fungal resistant sealant being applied by a professional

Fungi Resistance of Sanitary Sealants

The following information is for sealants used in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools, slaughterhouses, cooling rooms, storage- and food production rooms.
Fungal growth can occur in these environments as a result of temperature, humidity, the remains of soap and traces of fungi in the air. Fungi loves wet and damp surfaces such as can occur on sealant joints. Fungi can develop at 60% humidity + and will become difficult to remove after time.

How to prevent fungal growth in sealants joints

  • Good ventilation and climate control
  • Cleaning and removal of soap-residue
  • Use of fungi-static sealants

How fungi-static sealants work, and what not to do

  1. Fungi-static sealants contain a fungicide. This fungicide dissolves naturally in water/moisture as the sealant is applied/spread over the working surface.
  2. Traces of fungi that settle on the surface of the sealant are then restricted in their growth and will not be able to develop.
  3. Because of their slight solubility in water the fungicide will leach from the sealant over time meaning the fungi-static properties are diminished. This will be accelerated if the areas are cleaned with warm water or water under high pressure.
  4. Using chemical cleaning agents or dissolving agents for grease will mean the fungicide may leach out of the sealant in an accelerated manner also. In particular, if aggressive detergents (specially chlorinated detergents like bleach or sodium-hypo chloride) are used, the fungicide can become almost useless.

Specifications

The fungi-static properties of sealants are tested according to ISO 846 A+B. This tests for a number of the most common fungi in NZ. Be aware that not all fungi can be tested for, and so fungal presence remains a risk in limited circumstances.

Summary

The use of fungi-static sealants will normally mean that fungal growth on a sealant surface can be prevented or minimised. However, depending on what products are used when cleaning and the uncontrollable presence of a rare untested fungi, it cannot be 100% excluded that after some time fungal growth can still occur. For this reason, we do not guarantee or give a time estimation on the performance of the fungal properties of the sealant.

Warranty

Soudal warrants that the product complies, within its shelf life, to its specification. The liability shall in no case exceed the amount fixed in our Condition of Sale. In no event is Soudal liable for any kind of incidental or consequential damage due to the product or environment that it is going into.

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