VIEWPOINT
WHAT YOU SEE ISN’T NECESSARILY WHAT YOU GET
DOWSIL’s Kevin Powell says looks can be deceiving. M ost merchants
reckon that they are pretty canny buyers. And all of them
would complain loudly if they were short-changed in a shop or the pub. So, it seems remarkable that so many are being short- changed when they buy one of the most common products on their shelves – silicone sanitary sealants
There is a vast array of brands of sanitary sealant around today. A recent visit to a couple of merchants revealed literally dozens of different makes and brands on offer. Many of them are new to the market, imported from elsewhere in Europe to meet the demands of the UK industry. The choice can be bewildering but what is alarming for the unsuspecting merchant is that in random tests carried out by DOWSIL, we found that many sanitary sealant cartridges are considerably underfilled and some contain ‘diluted’ product.
Standard sizing Everybody is familiar with the standard sized 310ml cartridges which, in turn, fits a standard gun. All of the cartridges are the same size, but some are simply fuller than others. In random tests we carried out across the UK, we have found cartridges almost 10% underfilled. What can you look out for to make sure that you aren’t taken for a ride? Well the most obvious one is to check the cartridge! How far up the cartridge is the plunger? DOWSIL 785 Silicone Sanitary Sealant cartridges have plungers that are near the
18 “
In recent tests, we have made an alarming discovery- Many sanitary sealant cartridges are considerably some containing ‘diluted’ product.
in line with strict British and European legislation. The ‘e’ mark is a guarantee, recognised throughout the EU, that goods have been packed in accordance with these guidelines.
Some silicone sanitary ”
bottom of the cartridge showing that they have been filled to capacity. The plungers on other manufacturers cartridges can be up to three inches up inside the pack - that’s exactly how underfilled they are. Another tell-tale sign can be on the packaging. DOWSIL 785 cartridges state the fill on the cartridge. Packs which say “Standard Fill”, have a cryptic code, or simply do not have any indication of volume, should start ringing alarm bells and be avoided at all costs.
Look out for products like DOWSIL 785 Silicone Sanitary Sealant which carry an ‘e’ mark to show that they have been filled to a consistent standard
sealants are also ‘fluid extended’. In other words, the silicone has been diluted, often with solvents, and is therefore less pure. Many manufacturers extend their silicone sealants with solvents or other cheaper materials to cut costs. And that means that the sealants simply do not perform as well. Once applied and exposed to air, the solvent in the sealant ‘flashes off’ or evaporates as the sealant cures, causing excessive shrinkage of the sealant in situ.
Different qualities This means that although the sealant may look like a normal sealant and even apply in just the same way, it will not possess the same qualities once applied. It may shrink and leave a gap, or crack because it is not sufficiently flexible to cope with any movement in the substrate. Tests carried out in the DOWSIL labs on a number of competitor sanitary sealants have shown that they can shrink by as much as 40% over a very short period of time.
Unlike these inferior products, our DOWSIL 785 is not extended: its high percentage of silicone polymer makes it supremely reliable, highly flexible and it will not stain the substrate with any
nasty additives.
Not only will shrinkage look unsightly, it will cause leakages, allow water damage to occur and mean the sealant on the whole job must be cut out and reapplied. At it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that your customer will be back at your counter, waving a sealant cartridge around and asking for his money back if that happens. In the 40 years since their initial launch, DOWSIL 785 Silicone Sanitary Sealant has proved its toughness, durability and total reliability. Millions of cartridges have been sold over the years making it the undisputed tradesman’s favourite.
Caveat emptor As with so many things in life, at DOWSIL we would advise that the merchant buyer should beware. Read sealant cartridges for tell-tale signs of underfilling, stick to brands that you know you can trust and, if you feel that you are not getting value for the money you are paying for your sealants, complain to your supplier. Only when the dubious practices of underfilling and fluid extension have been stamped out will we all know that we are getting what we pay for. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2019
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