Bathroom Sealant – Keep it Looking Crisp and White

If you have taken the time and spent the money to get your perfect bathroom, the last thing you want is yellowing and even mouldy sealant a few months down the line. It happens to the best of us. It seems that sealant only lasts for a limited period and eventually you end up with black specks which will not scrub away and seem to have infiltrated the very sealant itself.

We use sealant around most of our bathroom items. It will be used between tiles and the bath or shower, between the wall and a shower door, along the back of the sink and even between the toilet and the floor. Making sure you are using the right sealant product, applying it correctly and looking after it are very important.

Any problems with your sealant could easily lead to water getting where it shouldn’t and issues with mould, damp and rotting wood or plasterboard and unstable fixtures.

Of course once your sealant has reached the mouldy stage there isn’t very much you can do other than replace it. Thankfully this is a simple job which anyone can do.

• Visit your local DIY store and search out white sealant which is both flexible and has an anti-mould ingredient.
• Use a stanley knife to break the sealant edges where they meet the tiles and the bath or shower tray.
• You can use methylated spirits to break down the sealant to help you to scrape away as much of it as you can from the gap. It is important to leave the area as clean as possible, so take your time doing this.
• Apple the new sealant in a long thin bead running along the entire length. Most sealants will come with a nozzle which is designed for this job.
• Dip your finger in a mix of dish-washing liquid and water and then run your finger along the bead, wiping your finger as you go. Your finger will glide along the sealant making it smooth and pushing it into the gap.

While this process may seem easy, you really want to avoid this happening if at all possible. So how do you avoid sealant becoming mouldy and stained?

• Choosing the right sealant is the first important step. There are a number on the market which contain a fungicide and are designed for wet areas. Some even offer a guarantee which will give you peace of mind.
• Ensuring your bathroom is generally free from mould will help ensure that your sealant stands the test of time. This means you should regularly air your bathroom and use extractor fans and windows to prevent a build up of condensation.
• Try to avoid having sections of sealant where water can build up. Your bath needs to be evenly positioned and there should be no dips or furrows in the sealant where water could sit causing a stain.
• Clean the sealant regularly with a good anti-mould cleaner or even just white vinegar. Wipe the seals after every shower or bath to ensure that it remains as dry as possible.
• Also think about the products which you use in your shower or bath. If they are highly coloured or you wash your hair which is coloured this could build up over time causing the sealant to discolour. This is particularly true if you colour your hair in the bath or shower. You may want to consider covering the sealant if this is the case.

Sealant is an essential part of your bathroom makeover and you can’t do without it. But choosing , applying and looking after your sealant correctly will lead to it looking great for many years to come.

If you found this post useful, you may also be interested in - How to remove & replace grout from tiles - How to Remove Bathroom Mould - How to Fix a Dripping Tap.

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