Choosing The Right Adhesives For Home Repair And Remodeling Projects

(HIT) - If you’ve ever done any remodeling or repair work around your home, chances are you’ve worked with adhesives. And if you’re like most do-it-yourselfers, there were probably times when the adhesives didn’t work on the first try, either because you didn’t prepare the surfaces properly, you used the wrong adhesive product for a particular application, or you just didn’t apply the adhesive properly for optimal results.

These tips from the adhesives experts at Macco Adhesives can help when choosing and using an adhesive for your next home remodeling or repair project.

Surface Preparation Is Key

Different household surfaces—and differing environmental conditions—require different types of adhesive for the best bonding results. But whatever the remodeling or repair project, "surface preparation is the key to bonding one material to another," according to Michael Running, president of Running Remodeling, Silver Spring, Maryland, and a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Contractor of the Year (CotY) award winner. "A dirty or greasy surface can cause even the best product to fail."

Make sure all surfaces to be bonded are clean and free of loose particles that can weaken a bond or cause it to fail completely.

Choosing The Right Adhesive Product

"Equally important is selecting the right adhesive for a particular bonding project," says Robert Juran, director of marketing, Macco Adhesives, Cleveland, a leading manufacturer of adhesives, caulks and sealants. To meet the requirmeents of different bonding situations, "Macco has formulated project-specific Liquid Nails® products," said Juran. "Each adhesive features unique properties that are best-suited to a particular application.

To help homeowners navigate the myriad of adhesives options available, Macco offers its Liquid Nails adhesive formulations in user-friendly packaging with project-specific applications clearly marked. This makes choosing the right adhesive easier, and misuse of adhesives much less frequent.

According to Juran, "consumers no longer have to search the fine print for a product’s application, since the name of the product itself defines what it can be used for, such as Liquid Nails for Wood, Parquet & Plank Floors."

With the appropriate adhesive product and the following preparation and application tips from Running, you’ll be better equipped for success when working with adhesives on a variety of common do-it-yourself remodeling and repair projects.

Hanging Paneling

Choosing adhesives to hang paneling can reduce the number of nails needed and the unsightly holes that accompany them. Liquid Nails for Paneling & Molding bonds so well that you’ll find you need only a few nails to install the paneling properly, according to Juran.

Make sure all surfaces are clean, dry and structurally sound before adhesive is applied. Apply a 1/4-inch zigzag bead of adhesive to each surface that the panel will be covering. Position panels so that edges meet at each stud center. Press materials firmly in place, pull away for one to three minutes, then press back into place. This allows for better and quicker adhesion.

Repairing a Laminate Countertop

Water can damage laminate countertops and cause the edges to lift up and separate over time. To repair this problem, Running suggests a simple application of contact cement.

All surfaces being bonded should be cleaned of any dust or loose, dried adhesives. With a brush, apply a liberal, even coat of contact cement to both surfaces being bonded. For small areas, you can apply the contact cement with a syringe, which can be purchased from a hardware store or home center.

You may need a utility knife to open the area more in order to get a better application. For extremely porous surfaces, a second coat should be applied after the first coat has dried. After both surfaces have dried slightly (per product labeling), clamp the countertop, using a block of wood on top and bottom to prevent damage to the laminate. Leave the blocks on for 24 hours, or longer in hot, humid conditions. According to Juran, Latex Liquid Nails® Contact Cement is ideal for laminate countertops and bonds instantly.

Adhesives For Deck Building

Because pressure treated lumber tends to dry out, a deck’s mitred corners may eventually separate. To help prevent this—and prevent the deck from squeaking when you walk on it—apply adhesive to joists before nailing. This double protection allows the planks to withstand the elements longer.

Ensure that all surfaces are clean and free of excess water. Some adhesives can adhere to damp wood, but the adhesive will take longer to cure. Apply a 1/4-inch bead of adhesive to joists. If you find the bead has skinned over or started to dry, scrape off and apply a fresh bead. Pre-drill nail holes to prevent splitting of wood and nail planks at every other joist.

Macco’s Liquid Nails Adhesive for Subfloors & Decks is a specially formulated weatherproof grade adhesive which can penetrate wet, frozen and treated lumber.

Take Care When Working With Adhesives

A final caution from Juran: "Be sure to read carefully all the safety precautions and instructions for use on the product packaging." Wear all recommended personal protective equipment, and follow manufacturer recommendations for ventilation.

Choose The Best Adhesives

Adhesives can save homeowners from expensive replacement of home furnishing and surfaces, and typically represent a very small portion of the overall investment in a home remodeling project. For that reason, when it comes to choosing the right adhesive for home remodeling and repair, it pays to stick with the best.

Liquid Nails has become one of the most recognized brands in the hardware industry. Since 1962, Macco Adhesives has developed the Liquid Nails product line into a broad range of adhesives, caulks, sealants, and home repair products for professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike. Every Liquid Nails product is formulated to offer the best possible performance for a given project. This project-specific focus, along with dependable quality and cutting-edge innovation, has made Liquid Nails America's #1 adhesive brand.

You'll find Liquid Nails at major hardware stores, building centers and lumber yards worldwide. For more bonding tips, or information about specific Liquid Nails products, visit your local building materials retailer or visit www.liquidnails.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center