Foam sealant is a chemical spray that expands upon contact with a surface, creating a lightweight and porous material with insulating properties. It is useful for sealing gaps and hard-to-reach areas, but can be difficult to remove and requires protective clothing. It is commonly used in commercial and home construction for insulation and sound absorption.
Foam sealant is a type of chemical spray that expands when applied to a surface. Foam sealant appears as a thick, heavy, semi-soft liquid that begins to rise and become rigid as soon as it comes in contact with the environment. When the foam sealant cures, it becomes a very light weight and extremely porous material with highly effective insulating properties. When applied into a crack or hole, the foam sealant expands to fill the entire space and prevents any air leaks.
In hard-to-reach areas, foam sealant can often be applied more easily than other sealing or insulating materials. Only a small amount of material needs to be applied as the foam sealant grows to several times its initial size as it hardens and dries. Care should be taken when using this product due to its very sticky makeup. Foam can be difficult to remove once it contacts another surface. It’s easiest to cut it to size once it’s dried using a razor blade knife.
Protective clothing and gloves should be worn when applying foam sealant to any area. The sticky chemical instantly bonds to anything it touches, making cleanup difficult. In the event of contact with the skin, it is advisable to wash the affected area immediately with a paint thinner or solvent followed by plenty of warm water and soap. Clothing that comes into contact with the foam sealant should be discarded.
Commercial-grade sealant can be applied to large areas such as a basement wall or ceiling by a professional application team. Often used in large buildings to insulate concrete or steel panels, foam also has effective sound-absorbing properties. For most home use, sealant is sprayed from a small spray can and is used to seal gaps around plumbing and air leaks around windows and doors.
In some new construction, home electrical outlets are sealed against wind leaks by spraying the outlet with foam. Many plumbing lines are also covered with foam to eliminate flex and rattling. Spray sealant has replaced fiber insulation to be the sealant of choice in new window applications. The expanding properties of the foam create a much better insulator and eliminate any potential for gaps and leaks. Many times the foam will be applied around the entire perimeter of the window opening and will act as a seal with the window placed directly onto the foam and then secured with screws or nails.
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