There are two types of grout. Dry mixed powder grouts which require mixing with water and are based on cement. In contrast, ready mixed grouts do not require mixing with water and are manufactured using water resistant polymer dispersions. Both types contain components such as bulk fillers, rheology modifiers and special additives to promote water and mould resistance.
Titanium dioxide and the other coloured oxides that are used to pigment coloured grouts can discolour over time due to UV exposure. This discolouration is much less evident in ready-mixed formulations. In addition, cement-based grouts are porous so any dirty water or residues that they are exposed to will be absorbed and not necessarily washed away.
The use of a good quality, polymer-modified cement-based or ready-mixed grout with a regular cleaning regime will reduce the risk of discolouration.
Commercially available cleaners can be effective in removing surface dirt and contaminants.
Grout pens offer a mid-term solution for grout restoration, providing a waterproof coating that is also mould resistant. They act to cover ingrained discolouration that cannot be removed.
Yes, many conventional household cleaners are based on mild acids like white vinegar.
A good quality sanitary silicone sealant combined with regular cleaning will help to reduce mould growth. Mould thrives in warm, humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Mould prefers to grow on the silicone initially, as silicone is a good insulator and is always warmer than the surrounding tiles, grout, sanitary ware etc. Left untreated, however, mould will eventually spread and grow everywhere.
Treating with a dilute bleach solution will spot kill mould growth, however, this does not provide protection and the mould will soon grow back. Treating with a specialist commercially available mould remover will not only kill existing mould growth, but also the spores that are present. It will also contain a fungicide to inhibit further growth.
Mould thrives in warm, humid environments where ventilation is poor. Typical examples are kitchens, bathrooms and shower areas.
White mould only grows on the surface, whereas black mould is capable of penetrating below the surface and causing more damage if left untreated.
Existing mould should be treated with a proprietary mould remover. This not only kills the visible mould, but provides ongoing protection.
Yellowing occurs over time on exterior sealants due to deterioration with age, whilst strong cleaning chemicals can discolour sanitary type sealants.
We recommend removal and replacement of old silicone sealant, however, for interior locations where the seal is still functioning, it is possible to refresh the appearance of the sealant using UniBond RE-NEW.
Water based sealants dry by water evaporation, so drying time is dependent on the surrounding temperature and humidity. In normal interior locations using standard sealant bead widths, this is up to 48 hours. Silicone sealants cure by reaction with moisture in the air, so will generally fully cure in 16 – 24 hours.
Due to the difficulty in removing wet silicone sealant, we would not recommend using sealant as a substitute for grout.
Water based sealants such as UniBond Indoor Window & Door Frame Sealant are paintable from 1 hour. Silicone sealants are not over paintable.
Sealants should have an expiry or manufacture date printed on the cartridge with a clear indication of the shelf life. A sealant that is beyond it’s recommended shelf life should not be used, as although it will apply properly, it may not fully cure.
In warm, humid environments where there is a likelihood of mould growth, it is essential to use a sealant that contains a fungicide to prevent mould growth.
- Remove existing sealant
- Break the safety seal and remove the cap
- Turn around the nozzle by 90°
- Apply with a 45° angleÂ
- Smooth for a perfect resultÂ
To enable reuse, the applicator nozzle must be cut above the screw thread so that the cap can be replaced.
Sealants manufactured using UniBond patented Flextec technology can be applied to damp and wet surfaces.
A good quality sanitary silicone sealant combined with regular cleaning will help to reduce mould growth. Mould thrives in warm, humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Mould prefers to grow on the silicone initially, as silicone is a good insulator and is always warmer than the surrounding tiles, grout, sanitary ware etc. Left untreated, however, mould will eventually spread and grow everywhere.
Excess ready mixed grout should be moved from the surface of the grout immediately.
Ready mixed wall and floor tile grouts are suitable for use with ceramic glaze and porcelain tiles. They should not be used in exterior locations, with other tile types or, on shower floors.
Ready mixed tile adhesives are particularly suited to the DIY enthusiast, as they are produced to a guaranteed mix, do not generate dust and, do not require as much surface preparation as cement based alternatives.
All surfaces must be dry, clean and free from contaminants when using epoxy adhesives.
Tape can damage walls, particularly wallcoverings such as wallpaper and weakly bonded paints. Whilst we do not recommend tape be applied to wallpaper, low tack tapes such as masking tape can be applied to painted wall surfaces. It is however, recommended to perform a pre-test in an inconspicuous area first to satisfy yourself that damage will not occur.
Tapes bond well to wood. As the adhesive layer is pressure sensitive, pressing firmly will assist the adhesive bond.
Heat resistant tapes are manufactured from aluminium foil or fibreglass. Henkel do not currently manufacture a heat resistant tape in their consumer range.
You can use any of the UniBond No More Nails range, however we particularly recommend UniBond No More Nails Original as it combines instant grab and repositionability, with easy water clean-up and outstanding bond strength.
Yes, UniBond No More Nails Waterproof or any of the No More Nails All Materials range can be used to bond to damp surfaces.
No More Nails Waterproof or any of the No More Nails All Materials range are suitable for exterior use. No More Nails Original is only suitable for interior use.
UniBond No More Nails Waterproof and the UniBond No More Nails All Material range cure chemically, so can be used to bond two non-porous items. We would recommend that one of the surfaces being bonded is lightly dampened prior to making the bond to assist curing. As No More Nails Original cures by moisture loss, one of the surfaces being bonded needs to be porous.
Yes, the whole UniBond No More Nails range is solvent free, so will not adversely affect expanded polystyrene.
Yes, UniBond No More Nails Waterproof and the UniBond No More Nails All Material range are suitable for mirror bonding. UniBond No More Nails All Materials Heavy Objects is particularly suited to bonding large mirrors due to its ultra-high grab.
Unfortunately, these products will not withstand the temperatures, specialist high-temperature products are required for this task.
UniBond No More Nails Original is water-based, so excess adhesive can be removed with a damp cloth immediately after forming the bond.
UniBond No More Nails Waterproof and the UniBond No More Nails All Material range can be removed with a cloth soaked in white spirit.
Once fully cured, the UniBond No More Nails range of adhesives can only be removed by mechanical means (i.e. a chisel or similar tool).
UniBond No More Nails All Materials Heavy Objects is ideally suited for this task. The neutral curing formulation will not damage the mirror backing combined with ultra-high grab of 350kg/m2.
The UniBond No More Nails range of construction adhesives are not suitable for constant immersion or areas of permanent damp
In this instance, we would recommend mechanical fixings, due to the forces involved and, the likelihood that the small contract area is likely to cause the substrate to fail (e.g. emulsion paint becoming detached from the wall).