Features of working with mounting foam in cans. How to work with polyurethane foam - video demonstration of the process. Foam for home use

Mounting foam- 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 if possible, and the remains are treated with a special solvent for 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! WITH 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

From the article "Mounting foam: professional advice" 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 the techniques economical use and removing 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 - brick, wooden blocks or heaters (for example, foam), and only then additionally process 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 of building materials, but 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. For hardening, the 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 the foam 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 of various types of plastic and metals. Aluminum handles are considered the most reliable and comfortable.

The principle of action mounting gun put simple mechanics: 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 solid 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 on minimum flow foam. 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 if possible, and the remains are treated with a special solvent for 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! They are removed from wooden surfaces 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 intended for sealing 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

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 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 approximate, under 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 (working with polyurethane 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.

In hardware stores, most products are single-component formulations. Two-component are usually used only in 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. More convenient option than spraying with a tube, 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 from these 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 desirable to cover them plastic wrap, rags or newspapers.

At present, practically, with any type of construction or repair work mounting foam is widely used. This comfortable material widely used in the arrangement of door and window openings, installation of plumbing fixtures, sealing window sills and in the case of other similar manipulations.

In addition, a universal sealant is often used in the manufacture of heat-insulating panels, it is filled different kind cavities and cracks building structures. The main advantage of this building material is the versatility of application. Using it is easy and convenient.

Foam, gun and cleaner - the main attributes of working with polyurethane foam

What is mounting foam

This sealing material comes in household and professional varieties. Their performance characteristics comparable, the main differences are in the volume of containers in which one or another type of packaging is packaged. Household foam is produced in cylinders with a capacity of up to eight hundred milliliters, equipped with a small section tube. The internal pressure does not reach large values, this helps to reduce the consumption of the active substance even when using a can without special devices.

Professional foam is labeled accordingly

Sealant for professional use is available in cylinders with a capacity of one and a half liters and is designed to perform large-scale work on sealing doors, windows, filling large cavities, and so on. The pressure inside the container is very high, so it is difficult to apply the material correctly without special tools. The exit opening of the professional capper is supplied with a mount for installing a pistol sprayer.

Preparation for applying the material

The elements to be processed must be prepared before applying the mounting foam. To do this, perform the following manipulations:

The surface is thoroughly cleaned of building dirt and degreased. If the width of the cavity exceeds eight centimeters, it is recommended to fill it with foam to reduce the consumption of mounting foam and improve the heat-insulating properties.
The treated area is moistened. To do this, it is better to use a spray, then the surface will be wetted evenly.
Temperature tracked environment. Foam can be applied in the range of positive temperatures from five to twenty degrees Celsius. The upper limit is thirty degrees. In frost, a material resistant to impact is used. low temperatures.

Winter foam designed to work at low temperatures

When working, you must comply with safety requirements. All manipulations are performed with goggles and gloves. The respirator is used in the presence of toluene in the composition of the active substance.

Working with a can with a straw

You can work without a gun as follows. Shake the foam can vigorously before starting. Then the tubing included in the kit is screwed onto the adapter, and the container is turned upside down. This is done due to the fact that the displacing gas is much lighter than the active substance, and with this position of the cylinder, all the components of the material are better mixed and exit the container.

Rules for applying foam with a straw

When applying foam, it must be taken into account that the material increases significantly in volume during solidification, and therefore the cavity should be filled no more than a third of its depth. The resulting excess can always be cut off with a long sharp knife.

It is necessary to moisten with water not only the surface to be treated, but also the sealant itself, so it will set faster.

The thickness of the applied material should not exceed four centimeters. Before continuing work, it is necessary to wait about thirty minutes for the previous layer to harden. Final curing will occur after eight hours. It must be admitted that using mounting foam without a gun is not always convenient. The following video will help resolve the remaining questions.

Benefits of using gun foam

The use of pistol foam compared to the use of household cans has several advantages. The main one is the precisely adjusted amount of sealing material supplied to the treated surface. In addition, quite long breaks in work are possible. The mounting foam in the pistol device does not harden much longer than in a can with a straw.

Pistol foam is easier to work with

The long barrel of the gun allows processing hard-to-reach places, the flow of foam through the nozzle is much smoother than through a plastic tube. This is very important when layer-by-layer filling of large cavities and, if necessary, vertical application of sealant.

The plasticity indicators of professional foam are better than those of household foam, due to this and a more accurate dosage, the material is consumed more economically.

The productivity of labor with the use of a gun is greatly increased. This is especially important when performing large-scale construction work.

How the gun works

The foam gun is quite simple to set up. Main constituent parts his designs are:

Threaded or snap-on mounting on containers with polyurethane foam. It has a valve with a pin.
Foam opening mechanism. It is made in curd form.
Material supply control device. It is made in the form of a screw.
outlet tube. Through it, foam is supplied.
Pistol grip. It should fit comfortably in your hand.

The quality of the gun determines the ease of use

The more metal parts in a pistol, the more reliable it is to use. In particular, this applies to the details of its design, which are subjected to the greatest operational loads.

Preparation and replacement of the cartridge, installation of the gun

Before you install the can on the gun, the material must be prepared. To do this, the following procedures are performed:

The container is heated in water to the operating temperature and vigorously shaken to bring the active substance to a homogeneous consistency. This is done for a uniform output of the material.
The pistol device is located down with the handle, the cylinder is wound or snapped on top with a previously removed protective cap. A hissing sound indicates the beginning of the foam exit process.
With the adjustment screw, when the trigger mechanism is pressed, foam of normal density is achieved. The first portions are sent to a plastic bag to bleed excess air from the system.

Even with a small amount of work, it is difficult to do without a foam cleaner

Before replacing the cylinder, the design details of the pistol device must be cleaned of contaminants. For this, the following manipulations are performed:

the trigger mechanism is pressed to relieve excess pressure in the system;
a container with a cleaning solution is installed on the pistol device;
several times for about ten seconds, washing is carried out until a clear solution comes out;
structural elements are lubricated.

Rules for working with gun foam

Pistol foam is applied to the treated surfaces evenly in the direction from the left to the right or vertically from the bottom to the top. The cavity is filled by half or a third of the volume in accordance with the coefficient of expansion of the material. If it is necessary to seal the seams on the ceiling, the barrel of the gun is extended with a flexible tube so that the cartridge is placed under the ceiling. The length of the applied layer should not exceed ten, and the thickness - four centimeters. The next layer is applied after the initial hardening of the previous one.

When grouting ceilings, the benefits of using a gun are even more noticeable

Pistol foam expands as it cures and presses on adjacent planes, which can cause them to deform. As a result, if there is a need to fill through gaps, mounting foam is poured only on one side, and on the opposite side, a different sealant is used, most often based on silicone.

In the process of performing work, it is necessary to ensure that the end of the gun barrel is always placed inside the applied layer of sealing material. The cured foam is cleaned with a rag moistened with acetone or other solvent. A specially selected video clearly demonstrates the described process.

Curing time and seams

Complete curing of the mounting foam occurs eight hours after its application. All this time, it is not necessary to exert a mechanical effect on its surface, since the internal structure of the sealing material may undergo undesirable changes. After this time, the excess mounting foam is cut off with a sharply sharpened cutting tool or a hacksaw for metal. If this is done prematurely, the quality of the seam itself may be impaired, it may sag and fall inward. To accelerate the hardening of the sealing material, it is recommended to moisten it with a spray gun.

Stages of processing, protection and finishing after applying mounting foam

Polyurethane foam has excellent heat and sound insulating performance, but the surface of the seams formed by this material does not look very nice. As a result, in most cases, they are decoratively treated with putty, cement mortar, paint or other finishing building material.

The cured sealant withstands significant temperature fluctuations in the environment, but decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation when exposed to direct sunlight. As a result, the surface of the joints formed by the mounting foam is painted, plastered, covered with architraves or protected from solar radiation in some other way.

The problem is how to correctly use polyurethane foam without a gun over time can become relevant for everyone. This question arises very sharply when it is time to repair the dilapidated or build a new building. During this period, very often there is an urgent need to remove gaps and cracks, if necessary, or doors. Mounting foam - the best remedy which solves this problem.

Mounting foam says no to cracks!

Among various kinds sealant, polyurethane foam is the most popular. This material will help very well in the wall, cracks and joints that are more than three centimeters wide.

The packaging in which the foam is sold is an aerosol spray can made of metal. Despite the small weight, the concentration of contents inside is very high. From the capacity of one package, you can get more than 40 liters of foam in order to close up various gaps. With the help of video instructions, you can get skills for competent work with this sealant.

Before you start using mounting foam without a gun, you need to take into account that this substance becomes solid under the influence of a humid environment, and also increases noticeably in volume after the balloon has been used. It has a porous structure and has excellent thermal insulation properties. Due to the fact that the foam has a possible long service life, its indispensability in repair and construction work is explained. With its help, you can close up gaps, fasten structures, ensure the fixation of joints, heat and soundproof these places.

This solution has several categories - semi-professional using plastic straw and professional (pistol type, you can read in detail), winter, summer and all-weather. Such a cylinder device was invented with the aim of easily displacing the foam from the cylinder with a special gas. As a result, the formation liquid polymer its solidification and the formation of polyurethane foam.

So, mounting foam is universal remedy, which has heat and sound insulation properties, connects, fastens and glues different parts, is convenient for installation work, has a practical package. With its expansion, it is possible to repair joints and seams with high quality, after solidification, you do not need to pay attention to it in the future.

Previously, this material served as an alternative cement mortar, but its production is a labor-intensive process that takes a lot of time. For simplicity, convenience and combination in working with, metal, wood, concrete and stone, foam mortar can be preferred.

What you should pay attention to when purchasing mounting foam:

First of all, you should pay attention so that the product does not turn out to be a fake. The main criterion here is the country of origin.
When buying a product in a store, you need to pay attention to the production date and specified period storage.
It is necessary to check the weight of the cylinder before buying, as well as the cleanliness of its valve, in order to avoid purchasing a used product.
The purchase of polyurethane foam occurs depending on the time of year.
It should be borne in mind that the volume of the substance released from the cylinder has the same dimensions, does not differ in consistency.
The main criterion for a good product is that after it has been applied to a vertical surface, it should not slip, including from walls and window surfaces.
The application of sealant to the surface is done by uniform extrusion of the substance and at a constant speed.
The foam is sold in aerosol cans made of metal. They are light, easy to use and have a high concentration of content - more than 40 liters of foam are obtained from one package during use.
This design was invented by foam manufacturers not by chance - with its help, the material comes out when there is a special gas inside. As a result, the polymer successfully hardens at the gaps and joints and a fairly rigid base is formed.

Working with mounting foam is a process that does not require much effort. It is characterized by simplicity and convenience. But, in order not to worsen the quality of work, you need to know certain subtleties.

Firstly, installation work is carried out in the absence of low temperatures. According to expert advice, the hardening process occurs more efficiently at temperatures from plus 5 to plus 30 degrees. Similar work is carried out from mid-spring to mid-autumn. The exception is winter views foam.
Secondly, you need to work only with gloves. They allow you to avoid contamination of the hands and, as a result, a long process of cleaning from the foam solution. Workers often miss this rule, which is quite dangerous. Therefore, questions often arise.
Thirdly, do not try to work with foam everywhere, anywhere. If you need to fill a gap with a width of 1 to 8 cm, then using mounting foam is acceptable and approved. In the case when the gap size is larger size, then it is better to use alternative materials, such as plastic, brick or foam. If less than a centimeter, putty can be applied. It should be remembered - after completing work with the sealant, the excess amount of foam is cut off with a knife (do not remove the excess with your hands).
Fourthly, before applying the foam, it is advisable to water the area to be sealed with water. The foam cures and cures much faster and more efficiently when the ambient humidity ranges from 60 to 80 percent.
Fifth, shake the bottle well before starting work. This should last not a couple of seconds, but about a minute. This is enough for the solution inside the container to turn into a homogeneous mass.

We take the bottle in hand. Shake the contents of the bottle before removing the protective cover. After we have screwed the supplied tube onto the adapter, we turn the cylinder upside down. It is in this position that the balloon is used when installation work. This subtlety is very important because the foam displacing gas is very light and the whole mixture is more efficiently mixed when the cylinder is upside down.

Now we apply foam, taking into account the fact that it increases in volume. Therefore, it is necessary to apply foam into the hollow space by no more than a third. After some time, there is an increase in volume by another 2-3 times, and after that it is already possible to cut off all the excess with a knife. When applying foam not horizontally, but vertically, the solution should be directed from bottom to top. This provides ease of application and the appearance of a base for fixing, not yet cured sealant.

After applying the foam, it is sprayed with water to improve and more efficient the curing process. When we see a shortage of foam at the joints, we need to wait a little time, about half an hour, for the bottom layer to harden, and then we can add it to the same places. But do not try too hard, the surplus will no longer be needed.

In one pass, the foam layer, when applied, has an allowable value of three, four centimeters. In the case when the gap is larger, then the application of the foam occurs sequentially, the layers are applied one after the other.

After 8 hours have passed since the foam was applied, it will dry completely. You should not try to start arranging furniture, wallpapering, installing shelves immediately after applying the foam. In the sealed joints, remove excess foam, cover with leveling agents ( best options- this is plaster, paint or cement).

You can also use polyurethane sealing tape as a protection. This helps to increase the service life and prevent from getting ultraviolet rays. You can use the spray gun for whitewashing, and then proceed to other stages of finishing work.

Quality control - saving time and money

The foam solution must have elasticity, stick well to the treated surface. High-quality foam, after it sits down and hardens, it will not dry out into small crumbs. To avoid unnecessary problems, before the material has completely hardened, you can not touch it and start processing it, in order to avoid changes in the very structure of the material and not interfere with the polymerization process.

You can get it good quality work performed only if the material meets the relevant standards. Then you do not have to do the work of sealing the joints again. It should be borne in mind that there are cans on sale in various price categories and which have different foam output capacities. In this case, it is better to buy aerosol can at a more expensive price, so that it is enough for all the cracks, than to buy several cheaper ones.

Polyurethane foam - excellent repair quality

When buying foam, you need to remember that the use of the balloon is designed for only a single use. Based on this, you do not need to use the balloon twice. If you know how to use mounting foam without a gun, then it is not difficult to calculate the volume required to complete this work. Otherwise, it is better to get advice from those who work in this field, or consult with the seller in the store.

The repeated use of the foam container takes place only when the sealant operation is carried out after a short time. At the same time, upon completion of the first stage of work, treat the tube (gun), valve with a specially designed liquid to remove foam. But, as a rule, this method is not used by workers on construction sites.

To remove excess, you need to prepare a water sprayer and a knife to cut off excess in advance.
If the foam is in unnecessary places, you can remove it with a soft acetone sponge.
Economical consumption of mounting foam will help to avoid additional costs for cylinders.
It is necessary to treat the surface after applying the foam after 4 hours. At the end of 7-8 hours, it will become more difficult to cut it, the hardening process is completely over.
Work should be done using a respirator, it will protect the human body from unnecessary chemicals. It also does not hurt if the worker has glasses, gloves and overalls. So it's not easy.
You should not wait until the foam becomes dark in color, as this indicates that the reaction to ultraviolet exposure has begun (initially it has a light yellow tint).
It is forbidden to use polyurethane foam near an open flame and store the cylinder under the action of open sun rays(this is a common rule, but often it is not observed, there is a risk of running into the consequences of a fire and the arrival of firefighters). The composition of the sealant uses various components that can ignite. This can lead to very sad consequences. Foam has classes: fire-fighting, self-extinguishing or combustible (this must be known in advance).
The occurrence of problems is also associated if the foam is applied to a dirty surface. To solve this problem, the treated surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
If the temperature outside the window is below plus 5 degrees, then the viscosity of the product may not be suitable for use due to non-compliance with the standards. Also, the normal structure of the foam can be disturbed by an increase in ambient temperature up to 30-35 degrees Celsius (an exception is all-weather foam, which is suitable for use at temperatures from minus 10 to plus 40 degrees).
If you take a chance by applying summer foam in winter, then there is a risk of getting foam that crumbles and has vitreous bubbles. She begins to crawl down, which means money thrown to the wind. For your information, the all-weather solution has temperature limits up to minus 10 degrees, the indicator of the contents of the cylinder and minus 5, the temperature of the container

Provided that you have taken into account all the tips on how to use mounting foam without a gun that have been mentioned here, you can proceed with complete confidence construction work which involve the use of mounting foam. With the help of foam material, it is also easy to fill the extra voids in the walls with seals with different widths of joints and cracks. So you can safely proceed to quality repairs!