UPVC sealant question

ClintonWestwood · 25 Aug 2019

Good day. I'm new hear so not sure if something like this is posted often, apologies if so.

The sealant between my UPVC windows is mouldy. A couple of questions.

Can I remove the sealant? Is it just silicon sealant? Or is there another way to remove the mould.

Pictures of said sealant below.

Many thanks in advance.

Mottie · 25 Aug 2019

Is that condensation on the window?

ClintonWestwood · 25 Aug 2019

No. Just moved in and need a clean.

crank39 · 25 Aug 2019

It is mould from condensation but you can peel it off and reapply bathroom sealant with anti fungal additives in it, need to ventilate more though

opps · 25 Aug 2019

It is normally silicone so yes you can remove it.

Removing silicone is a real PITA though. I use a very sharp chisel to remove the majority of it and then silicone remover, followed up with a wipe down with meths. Then I apply the new (sanitary grade) silicone.

As Crank39 says, the mold is probably the result of condensation. If you have weep vents consider, leaving them open to aid airflow.

ClintonWestwood · 25 Aug 2019

Thanks Crank39. It seemed pretty well ventilated but I'll investigate it further. There's no condensation on the windows.
If I use a chemical to get rid of excess sealant, will it damage the UPVC?

ClintonWestwood · 25 Aug 2019

opps said:
It is normally silicone so yes you can remove it.

Removing silicone is a real PITA though. I use a very sharp chisel to remove the majority of it and then silicone remover, followed up with a wipe down with meths. Then I apply the new (sanitary grade) silicone.

As Crank39 says, the mold is probably the result of condensation. If you have weep vents consider, leaving them open to aid airflow.

Thanks opps. You've just answered my second question to Crank39. I'll check the vent stays open.

crank39 · 25 Aug 2019

You need a flow of air, open vents in the front and back of house and open doors to the rooms too. Silicone remover won't damage the PVC as that's what's it's designed for, silicone is magjw found on PVC frames

opps · 25 Aug 2019

ClintonWestwood said:
Thanks Crank39. It seemed pretty well ventilated but I'll investigate it further. There's no condensation on the windows.
If I use a chemical to get rid of excess sealant, will it damage the UPVC?

Most removers should be safe to use on uPVC. I normally use the HG or DowCorining removers but they will only remove traces of silicone (in spite of what the marketing bumpf says).

crank39 · 25 Aug 2019

After cleaning off the silicone give it a clean with some bleach and warm water to kill the mould spores, it's a living thing and may try to grow back elsewhere on the PVC, you can also buy mould killer from B&Q possibly even silicone remover

ClintonWestwood · 25 Aug 2019

crank39 said:
After cleaning off the silicone give it a clean with some bleach and warm water to kill the mould spores, it's a living thing and may try to grow back elsewhere on the PVC, you can also buy mould killer from B&Q possibly even silicone remover

Was going to enquire about that. I'm going to take a trip to B&Q and ScrewFix this afternoon. Any tips with applying the silicone? Or is it just a case of watching YouTube videos.

Thanks again.

crank39 · 25 Aug 2019

Ha ha yes it's an art, the trick isn't to pump the trigger in short little movements, use the whole length of travel in one continuous even squeeze, then all you have to focus on is how fast you need to move coupled with how much pressure you put into the trigger, get those two elements working together and it's a sinch, I can honestly seal up with my eyes closed after the first inch even stop starting, pumping the trigger will just give you more bumps from stop starting, one long pump will just give you one every foot until you get better at it then you won't see any joints

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UPVC sealant question

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