To make sure you are getting the most out of your sealant it is important to know which factors will impact its shelf life and how you can increase the longevity of your products. As keeping your sealant in the wrong environment could potentially cost you valuable product, that will need to be replaced.

Storage Tips for Silicone Sealant

It is important when storing silicone sealant to ensure that the product is kept away from areas that are prone to frequent temperature fluctuations or exposed to direct sunlight. It is best to keep your sealants in a cool, dry place.

If you are storing sealants in bulk, making sure to stay organised is key to preserving the shelf life of your product. Keeping track of the age of your products and their expiry / shelf life is crucial. It is important that you regularly inspect your sealant for hardened products, so that it can be replaced as needed.

Factors Affecting Silicone Sealant Lifespan

Whether you have purchased your silicone sealant in bulk or are trying to preserve the life of your sealant at home, it is important to know which factors will affect its storage lifespan.

Here are some of the factors to consider:

• Expiration date

The shelf life of silicone sealants is about a year. A tell-tale sign to determine if sealant has expired or spoiled is if the sealant has completely hardened or will fail to harden and cure.

• Temperature 

Silicone sealants can be applied in higher temperatures however, it is not best practice to store them in high temperatures. Storing the sealant in either extreme heat or cold can ruin the consistency of the silicone sealant. It is best to store the sealants in a cool, dry place between 5℃ and 25℃.

• Moisture / Humidity Level

 Despite the sealant typically having moisture resistant properties, prolonged exposure to excess water, and humidity can cause the sealant to cure and harden prematurely.

• UV Exposure - 

Some sealants may be formulated to be UV-resistant however, prolonged exposure to sunlight in storage can impact effectiveness and hinder the performance of the sealant.

• Air Exposure - 

Once exposed to air, the curing process of the sealant will begin. If air leaks into the cartridge, it’ll start to harden and crack, becoming completely unusable. It is important that when storing sealant, it is kept airtight and no air is able to seep into the cartridge.

Signs of Expired Silicone Sealant

Before beginning a project using silicone sealant, it is important to test the sealant to determine its condition and performance. Typically all silicone based sealants have a one year shelf life.

Here is what you should be looking for to establish if your sealant has expired or not:

Apply a small bead of the product onto a scrap piece of wood or cardboard. 

If after around 20 minutes the product has not begun to form a ‘skin’ or has not started to become touch dry, it is most likely expired and will not fully cure.

Alternatively, if the sealant has hardened and cured in the cartridge, it cannot be used and will most likely have expired.

Extending the Shelf Life of Opened Silicone Sealant

Properly storing leftover sealant is important to ensure you are not wasting unused product, so that you can use it again at another stage as opposed to buying a brand new cartridge. To make sure your product does not begin to cure prematurely or spoil, here are some tips below to preserve the shelf life of your opened silicone sealant.

• Cut and Tape the Nozzle 

For this you can either use some cling film or aluminium foil. Push a little bit of caulk out so that it is sticking out the nozzle, and then wrap the sealant nozzle in several layers of your chosen material. Having the caulk stick out the top, will keep any air from entering the cartridge and curing the sealant.

• Nail / Screw Method 

For this you will need either a nail/screw and some masking tape to hold it in place and make sure the opening is fully sealed. It is important that you choose a nail/screw that is slightly bigger than the nozzle opening. You will then push the nail into the nozzle, and wrap it in some masking tape, which should then prevent any air or moisture from entering the cartridge.

• Using Tape

You should begin by removing any excess air from the tube, ensuring that the sealant is pushed up near to the nozzle. Use a piece of electrician’s tape, and secure tightly around the nozzle, covering the cartridge’s opening. Once the tape has been applied, you’ll want to smooth and press the tape tightly to the nozzle to secure it as much as possible.