Sealing in the bathroom

Is it time to replace the sealant around your bath? Our step-by-step guide will help you re-seal your bath and protect your bathroom from any unnecessary leaks!

What do I need to seal a bath?

To seal a bath using a silicone sealant we recommend the following equipment:

• Sanitary Sealant - e.g. Stay Fresh
• Cartridge Gun
• Joint Smoothing Tool
• Safety Cutter
• Masking Tape
• Finishing Solution

If you are removing existing silicone, you will also need:

• Sealant Removal Tool or Safety Knife
• Sealant Remover

Alternatively, if you do not wish to use a sealant, you can instead use a self adhesive sealing strip. The easy to use strips adhere to most sanitary materials and provide a watertight seal around showers, baths and sinks.

How to remove old sealant?

If you are replacing old sealant around a bath, the first step is removal of the existing silicone. Use a Sealant Removal Tool or Safety Knife to separate the sealant away from the bathtub and the wall, then extract all silicone material from the joint. Take care not to scratch any surfaces in the process.

You can remove any leftover silicone residue using Soudal's Silicone Remover.

How to seal a bath?

TIP: Fill the bath with water before applying any sealant to prevent any future cracking when taking a bath. Do not empty the bath until sealant is fully cured.

1. Make the surface clean and dry

Remove dirt, dust and grease with a clean cloth. You should degrease non-porous surfaces with an alcohol or paraffin based product. Dry the surface.

2. Tape off the joint edges

Use masking tape to neatly tape off the joint to ensure a straight edge. Make sure that the joint is 5mm wide on each surface.

3. Open the cartridge

Cut the top of the cartridge with a safety cutter. Turn the nozzle onto the cartridge and cut the end off at an angle. You get the best result if the nozzle opening is the same size as the joint to seal. Place the cartridge in the caulking gun and squeeze the handle until the sealant appears.

Note: Bathroom sealants can cause stains on natural stone. Do you have marble, bluestone or another natural stone surface in your bathroom? Use Fix ALL Flexi to seal your joints.

4. Start sealing

Place the nozzle where you want to start sealing. Squeeze the handle and move the caulking gun along the joint in a smooth motion. Apply sufficient sealant to ensure that the product adheres well.

5. Smooth and remove the tape

Wet your finger or putty spreader in a soapy solution or Soudal Joint Finish. Smooth the joint and immediately remove the masking tape. Smooth carefully again to smooth away any protruding edges.

6. Rinse with clean water

Use a plant sprayer with clean water to lightly remove any soap residues.

Also useful:

• Soudal Cleaner & Degreaser is a powerful cleaner for quick remove all grease and dust from surfaces.

You can find all information about the use, shelf life and composition of bathroom sealants in the technical specifications on our product pages.

What is the best sealant for sealing a bath?

With so many options available on the market, it is important to choose the best sealant for the application.

Stay Fresh is the ultimate anti-mould and food safe silicone sealant. Specifically formulated to prevent mould growth, Stay Fresh is a permanent end to unsightly mould and fungus, discolouration and adhesion problems. The premium silicone sealant is suitable for sealing in sanitary areas prone to high humidity - bathrooms, showers and kitchens.

Fix ALL Flexi is an all in one hybrid sealant and adhesive. The highly flexible sealant is suitable for all sanitary sealing applications, and does not stain on the natural stone surfaces, unlike most 'silicone' sealants. It is also suitable for use on wet surfaces and areas prone to high humidity. Flexi can also be used as an adhesive, allowing you to bond and seal bathroom fixtures with a single product!