Silicon sealant

[electric1810]

whats the best Silicon sealant to use in bathrooms and shower rooms for sealing ???/

 

[Dan]

The best would simply be one that is easy to apply. Most Silicon sealants should resist mould and such-like so just try and find one that's easy to apply. Or. Checkout www.cornertape.co.uk available from www.ctdtiles.co.uk.

 

[dock]

Hi
Make sure you get a "decent" Silicon, If its 99p a tube chances are that the product is rubbish. Bear in mind that in order to reduce formulation costs most silicones these days do not contain a fungicide so the resistance to microbial and fungal growth is questionable. A few contain an additive that is put in during the filling into cartridges process i.e. post manufacture and this can lead to zones of protection AND zones where there is no protection within the Silicon.

Mapei Mapesil AC contains a fungicide introduced during the manufacturing process so it is evenly distributed throughout the Silicon bead following extrusion during application. It is also available in 27 colours (including translucent).

dock

 

[Ger]

Silicon sealant exposed to the shower environment deteriorates. Deterioration is most pregressive at the ledge/wall joint.

Sealux offer BS compliant movement joint seals for the ledge/wall joint that conceal the sealant from the shower envirinment.

Check out www.sealuxportal.com

 

[dock]

Silicon sealant exposed to the shower environment deteriorates. Deterioration is most pregressive at the ledge/wall joint.

Sealux offer BS compliant movement joint seals for the ledge/wall joint that conceal the sealant from the shower envirinment.

Check out www.sealuxportal.com

Sorry GER I have previously been involved with formulating Silicon sealants and do not hold the same view with regard to deterioration of silicones in showers

dock

 

[Ger]

I do agree with dock in that there is a lot of rubbish on the market and I assume the view held might not include jurisdiction over those products which I believe do deteriorate. It is also widely acknowledged that the tearing or de-bonding of Silicon along the ledge/wall joint can occur as a result of tensile stresses attributable to the effects of differential joint movement.

 

[Gazzer]

Bal Mapei and Dunlop are all good sealants in my opinion. If i wanted a coloured sealant my choice would be Mapei. If it was just white then Bal or Dunlop with Microban. I found the Dunlop a little stiffer to use than Bal but that may have been just down to that batch.

 

[bigandy]

i use dow corning but also granfix was nice to use

 

[Big-Smudge]

whats the best Silicon sealant to use in bathrooms and shower rooms for sealing ???/

Hi Electric,

I'll throw in my pence worth. Since we embarked on the cornertape project we have come up with a few interesting bits of information and practices which maybe weren't apparent before. I'm sure at least, a couple of these could explain in some part the premature failure of some joints. I don't mean from mould but from the Silicon de-bonding and coming away from the surfaces.

Because of how the cornertape works it has highlighted a problem that we don't believe anyone gave a thought to in the slightest. This being 'the surfaces may be clean' but are they 'degreased', it is quite obvious that if you apply Silicon to a surface that has not been 'de-greased' correctly then the Silicon will not bond to it as effectively. There are many cleaning wipes out there that are great at removing wet Silicon from places that you didn't want to get it, but if used to wipe the surface down before the application of Silicon, all you'll be doing is ensuring that the surface is covered in a thin layer of solvent/oil and hence the reason that Silicon joints pull away from the surfaces like a long piece of string at some point.

Also it appears that some people also use oils and the like to remove grout haze from newly installed tiles, again this is also bad practice for obvious reasons.

CornerTape don't do Silicon and I can safely say that the finish you will get from using CT will be perfect regardless of the type of sealant used (cheap or expensive) at the time of application. However we do agree with other comments on here i.e you get what you pay for or at least your customer will in the future.

I have also seen quite a few bath installations where the Silicon was sat below the top surface of the bath, this is just asking for problems, like mould because water will just sit on top of the Silicon and never dry out. There are lots of posts on here about the correct way to seal a bath.

So to re-cap - DEGEASE the surfaces before doing any Silicon work with pure ethanol. -CornerTape System Cleaning Wipes are perfect.

Buy a Silicon that clearly states that it is 100% Silicon with a mould inhibitor.

Best regards

Andy

P.S i'm sure someone will have their own views on my comments.

 

[hillhead]

Mapei for me,great gear even if it is a bit pricey.

 

[DHTiling]

BAL Microseal

A unique, high performance, waterproof and mould-resistant Silicon sealant especially formulated with built in Microban® antibacterial protection, to inhibit the growth of black mould and bacteria, such as Listeria, Salmonella and E-Coli. For interior and exterior use. Bonds to glass, ceramic, acrylic, fibreglass and glazed or painted surfaces.

lovely stuff!!!

 

[Dumbo]

I use forever white, it come in clear and ivory and has microban in it. Any views on this product?

ted

 

[aflemi]

I'm using Bal Microban white for sealing round shower trays, what's the best solvent/product to use for wiping off excess completely?
ps I know about cornerjoint but think expensive, sorry....

 

[David - Tradetiler]

we are doing Forever White

Tradetiler Tilers Silicon and tools

 

[Tubsy]

i'll pop in dave and pick up some more forever white also need some more of the silicon finishing tools.....brill kit

 

[andleivers]

Dow Corning mostly or Mapei if the sealant needs to match the grout colour.

Both are easy to use and give a good finish.