Using leak seal as a deadener seems like an ineffective solution for noise. But if your room has gaps and small holes on the wall where noise can pass through, a leak sealer can be a perfect sound deadener. However, you first need to know how to use it correctly so it can serve its purpose.
Leak sealants initially work to stop water leakage, but it also inhibits noises from getting in a room. To use such, you only need to apply it to the gaps where noises are passing through. Once the leak seal sets, it will absorb the majority of sound waves and vibrations.
A leak seal can no doubt reduce the number of sound waves infiltrating your room or home. But of course, you have to know the pros and cons of using it before proceeding with the process.
How to Use Leak Seal as a Deadener (Step-by-Step)
Sound waves are like water. They can easily pass through minor gaps and break the silence within your home. It is even more complicated when these gaps are so small that you will not find them easily.
But once you find these gaps, one of the most effective methods to stop noises from passing through them is a leak seal.
The purpose of a leak seal is to prevent water from getting into the holes on your roof. Such sealants are flexible, so it does not crack and adhere well to wood, metal, and concrete. But apart from stoping water leaks, you can also use a leak seal as a deadener.
Moreover, you will need a few materials for the process:
- clean cloth
- leak seal
- putty knife
- stiff brush
That said, here is a step by step guide in using leak seal for minimizing noise within a room:
1. Clean the area of the gap
To ensure excellent adhesion, clean the area that you need to seal before applying the sealant. Ensure that the site is arid so that no moisture will get locked in and damage the bond later.
If there is old caulk on the gap or hole that you need to seal, scrape it off using a solvent remover, putty knife, and a stiff brush.
2. Apply the leak sealant
Once the area is arid, the next thing you need to do is to apply the leak seal as a deadener. If the sealant you are using has an applicator, make sure to hold it at a 45-degree angle. This way, you will be able to apply the leak seal deep into the crack.
If you are holding the applicator at the right angle, you will force the sealant into the crack when you squeeze the bottle.
But if you are using a leak sealer that does not have an applicator, use a putty knife to push the seal into the cracks.
Additionally, have a putty knife in hand when doing the job. Once you see the sealant oozing out of the crack, you can use the putty knife to push it back. This way, you can ensure that you are filling the inside of the gap well enough.
3. Apply the sealant in one straight line
When applying the leak seal, use it in one, straight, and continuous line if possible. It is necessary to avoid stops and starts as they cause seams in the caulk. Those seams may decrease the strength of the seal once it sets and shrinks.
Additionally, make sure that you apply enough leak sealer to fill the hole or gap. You can always clean off the excess on the sides, but it will be difficult to add if you do not apply enough.
4. Seal both sides of the gaps
It is important to note that a leak sealer will work better if you apply it to both crack sides.
It is essential to seal gaps and holes as secured as possible. That said, you need to apply a leak sealer on both sides of the area you are fixing. This way, you can ensure that no sound waves will pass through the problem area.
How To Find The Holes and Cracks That You Need To Soundproof
Detecting the cracks and holes that you need to seal can be difficult. Such is especially true if those holes are too small for your naked eyes to see. So, before using a leak seal as a deadener, you first need to know how to detect those gaps and holes.
Water test
When checking if a crack goes through both sides of a wall, one thing aside from the visual test that you can do is to perform a water test. Water the surface where you suspect the crack is. You have to make sure that you use enough water for this method.
If the crack goes through both sides of the wall, water or moisture should also be present on the other side of the area that you tested.
Light test
It would be best if you had a relatively dark environment for this test. Make sure that the room where you found a crack on the wall is dark enough. This way, you will be able to see the light that you will shine on the gap if it passes through it.
In addition, you will need help from another person for this process.
Once you have ensured that the room where the cracked wall is is already dark, go to the other side of the wall that has a problem. Have a flashlight with you and ask the other person to remain in the room.
Once everything is ready, get your flashlight and place its light in front of the crack. Next, ask the person on the other side to check if the light passes through the wall. If it does, you can proceed to use your leak sealer as a deadener. (source)
Sources
- Family Handyman, How To Soundproof A Room, https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-soundproof-a-room/, accessed October 8, 2021.
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Soundproofing, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundproofing, accessed October 8, 2021.
- Steve Hamilton, How To Fill A Hole In The Exterior Concrete Wall Of A Home Before Painting, https://homeguides.sfgate.com/fill-hole-exterior-concrete-wall-home-before-painting-29891.html, accessed October 8, 2021.
- C. Maierhofer et al., Active Thermography For Evaluation Of Reinforced Concrete Structures, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/crack-detection, accessed October 11, 2021.
- Bob Vila, Do’s And Don’ts Of Repairing Drywall, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/repairing-drywall/, accessed October 11, 2021.