Geocel, Dow Corning’s sealants and adhesives division, has launched a professional grade range of building chemicals. The Geochem range will cover the demands of any building project, the company claims.

The chemicals have been developed to be easy to use, effective, straightforward and failsafe. They feature no-nonsense product names, eye-catching packaging and comprehensive user support. The range includes bulding admixtures, surface treatments and dressings, tiling products, decorating sundries, tiling products, decorating sundries, bitumen and roofing adhesives, mastics and sundries

Sika's 'advanced technology' (AT) range of adhesives is designed to bond or seal any type of substrate.
Formulated using a new polymer, the AT range of products are designed to feature non-sag properties even at high temperatures. Highly durable, they don't yellow and are weather and uv resistant.
The range includes SikaBond AT-Universal (bonds a range of interior and exterior substrates), SikaBond AT-Metal (designed for metal facades, roof sections, coverings, seams and metal sheets) and Sikaflex AT-Connection (particularly suitable for window and door perimeters).

UniBond’s No More Nails (Ultra) is the strongest instant grab available in the No More Nails range, the manufacturer says. While it is expensive compared to other adhesives, it is extremely strong and will adhere to most building materials.

Easy to use and apply, it can handle pretty much everything including skirting boards, dado rails, architraves, coving, plasterboard, carpet and worktops. The grab adhesive is solvent free so is safe to use and dries white to form an almost instant bond. It is workable for 20 minutes and cures in approximately 24 hours.

Water based and non-flammable, The smooth white paste can also fill minor gaps in uneven surfaces. It is resistant to petrol, oils, weak alkalis and dilute acids, but not resistant to strong acids or strong organic solvents.

Technical specification:

Price: £5.98
Gap Filling: yes
Flexible: yes
Paintable: yes
Interior: yes
Exterior: no
Sealing and crack repairs: no
Temperature and uv resistant: no
Solvent free: yes

Related internet links:

UniBond website Printable guide to using No More Nails

Everbuild instant Nails works well both inside and out and can be used in vertical and horizontal positions.

It is solvent free and will even adhere to damp surfaces. There’s no problem overpainting it and, as it is solvent free, it can be cleaned up with water. It can be used to fill gaps but it isn’t flexible. However, to gain maximum adhesion at least one surface must be porous and, when used externally, it should be protected from rain until cured. In damp, cold or humid conditions curing time is extended.

The adhesive will stick wood, metal, pvc, most plastics, glass aluminium, concrete, render, stone, plasterboard, rockwool, Styrofoam and breezeblock. It will fix cladding direct to internal wall surfaces or timber battens and can fix battens directly to walls without the need for fastenings.

Technical specification:

Gap Filling: yes
Flexible: no
Paintable: yes
Interior: yes
Exterior: yes
Sealing and crack repairs: no
Temperature and uv resistant: no
Solvent free: yes

Related internet links:

Everbuild technical information
Everbuild safety information

Everbuild Pink Grip is an adhesive for the initiated but, once you work out how to fit the cartridge and use it correctly, it is as good as anything on the market at a fraction of the price. It is used with a standard applicator but, as there is no resealing cap, you must make sure you are going to use the entire cartridge for a job or the remainder will be wasted.

With a pink colour the product is easily recognised but, as it is not overpaintable, care has to be taken to make sure none is visible. It will bond to both porous and non-porous surfaces and has very good early and ultimate adhesive strength.

The adhesive offers gap filling properties to accommodate uneven surfaces and has good ‘nip off’ properties to prevent messy stringing. It can be used in both vertical and horizontal applications and employed inside and outside.

Areas for use include bonding dado rails, architraves and skirting, fizing parquet and cork flooring, fixings wall cladding to internal wall surfaces and battens directly onto walls. However, it cannot be used on damp surfaces or used no polystyrene, Styrofoam or expanded polyurethane. Heavy materials must be supported for at least 8-24 hours.

Technical specification:

Gap Filling: yes
Flexible: no
Paintable: no
Interior: yes
Exterior: yes
Sealing and crack repairs: no
Temperature and uv resistant: no
Solvent free: no

Related internet links:

Everbuild Pink Grip technical information
Everbuild website

Simpler to use than some of the other adhesives we have tried, Evo-Stik Liquid Nails (solvented) will bond a wide range of materials including cladding, battens, architraves and skirting as well as lightweight objects fixed vertically.

The adhesive can be used for gap filling, although the bead needs to slightly extrude at the edge to form a good bond. Any excess can be cut back during drying.

Liquid Nails is not suitable for certain types of structural work, while solvents in the adhesive may affects sensitive surfaces so it is wise to check it on a small area first. If it is to be used on large or heavy items on vertical surfaces it may be necessary to temporarily fix or clamp the item. Be sure to allow 24 hours before removing any temporary support.

As with all other adhesives, substrates must be free from dust and dry. Porous or friable surfaces should first be made sound with a surface consolidatinhg primer/sealer.

Technical specification:

Gap Filling: yes
Flexible: no
Paintable: no
Interior: yes
Exterior: no
Sealing and crack repairs: no
Temperature and uv resistant: no
Solvent free: no

Related internet links:

Evo-stik Liquid Nails technical information
Evo-stik Liquid Nails safety information

In its mean looking black cartridge Evo-Stik Serious Stuff certainly does look the part and, in terms of bonding, it does not disappoint. Supplied in a cartridge with a resealing cap, the adhesive will instantly bond wood, metal, brick, plaster, ceramics and plastics without the need for nails or screws.

The adhesive dries white, but it is not paintable or flexible and cannot be used to fill gaps. It can be difficult to apply the correct dosage but once the technique is mastered there are few adhesives with as much strength.

Its one drawback is a lack of technical information available and instructions are minimal.

Technical information:

Gap Filling: no
Flexible: no
Paintable: no
Interior: yes
Exterior: yes
Sealing and crack repairs: no
Temperature and uv resistant: no
Solvent free: no

Related internet links:
Evo-Stik website

The Sika Solid Wood Floor Installation Kit provides tradesmen with everything they will need to fit a 20m2 floor, in one handy pack. The kit includes SikaBond T53 adhesive, which makes light work of fixing solid or engineered wood planks, boards or industrial parquet.

Grab adhesives can be an invaluable tool for all sorts of jobs. Some provide quick and effective fixing on their own, while others just don't stand up. In the first in a series of product recommendations BuildersBox puts a number of the best known brands through their paces.

We've come up with our top five but if you think there's anything missing, or we have made a recommendation that just doesn't stick, then let us know.