Kitchen Silicone Can Enhance Your Home Diy Projects

By Author: Andrew Richards
Total Articles: 32
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Kitchen silicone is a very useful product which will allow you to finish off your worktops and sink areas professionally. This silicone can be used to seal gaps between walls and units and will prevent food debris from building up. This helps to keep your kitchen clean and sanitary. This sealant is also waterproof and can help to stop water from seeping down behind cupboards and hard to reach places. This will prevent damp patches from forming which can encourage the growth of mould and mildew.

Tips for Using Kitchen Silicone

Kitchen silicone is easy to use and will dry quickly. However it can be difficult to get that smooth, professional finish. This is a very adhesive product and if you try and wipe away any excess with your fingers you will soon get in a mess. Here are some tips to help you use kitchen silicone effectively:

- If there is already old silicone in place then you need to remove this thoroughly. You can use a sharp tool to gently scrape out the silicone and you can also get professional silicone sealant remover. This will dissolve any old (or new) sealant and make sure the area is clear ready ...
... for a new application.

- Before you start to apply the silicone make sure the two surfaces you are sealing are clean and dry. To help guide you when you are piping out the silicone put a line of masking tape along each surface. This will also help to pick up any excess silicone as well.

- It is important not to use too much silicone as this can be difficult to smooth over without making a mess. To help get an even spread squeeze out the silicone as you are running the tube along the gap. Don't stop until you have got to the end to prevent any blobs or uneven patches.

- Now dab a tiny amount of washing up liquid on your finger and run it down the line of silicone to smooth it off. If you have any large clumps you can use a damp cloth to carefully wipe it away, but take care not to remove any silicone from the gap you are trying to fill.

- Before the silicone is dry gently peel back the masking tape and run your finger down the line one last time to remove any final ridges or bumps.

- Leave this for 24 hours before carrying out any more work in this area so that it can cure thoroughly.

- A useful tip for sealing around sinks is to fill them with water first and leave them full until the silicone has dried. This will prevent the sealant from cracking or coming unstuck when you start to use the sink properly.

Types of Silicone Sealant

There are many different types of silicone sealant on the market. If you are working in kitchens then it is important to use the product designed for this area. Kitchen silicone is designed to withstand water, mould and grease and will last much longer than other silicone sealants when used in this environment. You cannot paint over kitchen silicone with ordinary household paint so it is best to paint walls and trims first before you apply the silicone. Kitchen silicone is generally only available in white or grey.

Kitchen silicone is used to seal areas around your worktops and units. This hygienic product will help to prevent the build up of food and damp in your kitchen.