Sealants are majestic for tradespeople and DIYers; in fact, according to Statista, construction sealants is a steadily growing market in the UK. However, there are many questions regarding choosing the correct sealant, such as sealant durability. Our expert guide below will examine the most effective sealants, their shelf life, and their lifespan after being applied to their surface.
Sealant Durability
While most modern sealants are high-grade, their formulas and application methods differ, meaning their shelf lives and durability will vary depending on the brand and type of sealant.
Typical sealant durability depends on several factors: the type of sealant, packaging, substrates, and environmental conditions in which the sealant is kept.
Sealants can last from 5 to 20 years. However, this will all depend on the application, quality of sealant, and environmental exposure (rain, dust, wind). Other factors can also include ageing through oxidation, degradation, or loss of flexibility. All of these elements affect sealant durability and effectiveness.
Typical Sealant Shelf Life
General sealant shelf life can vary from 6 months to 24 months. Shelf life depends on various things, including the date of manufacture and when the shop sold you the sealant. Thus, while a sealant may have 12 months of shelf life, if it was produced six months ago, you only have six months to use it.
Something to think about: While a sealant may have expired, it may still work fine within a respectable period if kept in appropriate conditions.
Here are some examples of popular sealants and their shelf life periods.
- Sika Sikaflex EBT+ – 15 months
- Everbuild Stixall – 12 to 24 months
- Soudal Acryrub – 12 months
- Bostik Express Pointing Mortar – 12 months
- CT1 Sealant – 18 months
Can you put new sealant over old?
Some people attempt to apply new sealant over old to aid durability. We do not recommend doing this because the old sealant will likely be split or broken apart, making it unsuitable for application.
You will also face visual challenges, as too much sealant or silicone can look messy, especially if colours are mixed, or the old sealant is faded. Thus it’s not suitable for satisfactory for interior rooms like bathrooms or exterior properties like gutters.
Storing sealants correctly to help extend their lifetime
While an extended lifetime isn’t guaranteed by storing sealant correctly, you can certainly attempt it. To do so, you must ensure the conditions are dry and away from the sun or any other possible damage. They should be kept in their box and checked regularly like eggs.
Before attempting to apply an expired sealant, test it on a small surface. Reapplying an inadequate sealant is tedious and costly.
Final Thoughts
With heaps of sealants and brands on the market, it’s hard to distinguish between good marketing and those that work the best. We recommend looking at trusted reviews and asking other DIYers and tradespeople what they recommend. Also, remember to check the manufacturing date before buying if you need to use it much later or wait to buy it closer to the time you intend to use it.