Elastomeric sealant is a pliable, rubbery building material that fills and seals spaces. It expands and seals surfaces, creating a waterproof barrier. It is made of an elastic polymer and can be used for small DIY projects or large professional jobs. It can be left clear or painted to blend with materials and is effective in changing climates.
Elastomeric sealant is a building material used to fill and seal spaces. With a rubbery liquid texture that dries hard but retains flexibility, it can be easy to work with and is typically long-lasting. When applied or pushed into a crack or gap, the sealant expands and seals the surface, creating a waterproof barrier. It is barely visible or invisible on most materials and can be used indoors or out.
A chemical compound, or polymer, called an elastomer makes up the elastomeric sealant. It is strong and spongy, hard and rubbery, making it an elastic polymer. It typically comes in a tube, tub, or can and is runny and creamy, making it very pliable for application by hand or with a caulk gun. Hardware and specialty stores that sell building materials usually stock sealant.
Projects ranging from small DIY varieties to large professional jobs can use elastomeric sealant. Sealing cracks in floorboards and around windows in homes can help insulate against drafts or water infiltration. Another use is repaving driveways or sidewalks and curing the spaces between poured slabs. It may be suitable for situations where a structure needs to maintain its ability to expand and contract while supporting heavy loads, such as in a pavement or driveway.
Often the elastomeric sealant is applied by squeezing it into a space until it fills to the top or out to the edges. After being pressed or allowed to settle, it actually fills the small gaps and spaces within the crack or the larger crack itself. When sealant dries, it may shrink a bit, but according to the American Society for Testing and Materials, which tests sealants and publishes product standards, it should shrink no more than 7 percent and should not crack or peel from the edges when bearing the weight. It should also be waterproof.
Caulking projects can also benefit from the use of elastomeric sealant due to its aesthetic flexibility. It can be left to dry in its clear or milky translucent form, or it can be painted to blend with the bonded material, weathered metal, concrete, glass or wood. Due to its ability to flex with the movement of a material, elastomeric sealant is also effective in changing climates where expansion and shrinkage can occur.
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