
The concept of using MS Polymer sealant in pipe repair applications is relatively new. Which is hardly a surprise as these hybrid sealants and adhesives have only been around since the turn of the millennium.
MS Polymers were originally introduced to the construction market as a non-staining sealant and adhesive, aimed at end-users sealing high-end materials like granite and marble. The price point of these initial MS Polymers reflected their specialism.
But as a greater number of manufacturers began to produce their own MS Polymers, it became a more affordable option for a wider market including day-to-day tradesman.
With their long-term performance and ease of application, MS Polymers are now used everywhere. Industrial settings. Domestic bathrooms and kitchens. To rectify bodge jobs. And as we are about to discover, as an extremely effective pipe sealant.
What are MS Polymers?
MS Polymers combine some of the best features of other types of traditional sealants in one product. They come with the flexibility and UV stability of silicones. Can be painted like acrylics. And they have the toughness and durability of polysulphides.
MS Polymers are non-hazardous, odour free and contain no solvents or diisocyanate. This means they will not be covered by the upcoming 2023 EU REACH legislation governing the safe use of diisocyanates and require no mandatory safety training before use.
What makes MS Polymers really popular though is their versatility. They can be used on materials including cast iron, plastics, concrete, tiles, wood, stone and more. They even bond and cure to wet surfaces and underwater. Which brings us nicely onto pipe repair.
Using MS Polymer as pipe sealant
Because MS Polymers seal and fill a wide range of materials and are effective on wet surfaces, they are increasingly being used to repair cracks and splits in low-pressure pipework such as drain, waste and sewer pipes.
Take an ageing cast iron downpipe, for example. A significant longitudinal crack is discovered in it. An epoxy putty repair is possible, but it would take some time to mix and apply enough material to fill the crack.
An MS Polymer offers a much faster and convenient alternative. It is extruded from its cartridge using a standard sealant applicator gun directly into the crack, where it will rapidly harden to seal the damage.
Cracks and splits in low-pressure cast iron, plastic and concrete-lined pipes can be filled in less than 10 minutes using this method – depending on the cure time of the MS Polymer in question.
Users who can benefit from using MS Polymer for pipe repair
The speed in which MS Polymers seal pipework makes them an obvious product choice for end-users frequently required to repair low-pressure pipework.
These include drain engineers, gutter repair specialists and facilities management teams. Being able to arrive on-site with an MS Polymer to hand for an instant repair reduces downtime and disruption.
But MS Polymers also benefit users making DIY pipe repairs in their homes. With prices starting from as low as £8 for a 310ml cartridge, they represent a significant saving on hiring a plumber or other expert to fix low-pressure pipes around a domestic property.
Situations when MS Polymers cannot be used for pipe repair
There are situations where MS Polymers cannot be used for pipe repair. You may have noticed the term low-pressure has popped up frequently throughout this article and there is a very good reason.
MS Polymers are suitable for drain, waste and sewer pipes but they struggle with pipework where pressure is more than minimal.
Epoxy putties should be used for such applications, such as water supply pipes. A fully cured epoxy putty offers pressure resistance up to 30 bar. For context, mains pressure in the UK is normally up to 3 bar.
And although MS Polymers adhere to wet surfaces and underwater, they cannot be used on live leaks. Water escaping a pipe at pressure will blow the MS Polymer out of the crack or hole it is intended to fill before it hardens sufficiently.
Live leak pipe repairs instead require a waterproof self-fusing silicone tape which amalgamates to itself as it is wrapped around a pipe, forming a solid rubber band to maintain pressure over the leak.
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