Products from the “just add water” series have won a prominent place in various areas of production and consumption. The dry soluble mixture can be anything from chicken broth and oatmeal to cold medicine and fertilizer for garden plants. Powder for dilution with water is convenient, compact, economical, including in construction. Dry mixtures are a relevant word in the field of processing and repair.
We are used to being extremely responsible towards construction: in this matter, as nowhere else, weather conditions, speed of work, strict adherence to technologies are important, and here the role of dry construction mixes is difficult to overestimate. But also in everything related to interior decoration, perfection is achieved thanks to the exact choice and correct use of materials.
Mixtures are all important
The variety of types of dry construction mixtures is not just a product of the irrepressible imagination of manufacturers, but a strict necessity. There are so many mixtures precisely because a serious and conscientious approach to processing requires the use of a special type of mixture for each situation (character of the surface, area of application, type of accompanying materials, for example, facing tiles). Gone are the days when virtually the same cement-sand solution diluted to the eye was used for all types of work. Today, a lot of attention is paid to the development of new materials, as this allows to reduce the labor intensity of finishing works, while maintaining the high quality of the result. Finishing works account for about 35-40% of the total amount of labor costs required for the construction of the building, so without optimizing this process.
The most minimal interior decoration of the house involves plastering and putty work, for which it is convenient to use ready-made dry mixtures. In a newly built house, a certain level of curvature of walls, floors and corners is always permissible. This is not a defect, but it still requires correction. That is, for the wallpaper or tiles to “lie” perfectly on the walls and floors, the surfaces must first be leveled. However, dry mixtures will be needed not only for leveling work. Adhesive compositions, decorative plasters of various textures and colors, paints, poured floors – all this exists in a convenient “powder” form.
The choice of the mixture most suitable for a specific surface is determined primarily by the degree of porosity of this surface, its ability to absorb moisture. This characteristic determines the adhesion strength of finishing materials to the base. On relatively dense, low-porous bases, it is better to apply a primer with high adhesion. Universal priming compounds are applied to bases of medium porosity. And for a very porous, loose surface, it is better to use a deep-penetrating wax. By the way, the amount of penetration should be taken into account when calculating material consumption – it can be significant.
Conditions and results
It is well known that the advantage of dry mixtures is the possibility of transportation and long enough storage at various temperatures. However, when working directly with the prepared material, the temperature conditions must be taken into account. As a rule, the normal temperature for working with the solution is approximately 5 to 25 degrees. More precise requirements are indicated in the instructions on the package of the mixture, and for quality materials, the instructions are always specific and detailed.
It is possible to work with dry construction mixtures at a temperature below zero. A modern developer who does not want to postpone housewarming for a season has the opportunity not to interrupt work in cold weather. Manufacturers of mixtures offer antifreeze additives that lower the freezing point of the solution and extend its viability. An alternative to additives is special ready-made mixtures for working at sub-zero temperatures.
The method of preparation of the mortar is another component of quality work with a dry construction mixture. Manufacturers of mixtures scrupulously measure the ratio of substances in their product and count on the same scrupulousness on the part of the builder who will prepare the solution. (When preparing a mixture of sand and cement, the builder is not able to ensure the exact dosage, which makes the quality of the composition impeccable. On the contrary, the ready-made dry mix, to which only water needs to be added, is intended to be the perfect material for a specific task.) Frivolous relation to the proportions of dry matter and water is not allowed. It happens that for greater ease of laying the solution, an excessive amount of water is added to it, and because of this, the strength of the material decreases, it dries longer than it was laid, it shows strong shrinkage,
The normal time of hardening and shrinkage of the enclosed material is different for dry mixtures with different compositions. In general, mixtures that use cement as a binder require the most patience: they are considered to fully “ripen” 28 days after laying. Gypsum-based mixtures are much more mobile: the surfaces covered with them harden in 6-8 hours and can be put into operation after a week. Therefore, and because gypsum is an environmentally friendly and dust-free material that creates good thermal insulation, gypsum mixtures are actively used for interior decoration and are becoming more and more popular over time. Another important advantage of gypsum is that it can regulate the humidity and temperature regime in the room, absorbing excess atmospheric moisture, and when the air dries out, it gives moisture back.
To each his own
Today, dry mixes delight with the variety of their functions. They are used on walls and floors, in bedrooms and bathrooms. Such a seemingly mundane thing as plaster can create surfaces of different quality and appearance. You can imitate the texture of stone or get walls of beautiful color, which, moreover, will not fade for a long time. Plastered surfaces will serve for years without dusting and without cracks.
Indispensable mixtures intended for the device of poured floors. The presence of polymers in them gives the floor high wear resistance, the ability to resist shock loads, elasticity and resilience. And for the device of a warm floor, manufacturers produce compositions that can withstand significant temperature changes, have improved thermal conductivity and resistance to the appearance of cracks. These mixtures allow laying quite quickly – the solution can be applied immediately in a thick layer, without fear of cracking.
The use of special compositions is necessary for the decoration of surfaces in wet rooms: bathrooms and shower rooms, saunas, baths. The mixtures intended for these premises create a waterproofing layer that prevents the penetration of moisture into the structures.
No matter what the scope and variety of use of dry mixtures by best kitchen remodelers, focusing on a trusted brand will help you not get confused and get a quality result. As a rule, a line of products of the same brand, which includes primers, plasters, adhesive mixtures and other special compositions, assumes good compatibility of compositions. If guaranteed compatible products are selected for finishing works, and their instructions for use are carefully studied and followed, an excellent result is guaranteed.
