Removing old pedestal sink- well siliconed in

[silver50]

Hi

Hope right place for this as I know not exactly a plumbing question as such!

I had serious nightmares a few weeks ago removing an old shower enclosure due to edges being siliconed onto tiles. Well now I could do with removing this sink which is also well siliconed onto tiles into a corner. I don't think it's actually screwed on to wall, just lots of silicone!

I can access above and below the sink ok. Any good suggestions for cutting through the sealant. Is there anything like cutting wire I can buy to "saw" through the silicone.

Any suggestions/experience of this appreciated.
PS not worried about the excess left on tiles, I can deal with that ok, just separating sink without removing the tiles!!

 

[newbuildinstaller]

try silicone eater, put its on the silicone leave it and then try

 

[silver50]

Thanks for your reply, but I think slicing through it in some way is needed. I bought screwfix silicone remover recently to use on the remnants from the shower screen and it wasn't very successful. We're talking about silicone squidged right down the sides/back of the sink

 

[HERTS P&D]

Use a long old bread knife and cut down between the sink and tiles.

Andy

 

[silver50]

Cheers

The thought crossed my mind to try and get hold of a fairly flexible bladed bread knife. Might be about the best plan.

 

[petertheplumber12]

Thanks for your reply, but I think slicing through it in some way is needed. I bought screwfix silicone remover recently to use on the remnants from the shower screen and it wasn't very successful. We're talking about silicone squidged right down the sides/back of the sink

If you can use a form of grinding wheel, sharpen a hacksaw blade by removing the teeth and making that edge knife like. And use washing up liquid to keep it lubricated. Grip the blade with a cloth wrapped round it. Or wear gardening gloves.

 

[silver50]

Many Thx

Sounds a good idea. As you say a very sharp but long blade would be ideal

 

[petertheplumber12]

Good luck

 

[Burnerman]

+1 for the old breadknife.....nice and thin and flexible (with handle )
John

 

[Charnwood]

Fishing line sometimes works.

 

[HERTS P&D]

For catching fish.



Andy

 

[silver50]

Thanks for replies. I had wondered if there was some kind of sharp wire I could have used, some sort of cutting wire but I don't think anything exists like what I imagined. In theory it seemed a good idea so as it could be held in such a way as not to scratch the tiles incase any were seen which aren't seen below the basin at the moment

 

[kidgreen61]

Remove a 12" hacksaw blade from its frame, wrap a cloth around one end and away you go, be through it in seconds

 

[silver50]

thx again for all the replies

I actually tried a junior hacksaw blade a couple of weeks back on the shower enclosure uprights but it seemed to snag (to my surprise) a bit on the silicone. I have got some good bigger blades so can give them a try, also looked out a flexible fairly thin bladed bread knife I'm hoping works well. Be getting round to this end of the week I think

 

[wrathkeg]

if you're still thinking of a thin wire, i'd imagine a (steel) guitar string would work. something like a top E like the hacksaw blade you'd have to wrap it round something at each end.

i've used a flexible filling knife in this situation.