How to apply silicone sealant behind bath taps with ease 📺👌💧#satisfying #masticman, by South Coast Sealants Ltd on YouTube. 2 min 15 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 15 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Cut out the old seal with a silicone remover or sharp scraper. Work along the back edge of the bath behind the taps and pull the strips away in one piece where you can.
Clean the joint thoroughly with degreaser or methylated spirits and let it dry completely. Silicone will not stick to damp, soapy or dusty surfaces.
Run a strip of masking tape on the bath and on the wall or tile, leaving a gap the width you want the bead, usually 5 to 8 mm.
Fit the cartridge into the gun and cut the nozzle at a 45 degree angle to roughly the width of the gap. Pierce the inner seal.
Push the bead into the joint at an even pace, keeping steady pressure on the trigger. Work from one end behind the taps to the other in a single pass.
Smooth the bead straight away with a profiling tool or a wet finger. Wipe the tool after each pass so the silicone stays neat.
Peel the masking tape off while the silicone is still wet, pulling it away from the bead at a low angle.
Leave it to skin over and cure for the time on the cartridge, usually 24 hours. Keep the bath dry and do not run water over the joint.
Tips and common mistakes
Fill the bath with water before you seal, then drain it after curing, so the bead sits at the weight it will carry in use.
Wear gloves and open a window, since silicone and its solvents can irritate skin and give off strong fumes.
Do not spread the bead with a dry finger, as it drags and leaves ridges.
Buy sanitary silicone rather than general-purpose sealant, or mould will return quickly in a wet bathroom.
Questions
How long before the bath can be used?
Wait at least 24 hours, or the time printed on the cartridge. Water and steam during curing stop the silicone setting properly.
Why does the old silicone keep going mouldy?
Usually because the joint stayed wet or the wrong sealant was used. Sanitary-grade silicone plus a fully dry surface gives the longest life.
Can I seal over the old silicone instead of removing it?
No. New silicone will not bond to old sealant, so it lifts within weeks. Strip it back to clean tile and bath first.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
