Mounting foam at home. Rules and sequence for applying mounting foam

Polyurethane foam is a very practical and convenient material, the advantages of which are appreciated not only by professionals, but also by home craftsmen. However, there are little tricks that will help you expand the scope of its use or apply the foam more intelligently.

Remember that mounting foam, like any other product, has a limited shelf life. When buying, be sure to check it on the bottom of the can.

Shake the can well before starting work, and keep it upside down while working with it. This is necessary so that the gas that squeezes the contents out is above the foam.

How to properly apply mounting foam

Since the polyurethane foam coming out of the can needs moisture for its effective expansion, which it mainly receives from the air, moisten the area to be treated with it a little beforehand. However, remember that excessive moisture can prevent it from sticking.

When the mounting foam has hardened, its excess is removed with a knife.

How to foam hard to reach places

If you need to foam some hard-to-reach place, it can be very difficult to work with the tube usually attached to the spray can. To perform such an operation, you can put a thin flexible hose on the regular tube of the can.

When the place to be treated with foam is too high, the end of the flexible hose can be fixed on some kind of holder or a regular stick. And don't forget to always keep the can upside down!

By foaming a very narrow gap, you can heat the extension hose with a match, pull and break it.

At the point of rupture, the diameter of the hose will be very small, which will guarantee high quality sealing of a small space.

What to do if the tube attached to the can is lost

If this much-needed tube is lost, then you can put a heat-shrink tube on the can dispenser, and use a fairly wide washer as a dispensing stop.

In this case, you can work with foam, as with a regular native pipe.

How can you clean drops of mounting foam

If you accidentally dripped foam somewhere, it is better not to smear it and wait for the foam mass to dry. Then simply peel off the hardened material. If a drop of foam is still smeared, use ordinary acetone, which will easily dissolve the polyurethane composition.

And further. Do not forget that mounting foam is a great and reliable adhesive!

In the modern world, it is used in almost all types of repair and construction work. It is used during the installation of doors, windows and window sills, plumbing fixtures. Also, this building material has found wide application as a heater - they close cracks and cracks, sandwich panels and various heaters are made from it.

The main advantage of polyurethane foam is the convenience and ease of use.

Types of mounting foam

In order to figure out how to use mounting foam correctly, consider its varieties. Today, modern industry produces three types of this material: professional and household cylinders, as well as two-component mounting foam (we will not consider it in this article, since it is used only in production conditions). What is their difference? What type to give preference? How to use a balloon with polyurethane foam The main criterion for choosing this material is its purpose.

Foam for professional use (pistol)

This material is sold in cylinders from 1.5 liters and differs in that it can only be used with the help of It is used, as a rule, by professional builders, since this design allows you to easily and quickly complete the job.

The use of a gun greatly facilitates the dosage of the material. For one-time work at home, the material is not very convenient, because after application it is necessary to wash the gun, and this is an additional financial cost. There are manufacturers who complete the cylinders with a spray tube. But it is not economical to apply professional foam from it, since strong pressure increases its consumption.

Foam for home use

It is sold in tubes, the capacity of which is 0.6-0.8 liters, and is completed with a straw. It is intended for single use. Convenient for filling small spaces and correcting various installation imperfections. Household polyurethane foam is endowed with the same properties as professional use. There is a tubing included. If necessary, you can use both a cylinder and a gun.

The cost of professional foam is much higher than household foam, and this is mainly due to the difference in their volume.

Gun design

Before we learn how to use a spray foam can, let's first look at the design of the gun. Regardless of manufacturer? its device is the same and quite simple:

• If the supply of household foam occurs through a PVC tube, then in the gun it is carried out through a metal one with a special tip - a nozzle. The tip opening is 5 times smaller than the cross section of the supply tube, thereby increasing the working pressure of the mixture.
• The cylinder is connected through an adapter - an adapter, which is fixed on the gun body.
• The purpose of the adjusting screw is to control the output of the mixture.
• The handle of this tool is aluminum or plastic. It is attached to the barrel with a nut. Thanks to the collapsible design, the gun is easy to clean from frozen residues.
• The trigger serves to supply the mixture from the cylinder.

How to install a cylinder on a gun

In order to learn how to properly use a foam gun, let's first look at how to insert it:

• The first thing to do is to warm the foam can in hot water to room temperature and shake thoroughly for 20-25 seconds to bring the polyurethane foam substance to a homogeneous state. The foam will come out of a homogeneous consistency and in full.

• The container is closed on top with a protective cap, which must be removed before installation. Then place the gun with the handle down. When connecting, firmly hold the device with one hand by the handle, and with the other, rotate the cylinder onto the adapter. Evidence of connection will be a hiss, which indicates the flow of foam. If this sound was not there, this indicates a malfunction of the inlet ball valve or the expiration date of the foam itself. To eliminate such a problem, the gun will have to be disassembled and cleaned of dried old material.
• After shaking, the device is placed in the working position with the handle down. The adjusting screw is turned a quarter of a turn and the trigger is pulled, directing the barrel into the bag. When the consistency of the foam is normal, get to work.

Mounting foam: how to use a can with a gun?

To work with polyurethane foam does not require special skills. It will be enough to try to foam something once or twice, and everything will work out. Consider the order of work and some of the nuances:

Polyurethane foam is a material sensitive to ultraviolet rays, which, under their influence, is destroyed, changes color and crumbles. If used outdoors, then after complete drying and removal of excess, it is necessary to cover it with cement mortar.

How to use mounting foam with a tube?

If a gun is not provided for the cylinder (in household foam), then instead of it a PVC tube is included in the kit, which is screwed onto the adapter. The principle of operation is identical to professional foaming. It is not always convenient to work with such a balloon, but for one-time use it is great. This option will be ideal in that situation, if you plan to close up small seams.

So, what are the disadvantages of polyurethane foam? How to use it, we have already found out. Now let's look at the cons of such material:

• It is impossible to dose the supply of the contents of the container, which increases the consumption of mounting foam.
• The inconvenience of working with this tool. Holding the balloon upside down by hand is quite tiring and even inconvenient. The arm often gets tired and constant breaks are needed.

Using mounting foam without a gun and a straw

Sometimes professional polyurethane foam can be used without a gun. How to use the balloon? In this situation, you will have to pick up the foam tube yourself and figure out how to press the valve. Figuratively, this process can be represented as follows: you need to let the air out so that it can all get to the right point and at the same time not catch your hands.

In this case, a tube of 3 parts is chosen: the first and third are flexible, and the second is solid. The valve is pressed with the middle part, the first prevents the mounting foam from splashing, and the third already brings it to the place of processing.

Conclusion

So, we have considered mounting foam. How to use such material, we also studied. But do not forget about the protection of hands and face, since the foam is rather difficult to wash off. It's much cheaper to buy an extra pair of gloves than it is to buy thinner or walk around with dirty hands.

Mounting foam is also called polyurethane foam sealant. This is one of the types of foamed polymer that has industrial significance.

Why is polyurethane foam preferred in construction? What is foam made of?

Types of foamed polymers

Styrofoam can be obtained from almost any known plastic mass. But only some types of foamed polymers are valuable for industry.

1. Polyvinyl chloride foams.

Are issued in the form of elastic strips or rolls. Widely used to insulate window frames for the winter.

2. Styrofoam.

Produced in the form of plates. It is mainly used in construction for thermal insulation of building walls, for forming the inner layer in wall and roof structures of the "sandwich" type.

3. Carbide resins.

They have found wide application in the conditions of a construction site as jellied foam plastics, in the creation of heat-insulating layers.

4. Polyurethane foam (rigid and elastic).

The scope of this material is quite wide:

• creation of seamless insulation (sealing and sealing of joints);
• insulation of floors, walls and roof structures;
• solid insulation by spraying roofing and interfloor surfaces;
• insulation of window and door openings, underground and surface pipelines;
• equipment for ventilation, heating, air conditioning systems; insulation of bridges and road surfaces, etc.

The prevalence of polyurethane foams is explained by their following qualities and characteristics:

• optimal physical and mechanical properties for construction work;
• high heat engineering, sealing and waterproofing performance;
• variety of technological process when creating an insulating layer.

The most interesting from the point of view of economics and practice are those materials that do not require complex and expensive fixtures and equipment; long time to get results. Polyurethane foam became such material.

Introduction to mounting foam

1. When cured, it is a gas-filled plastic mass based on polyurethane.

2. Hard polyurethane foam - rigid foam with a closed-cell structure.

3. There are dispersed gas-air inclusions in the polymer matrix of the sealant.

4. Polyurethane foam is available in small and convenient bottles.

5. The initial composition is applied in the form of a jet, which the installer directs with a nozzle into the cavity.

The composition of the mounting foam is complex. Let's name the main components:

• diisocyanate (polymerizes under the influence of ambient humidity);
• carbon dioxide (foaming agent);
• polyisocyanates.

The composition easily exits the container, rapidly foams and increases in volume, forming a homogeneous mass with a yellow tint.

At this moment, the most complex chemical, physical and mechanical processes simultaneously occur inside the substance:

• increasing the viscosity of materials;
• increase in volume, structuring and loss of mobility;
• formation of a closed cell structure;
• solidification of the substance, the formation of a solid foam;
• bonding polyurethane foam composition with the material of the treated surface.

The stages of polymerization can be conditionally designated as follows:

• strong rise;
• moderate rise;
• slow rise.

The duration of these periods depends on the brand of mounting foam. If we compare the structure of the resulting foam, its physical and mechanical properties, then significant differences will be noticed. For example, one foam gives a high-strength material, but with an uneven structure. Accordingly, the compositions of mounting foams of various brands are different.

The manufacturer can change the recipe for polyurethane foam sealant. Thanks to this, mounting foams for domestic and professional needs, for residential buildings and industrial buildings with a high level of fire risk, for summer and winter work are presented on the market.

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 of door frames, double-glazed windows, repair of balconies, construction of 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):

1. Prepolymers (polyol, isocyanate) - the basis of the foam. Upon contact with air, this component enters the polymerization process, expanding and foaming.
2. Propellant (propellant, mixture of butane and propane). Displaces the composition from the cylinder when pressed.
3. 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 pipelines and the 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:

1. Easy to use (working with polyurethane foam does not require special experience or knowledge).
2. 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).
3. Can be applied to any type of material, including metal, plastic and polymer surfaces.
4. 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).
5. Moisture resistance (the layer of hardened foam does not rot, does not mold).
6. 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 ones are usually used only for industrial purposes, with large volumes of work and, if necessary, to obtain the highest possible characteristics of the composition.

By way of application

There are compositions:

1. Professional. Foam is sprayed from a cylinder that is inserted into a construction gun. A more convenient option than spraying with a tube, it allows you to quickly work with a large volume (for example, to foam the gaps between the plates).
2. 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

According to temperature regimes, the following types of compositions are distinguished:

• 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 of such manufacturers:

1. Macroflex (Makroflex, Finland).
2. Bison International (Netherlands).
3. Soudal (Belgium).
4. Tytan, Hauser (Poland).
5. Bau Master, Domos (Estonia).
6. Master Gvozd, CHIP, Putech (RF).
7. 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

In order not to have to cut off a large amount of foam and redo the structure again, keep in mind:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Do not drop or heat the cylinder.
2. Do not use the cylinder near hot surfaces or open flames.
3. The work is carried out with gloves (if the foam gets on the skin, it will be difficult to clean it off).
4. 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 advisable to cover them with plastic wrap, rags or newspapers.

Modern construction sites cannot do without the use of mounting foam, the technical characteristics of which played an important role in its mass application. Professional builders and amateur craftsmen who have decided to cope with the repair work on their own have recently not imagined the installation of doors, window sills and windows, as well as construction activities related to the waterproofing of pipelines and large containers, such as water heaters and bathtubs, without the use of mounting foam , the technique of using which will be discussed in the article.

Polyurethane foam: performance characteristics

The widespread use of polyurethane foam, first of all, is due to its operational characteristics, which make it possible to consider this material indispensable in almost all types of construction work. The main properties of mounting foam, at the same time recognized as its advantages, which every builder could appreciate, are as follows:

• Can be used as a sound and heat insulator;
• High resistance to moisture and low electrical conductivity;
• The operational features of some types of mounting foam indicate resistance to fire;
• The ability to fill voids and various cracks after expansion, providing high quality seams and joints;
• Possibility of gluing elements from various materials by means of mounting foam.

Varieties of mounting foam

To date, manufacturers offer several varieties of polyurethane mounting foam, among which the following varieties are of interest to builders:

• Professional polyurethane foam, for the use of which a specialized device is used - a gun, which allows to increase the yield of polyurethane sealant and extend the period of its use;
• Household or semi-professional polyurethane foam intended for single use. In addition, the main difference between household sealant is a significantly lower filling density of the cylinder.

According to the temperature conditions under which the application of mounting foam is permissible, a video with its use is presented in the article, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Summer polyurethane foam is used if the temperature of the treated surface varies from +5 to +35 degrees;
• Winter polyurethane foam can be used in winter, as it withstands the temperature of the treated surface from -20 to +30 degrees;

• All-season polyurethane foam is characterized by a combination of properties of winter and summer modifications. The operating temperature of all-weather foam is in the range from -10 to +30 degrees.

Moreover, for builders who prefer mounting foam, the manufacturer suggests paying attention to a separate type of polyurethane sealant, which has special functional parameters - fire-fighting mounting foam. The use of non-combustible sealant, which retains its performance characteristics when exposed to high temperatures and even open fire, is practiced in the construction of facilities with the highest fire safety requirements.

How to choose the right polyurethane sealant?

When choosing mounting foam, the price of which directly depends on the quality, it is important to focus not only on the manufacturer, but also on the external characteristics of the cylinder in which the sealant is sold. The container with the best polyurethane foam is much heavier, and when shaken, its contents roll from one end of the cylinder to the other, and the price will speak for itself.

Factors affecting the consumption of mounting foam

An important parameter that experts recommend taking into account in the process of choosing a sealant is the consumption of mounting foam. It directly determines the amount of material that needs to be purchased for certain work and is determined by a large number of external and internal factors.

Internal:

• The manufacturer of mounting foam, on which one of the important technical parameters of the material depends - the primary expansion. In accordance with it, highly expanding modifications are distinguished, which include most household sealants, for example, Titanium polyurethane foam. In addition, manufacturers offer foams with medium and low expansion, suitable for more delicate work, among which are Macroflex foam, which has all of the above properties, as well as Master foam, which is characterized by minimal toxicity.

External:

• Ambient temperature;
• The material used to make the surface to be treated is recognized as one of the fundamental parameters that must be taken into account when calculating the consumption of sealant.

Instructions for the use of mounting foam. Basic subtleties of use

Regardless of which mounting foam you prefer, be it professional or household, the foam can is preheated in hot water and shaken thoroughly before use. This is done in order to mix the components of the sealant, and thereby increase the yield of mounting foam, the photo using which is presented in the article.

Further actions depend on the modification of the selected polyurethane sealant.

If it is semi-professional foam, then the tube that comes with it is put on the cylinder, while the professional foam cylinder requires the installation of a gun on it after removing the cap from it.

It is important to remember that a properly functioning gun is able to ensure the safety of unused foam for 3 days.

After preparing the material, care must be taken to carefully prepare the working plane, which will later be used to apply the sealant. Experts advise cleaning it from dirt and dust particles, as well as moistening it with water, which accelerates the polymerization of the polyurethane precursor, which is part of the sealant. In addition, this contributes to the speedy adhesion of the mounting foam to the treated surface.

The process of applying polyurethane sealant is not difficult, the only thing you need to pay close attention to is the correct dosing of the foam from the container.

In this regard, it is easier to work with professional foam, the cylinder of which is equipped with a special gun that regulates the sealant output using a valve. In the case of using household cylinders, this process is regulated by pressing the cylinder valve. It is important to take into account that in the process of applying foam to the surface, the cylinder must be held vertically with the valve down.

After applying the sealant, you must wait for it to dry completely. According to the manufacturer, the complete polymerization of the material occurs within 6-7 hours, however, its final solidification often depends on the amount of foam used and can take up to 11-12 hours.

After the mounting foam has hardened, many are wondering: "How to remove the mounting foam?". This event also does not require special skills. The excess foam remaining after it hardens is cut off with a metal file or a sharply sharpened knife.

In the event that the mounting foam was used on the street, after its final drying and subsequent removal of excess, it is covered with cement mortar or plaster. It is also not forbidden to stain it, which protects against ultraviolet radiation. The need for this measure is due to the high sensitivity of even the best polyurethane foam to ultraviolet radiation, which contributes to discoloration and premature destruction of the material.

If, when applying mounting foam, it fell into your hands, do not panic. You can remove it with the solvent used to flush the gun.