How to Use Flex Seal: A Step-By-Step Guide in 2023
Almost anywhere in your house can develop cracks and leaks. Calling your repairman each time a leak or break pops up in your home can be expensive, which is why a versatile liquid called Flex Seal comes into play. Flex Seal is a thick rubberized liquid sealant that can fill holes and cracks in everything including roofs, gutters, skylights, and more.
This durable rubberized coating is formulated to start as a liquid, whereby it seeps into holes and cracks then dry out to form a flexible watertight rubber. It creates a waterproof seal after drying out for 24 hours or a full day. The product is mildew-and-chemical-resistant and prevents the occurrence of rust and corrosion.
Today, I’m going to teach you how to use Flex Seal coating for the DIY project both inside and outside your house. Remember, you can use this liquid rubber sealant coating on almost any surface including wood, fabric, glass, concrete, tile, masonry, aluminum, drywall, cement, vinyl, etc. Most importantly, it neither sags nor drips in the summer heat, plus it won’t peel or crack in the winter cold.
Steps For Using Flex Seal: How to Use Flex Seal
1. Get the Area Prepared
Irrespective of how you wish to use the Flex Seal, the very first step involves preparing your project area. A well-ventilated space – such as the garage with an open door – could be the perfect space to get the job done. If you enjoy working outdoors, make sure to choose a day without rain, hail, sleet, or dew.
Now, having chosen your project area, go ahead and spread a drop cloth on it. Covering the area with a drop cloth will prevent the spilling of Flex Seal liquid on unwanted areas. You can also slice a few onions or apples in half and arrange them in the area to absorb the Flex Seal fumes.
2. Clean the Surface
Clean your surface by wiping off any dust or dirt on it. For caked-on dirt that is a little difficult to remove, get a damp rag and wipe down the surface with cleaning solution. For surfaces affected with rust, sand it off before applying the Flex Seal liquid.
Sanding the surface before moving ahead with the application will enhance the adhesion for Flex Seal liquid. It is crucial to wipe the surface dry because Flex Seal liquid proves effective on a dry surface, even though it stills works on wet areas.
Depending on the type of project, a painter’s tape may be needed to section off the areas requiring treatment. For instance, if you want to fix leaks in your gutter outside, you will need to tape off the edges around the gutter. Then, spray the holes with Flex Seal liquid for effective results.
3. Apply the Flex Seal Liquid
You can apply the Flex Seal liquid in three ways as shown below:
(i) Roll the Flex Seal liquid
I believe your surface is now fully prepared and you are set to apply the Flex Seal liquid. Brush or roll the Flex Seal liquid over an extensive area in an even motion. Do not focus exclusively on a small region where the leak occurred.
Instead, roll the Flex Seal over a larger area than the size of the leak. Then, wait for at least 24 hours for the coat to dry before applying another one. I recommend applying several coats so that all cracks and holes can get filled. Flex Seal requires 24-48 hours to cure.
(ii) Dip the Flex Seal Liquid
Dip the object into the Flex Seal in slight swirling motion. Once the object gets coated, take it out of the Flex Seal liquid and drain the excess liquid back into the container. Clip or hung the object and allow it to dry on top of your drop cloth, forming a super-strong rubberized non-slip coating on the surface.
(iii) Pour the Flex Seal Liquid
Last but not least, you can apply the Flex Seal by pouring it directly on the cracked surface. By use of gravity, the Flex Seal can seep into the holes, cracks, and hard-to-reach areas. Make sure to pour the Flex Seal liquid continuously until all cracks and holes on the surface have been filled.
