Bath edge silicone long term solution ideas

stoobloo · 30 Nov 2019

I have an ongoing issue with the silicone sealing edge along my bath against the wall.

Firstly whichever anti mould sealant I've used, they always go black after about 4-6 months. I've tried 5 different brands, from recommendations to reviews supposedly the 'best', etc.

Secondly, my bath does flex enough when filled with water that the elasticity of any silicone bead tears away from the bath, allowing water in - I suspect eventually causing the mould.

The bath is on fixed solid wood floor boards, and has packing pieces and adjustments made in the feet to ensure it is spirit levelled accurately.

Does anyone have any longer term ideas for this or am I destined to replace the silicone every 4-6 months?

HERTS P&D · 30 Nov 2019

CT1

Andy

jj4091 · 30 Nov 2019

https://www.uksealants.co.uk/sikafl...ixnMad0-I-kJ74gPFUK6otEL22Au65O0aAgP6EALw_wcB

timbo46 · 30 Nov 2019

And fill the bath before applying the sealant.

cdbe · 30 Nov 2019

Fill bath to brim. Black silicone.

lostinthelight · 30 Nov 2019

timbo46 said:
And fill the bath before applying the sealant.

Instruction says it not necessary using CT1.
https://www.ct1.com/product-applications/a-universal-bath-sealant/

johnny2007 · 30 Nov 2019

Soudal stay fresh and regular cleaning.
Surfaces must be perfectly dry before applying silicone.

https://www.toolstation.com/soudal-...eSlCOW9nOLLCZb0xGGolm4Hxz_hbu-scaAiEYEALw_wcB

foxhole · 1 Dec 2019

Mould is airborne , you need better ventilation . Doesn’t really matter what silicon is used , none is immune .
Long term solution is to refit the bath , should not be movement at edge and reseal .Room needs a fan used whenever the room is .

stoobloo · 1 Dec 2019

johnny2007 said:
Soudal stay fresh and regular cleaning.
Surfaces must be perfectly dry before applying silicone.

https://www.toolstation.com/soudal-...eSlCOW9nOLLCZb0xGGolm4Hxz_hbu-scaAiEYEALw_wcB

Have used Soudal before. First bath use a week after it had been applied small tears could be seen between the bath and the sealant.

The bath has always been filled before applying fresh silicone to clean and dry surfaces.

Have not tried CT1 before so perhaps that would be worth a try before the 'marine grade' sealant at nearly £100 per tube!

Thanks all.

lostinthelight · 1 Dec 2019

If the bath is moving so much as as to tear silicone like that then you need to find the cause because thats excessive .
You may have the bath level but thats no guarentee that the weight is distributed evenly between all feet.
Has there always been a bath in its present position and is it fixed to the wall or a batton under the rim?

stoobloo · 5 Dec 2019

lostinthelight said:
If the bath is moving so much as as to tear silicone like that then you need to find the cause because thats excessive .
You may have the bath level but thats no guarentee that the weight is distributed evenly between all feet.
Has there always been a bath in its present position and is it fixed to the wall or a batton under the rim?

I think that the (fibreglass) bath is flexible in it's nature, and with enough force, i.e. a bath full of water and a person added, it just has a certain amount of flex that has always caused small tears in the silicone seal - as soon as that happens everytime there's a shower water gets trapped in the small gaps, and from within the strength of the silicone breaks down with mould, and eventually tears more and more, breaking the seal.

There's a side issue in the corner of the bath where it actually curves downward in to the corner slightly, enough to trap a small puddle of water - and although it's always towel dried after a shower, some water left is inevitable and adds to the problem.

The CT1 does 'appear' to be promising as it is very flexible. I hope this will improve it, I shall see in due course...

foxhole · 5 Dec 2019

Bath should be cut into wall so there is no drop in corner and edge supported fully along entire length with a timber baton fixed to wall below rim.

domdee · 11 Dec 2019

bacteria in your spit used for smothing the sealant can cause the mould believe it or not. watered down wash liquid is best.
i just use basic sanitary sealant and never have a problem.

diynot

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Bath edge silicone long term solution ideas

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