes are made from polymer material, therefore, are flexible - they are more difficult to keep in the desired position for a longer period than a pistol.

At the same time, it makes no sense to purchase a professional mounting foam, a gun for applying it, if it is supposed to carry out minor repairs: fill in the gaps, close the joints and cracks between the plates, in thermal insulation material. In this case, you need to buy a household sealant with a tube, use it once and throw it away.

For home and household repairs, one spray can of polyurethane foam is enough. If all work has been completed, then the cylinder is usually thrown away as unnecessary, because after opening the substance has a limited shelf life.

Manufacturers of household mounting foam note that their products are designed for single use. Therefore, if a few months after the first use, the sealant in the cylinder froze, you need to understand that this is a completely natural process.

You can give the following advice to those people who work with mounting foam for the first time:

1. Before starting work, it is recommended to pre-prepare a spray bottle with water and a knife to remove excess sealant (this is done after the applied composition has solidified).
2. It is also recommended to stock up in advance with a regular sponge and acetone (or a similar solvent). They will be required if it will be necessary to wipe off the sealant that accidentally got on other surfaces (for example, on the floor or on clothes).
3. Do not try to remove excess mounting foam immediately after application - this must be done approximately 8-10 hours after treatment. During this period, the sealant will harden, so it can be easily cut with a sharp knife or hacksaw.
4. If wallpapering was not carried out in the room, then it is strongly recommended to carry out work on applying mounting foam (regardless of the volume of sprayed material), systematically ventilating the room.
5. If during the application process the sealant begins to gradually darken, this will indicate that the substance is under the influence of ultraviolet (direct sunlight). This should be avoided during work.
6. It is strictly forbidden to treat surfaces with mounting foam if they are located in close proximity to open flames or hot objects. Regardless of the type, the sealant almost always contains flammable substances in its composition, which, in an uncured state, are quite capable of flaring up if they are suddenly exposed to an open flame.
7. Before starting work, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface to be treated. If it is dirty and greasy, then the mounting foam will not meet the characteristics indicated on the package during operation.

Can I use a can of polyurethane foam several times?

On the Internet, you can find information that professional polyurethane foam can be used repeatedly, while household models are only suitable for one-time use.

This is a common misconception, because if household foam is used, then after applying it, you can clean the nozzle, remove the tube and block the outlet of the substance. To be able to use the sealant again, it is recommended to do everything in the following sequence:

1. It is necessary to release the mounting foam a little from the can, and, allowing it to come out, bend and tighten the tube with a metal wire. At the end of the tube, the sealant will begin to harden, but the presence of a fold will not allow the entire volume of the substance that remains in the cylinder to solidify.
2. During the subsequent application of mounting foam, you just need to cut off a part of the tube with a hardened substance and continue sealing the gaps and seams.

It should be noted that it is possible to store a cylinder with sealant in this way for 2-3 weeks and no more. After several months of storage, the substance will almost completely harden and harden inside the package, so it will not be possible to use it again.

Can I use expired mounting foam?

Regardless of the type of sealant chosen, the shelf life of the substance usually does not exceed 1-1.5 years from the date of production. At the same time, if during its use a delay of several days or weeks was detected, then you should not turn off the work - most likely, the mounting foam has not lost its main working and operational characteristics.

If the expiration date is significantly exceeded, it is strongly not recommended to use the sealant even for minor household repairs (especially for installing windows or doors). This is due to the fact that at the end of the expiration date, the sealant begins to rapidly lose its basic properties, so anything can happen when you open the package.

Terms of use of polyurethane foam after application

Leading manufacturers of sealants claim that high-quality mounting foam, which was applied to the surface in accordance with all the rules, has protection from ultraviolet exposure and moisture, is able to perform all its functions for 10-20 years.

If the applied substance is in negative operating conditions: outdoors, under direct sunlight, rain, snow, etc., then the service life of the sealant is reduced to 2-3 years (even in cases where moisture-resistant compounds were applied).

Conclusion

Professional and household polyurethane foam - both materials have the right to exist, because they usually have different areas and features of use. For a small home renovation household models with a tube for applying a substance are quite suitable, and for bulk work it is best to buy professional sealants and a gun. The presence of construction and installation skills for surface treatment with foam from a tube or gun is not required.

Polyurethane-based mounting foam is indispensable for sealing cracks, holes, joints, heat and noise insulation, as well as for gluing various surfaces. It is not suitable for polypropylene, polyethylene, Teflon, silicone and wax surfaces. To understand how to use mounting foam, it is enough to learn the rules.

Assortment to choose from

Two types of polyurethane foam - semi-professional (household) and professional (pistol). Depending on the temperature conditions, they select winter, summer or off-season.

For a small amount of simple work, a relatively cheap household one is suitable. It is sold together with a plastic tube, the output volume is smaller and is intended for single use, since after opening the container, its contents dry up within a day.

household

A more expensive professional mounting mixture is sold complete with a special gun. It is designed for multiple use and precisely regulates the amount of sealant applied.

Sealant with gun

Quality pistols are made of metal and fully collapsible. Turning the adjusting screw located on the handle clockwise reduces the thickness of the supplied jet, counterclockwise increases it.

The device of a special gun for polyurethane foam

This point is important because optimum diameter one applied layer after hardening is in the region of 3 cm. If a larger space is filled, then the sealant is applied in two or three layers with breaks for drying of each of the applied layers.

Take into account the fact that a professional sealant shrinks less than a household one. .

Preparatory stage

In order to use assembly sealant had an effect preliminary training, which includes the following:

• Surfaces must be cleaned of dust and debris before applying the sealant. If necessary, degrease with acetone or solvent.
• For good interaction of the sealant with the surface, the latter is abundantly moistened, but at the same time it is ensured that no drops of moisture form on the treated surface.
• The temperature of the cylinder is adapted to the temperature of the room in which the finishing is carried out. To speed up this process, if the cylinder is brought from the cold, place it in warm water for an hour and a half.
• Before use, the container is vigorously shaken 20-30 times in order to mix the components of the sealant. Then remove the protective cap and screw the tube to it, and if it is a professional compound, screw the cylinder to the gun. Make sure that at the time of installation, the tube or nozzle of the gun is not directed towards people nearby.
• Put on a work suit, protective gloves and goggles.

Preparation for work with polyurethane foam

When working with a professional composition that is used complete with a gun, before proceeding with sealing, the flow of sealant is regulated. The jet is regulated during use by changing the pressure on the cap at the base of the tube.

Hardening occurs at temperatures from +5 to +35°C, air humidity of at least 60%. When working in the cold or in a dry space, hardening occurs when special additives are present in the composition. In this case, the sealant will harden at an air temperature of -10, or in conditions where the humidity of the air reaches only 35%.

Rules and techniques for working with foam

To understand how to use foam correctly, you need to remember the rules.

Mounting foam is applied with measured smooth movements from left to right and from bottom to top. The openings are not completely filled, but about half or one third, depending on the degree of shrinkage.

The length of one applied strip does not exceed 10 centimeters. During operation, the cylinder is held vertically with the bottom up. In the case when they perform work on the ceiling, which causes difficulty in complying with the last rule, they buy special compound that works in any position. Another solution to this problem is to extend the nozzle of the gun or the main tube with flexible tubes so that the inverted cylinder does not rest against the ceiling during operation. If necessary, it is better to start work from the ceiling, since the pressure in the cylinder is as high as possible.

Sealing gaps with a gun

Mounting foam, when hardened, begins to exert pressure on adjacent surfaces, which causes their deformation. Therefore, if it is necessary to fill the gaps on both sides, as when installing doors, windows, the mounting mixture is used on one side. On the other hand, the gap is filled with a silicone compound.

At the time of applying the mounting foam to the treated surfaces, make sure that the tip of the tube or gun is constantly inside the foam itself. Periodically remove material adhering to the gun nozzle with a cloth soaked in acetone or solvent. With a long period of work, the cylinder is periodically shaken. For processing deep seams, extension adapters are used.

Shutdown

It is important not only to know how to use mounting foam, but also how to properly complete such work. Wait for the complete curing of the sealant. This usually happens within 6-12 hours. At the same time, it is undesirable to touch the mounting mixture, as this will disrupt the structure of the material. After that, the extra formations are carefully cut off with a sharp knife or a hacksaw for metal.

Removal of excess foam formations with a sharp knife

Although cured polyurethane foam withstands temperature fluctuations from -40 to +90°C, it is sensitive to UV radiation. To neutralize this factor, the excess that is under such influence is covered with a layer of plaster, covered with cement mortar, painted or sewn up with platbands.

The video shows the stages of working with foam and how the gun is cleaned:

After using professional foam, clean the gun inside and out. To do this, a special flushing fluid is purchased with the gun. The remains of the material that got on the hands are washed off with a solvent. It is better to remove the remaining foam from the surfaces immediately with a sponge dipped in a solvent or acetone. If the foam has already hardened, it is removed mechanically.

When applying these simple rules, self-sealing all kinds of seams and cracks, isolating the distribution network and other things will not be difficult even for someone who has never done this before.

Such sealing is effective for spaces from 1 to 8 cm, no more. Smaller gaps are sealed with ordinary putty, and for larger ones, additional static materials are laid inside the empty space - foam, wooden bars or brick.

In contact with

The question of how to use mounting foam, sooner or later, may become relevant for you. First of all, such a moment is brewing if you started repairing an old one or building a new one. It is during this period of time that most often there is a real need to close up joints and cracks. And they are best dealt with - yes, that's right, polyurethane foam.

This sealing agent is one of the most sought after available. different types sealants. It is the foam that will allow you to process high-quality seams and various joints, whose width is more than three centimeters. The material that is so necessary in everyday life is sold in metal aerosol spray cans, it has a rather small weight, but, despite this, its concentration is very high. So, from one balloon, over 40 liters of foam are obtained for puttying joints and cracks. Using the video tutorials, you can learn how to properly use the foam assistant for installation work in your home and not have problems with drafts.

When starting to work with this substance, remember that it hardens very quickly under the influence of moisture and at the same time greatly increases in volume after using the can. The formed porous substance has excellent heat-insulating properties. Along with this, given the possibility of a long service life of this material, it is clear why mounting foam is recognized indispensable assistant in construction and renovation. It is the mounting foam that will allow you to seal the seams, glue certain structural details, successfully fix the joints and, importantly, provide these places with heat and sound insulation.

Such a miracle solution is divided into several types - there are semi-professional and professional (pistol), it happens in winter, summer and for all seasons. It was no coincidence that such a convenient design was invented - it is easy to displace mounting foam from cylinders with the help of special gas. So liquid polymer on the surface to be coated successfully hardens and forms a rigid frame (polyurethane foam).

So, it makes sense to choose miracle foam in the store for its main properties - thermal insulation, sound insulation, ease of installation, the ability to connect, fasten and glue various parts. At the same time, given the ability to expand, the mounting foam successfully fills hard-to-reach joints and seams, and when it hardens itself, it does not require special attention further. Previously, only foam could be replaced in this field cement mortar, but its preparation is a more time-consuming process than working with aerosol can. Therefore, choosing convenience and simplicity, many prefer polyurethane foam. Moreover, it is successfully combined in work with stone, and with concrete, and with wood, and with metal, and with plaster, and glass.

Using mounting foam is not a laborious process at all. It's convenient and simple. However, you need to know certain details in order not to screw up.

First, installation work is best done in warm time of the year. From mid-spring to mid-autumn. Optimum temperature outside the window for such manipulations - from plus 5 to plus 30 degrees. Experts guarantee that it is in this case that the curing process occurs best. If you are so eager to do something like this in winter time- for this there are seasonal winter foams.

Secondly, do not work with this substance without gloves. This is often overlooked by workers. However, such connivance is quite dangerous.

Third, don't try to use the substance wherever you please. If you are going to seal a gap from 1 to 8 cm wide, the use of foam is allowed and encouraged. But if the size of the gap is much larger, then it is better to take materials such as wood or plastic, you can brick or foam. And if at all less than a centimeter - you can get by with putty. And do not forget - after sealing your cracks, you need to cut off excess foam (it is not recommended to tear it off with your hands).

Fourth, before using the foam, it is desirable to treat the hollow space with water. Then, with the appropriate air humidity, the process of expansion and solidification of the foam will be much faster and more correct. Air humidity for polymerization is sufficient in the range of 60–80 percent.

Fifth, the foam can must be shaken well before use. And this should be done not for a couple of seconds, but for about a minute. This time will be enough for the contents in the balloon to become a completely homogeneous mass.

So, the can is in your hands. You have previously shaken the mixture and now you can remove the cap. After screwing the existing installed tubing onto the adapter, the cylinder should be turned upside down. This is how it is used during installation work. This nuance is important due to the fact that the gas that displaces the mounting foam is much lighter than the rest of the components, and when the cylinder is upside down, all the components of the mixture mix better.

Now you can safely apply the foam. Given the fact that it increases in volume, it is necessary to close the gaps by no more than a third. The volume will increase by 2-3 times over a short period of time, and then you can cut off the excess (it is better to do this with a sharp knife with a long handle). If you need to apply the foam not horizontally, but vertically, then you should fill it from the bottom up - it’s more convenient for you and the foam (a base will appear for which the sealant that has not yet hardened can be fixed).

It will be necessary to sprinkle with water not only cracks, but also foam after application. So the freezing process will be faster. If you see that the foam is not enough for you, wait about half an hour for the previous layer to harden, and you can add a little foam to the same areas. However, do not overdo it - you still do not need too much.

The applied layer of foam at a time should not exceed three to four centimeters, and if the gap or cavity is still larger, then the foam is applied sequentially in layers - one after the other.

After application, the foam will finally harden after 8 hours. So do not try to start subsequent work (rearrange furniture, glue wallpaper, nail shelves) in this area immediately. Moreover, after drying and removing the excess, the joints must be treated with a protective material (it is better to do this with putty, plaster, paint or cement). Can be used as a protective layer and special silicone sealant. A polyurethane sealing tape will also help for these purposes. This will not only protect the mounting foam from exposure to ultraviolet rays, but also increase the service life. After processing, it is already possible to use and, as well as move further in the realization of your fantasies.

Your foam should be elastic and adhere well to the surface. The fact that after shrinkage, having frozen completely, it will not crumble will also speak about its quality. Do not add additional work to yourself - it is impossible to touch and process the mounting foam until the final hardening, so as not to change the very structure of the material and not interfere with the polymerization process.

If the material meets the existing standards, then you will be satisfied with the quality. This means that you do not need to redo the work done. Just be aware different manufacturers offer spray cans with different volumes of foam output. Sometimes it's cheaper to buy an expensive can of aerosol that will last all your joints than it is to buy two cheaper ones.

When buying polyurethane foam, remember that the balloon is designed for one-time use only. So don't try to divide by two. Calculating the volume is not difficult if you have already had experience with similar material. If not, it is better to consult with those who work in the construction industry or with the seller in the store. Reusing the same balloon is allowed only if you are going to "repeat the maneuver" in the near future. Then, at the end of the first stage of work, you need to rinse the tube itself (gun) and the valve with a special cleaning liquid. However, workers at the sites often do not do this.

Useful tips and secrets of working with the material:

• Prepare a water sprayer and a pruning knife in advance.
• It’s good if you have a soft sponge and acetone at hand - they help to scrub off the foam that has stuck in unnecessary places.
• If you use mounting foam economically, you can get by with fewer cans.
• It is better to carry out surface treatment (cutting with a knife) after applying the foam after about 4 hours have passed - after 7-8 hours the foam will harden completely and it will be much more difficult to cope with it.
• Use a respirator (protect your body from unnecessary chemical substances). It would be great if they also have glasses and gloves.
• Ventilate the room (unless, of course, you just decided to do it in the same room).
• Do not wait until the foam darkens - a change in color is already an indicator that a reaction is underway and the process of exposure to ultraviolet rays (initially it is light yellow in color).
• Do not use the cylinder near the fire and do not leave it in direct sunlight (this is a familiar rule to everyone, however, many do not follow it and run the risk of facing the consequences of a fire and the firemen who have arrived in the future). Indeed, the composition of this polyurethane foam sealant includes various flammable materials that can lead to undesirable consequences. Your foam can belong to one of three classes - fire-fighting, self-extinguishing or combustible (it is better to find out in advance).
• Problems can also arise if the foam is applied to a dirty surface (for example, window frames when using such materials, clean with a vacuum cleaner).

The viscosity of the product may not meet the standards if the foam bottle was at temperatures below plus 5. The required consistency will be violated even if the air temperature rises to 30–35 degrees (only all-weather foam can work at temperatures from minus 10 to plus 40 degrees) .

So if you have taken into account all the tips and secrets listed here, you can safely start sealing window, door blocks or other structures in the rooms of a house or apartment with mounting foam. Also, with the help of this material, it will be easier for you to cope with the insulation of the distribution network and with sealing. different widths seams and cracks, and besides, your assistant - foam will help you easily and simply fill unnecessary voids in the walls. So keep it up and good luck with your renovation!