Combating Mould And Mildew With Bathroom Sealant

By Author: Andrew Richards
Total Articles: 32
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Apart from being deeply unattractive mould and mildew can cause some nasty allergies, ranging from sore throats and coughing to eye irritation and inflammation. Mould and mildew love warm damp conditions and for this reason they are most commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens. If left unchecked they can also lead to rot and further damage, so the sensible DIY man or woman will try to combat them before they get chance to take hold. Bathrooms in particular need careful attention and a good bathroom sealant is essential in the battle against these smelly and unsightly little patches.

The most vulnerable areas in a bathroom are of course, baths, showers, sinks and toilets. Anywhere water can spill down unsealed cracks and crevices will pose a risk and a good sealant should be used to stop this. Modern bathroom sealants usually contain fungicidal chemicals, to add an extra level of protection. Bathroom sealants are silicone based and these days they come in variety of colours making it possible to find a product that will match most colour schemes. Silicone is an easy material to use and is usually supplied in easy application ...
... tubes which work in conjunction with a silicone or decorator's gun.

Applying the sealant

Before sealing around the edges of a bath it's a good idea to fill the bath with water - most baths will have a certain amount of ‘give' when they are full and the gap between the walls and edges of the bath may become a little larger when filled. Though the difference in size of the gap is imperceptible, over time this small amount of movement can loosen the silicone sealant opening up the crack and allowing moisture to penetrate.

Once you have fitted the tube of sealant to the gun, you will need to cut the end of the nozzle to apply the sealant. Getting the hole in the tip of the nozzle the correct size is a crucial and finely balanced task. The hole needs to be the right size to provide enough sealant to fill the gap, while for a neat finish and to avoid wastage it should not be too big.

Place the nozzle at the start of the run you are going to seal and squeeze the gun gently, for an even finish try to apply the bead of sealant in a single stroke -if this is not possible don't panic - try to keep the pressure on the gun constant to create a bead of an even thickness.

Finishing touches

Once you have an even bead of sealant filling the gap you can use a rubber pipe to smooth the sealant - but the simplest and most effective method is using a finger - wet the tip of your finger and smooth the sealant to a good finish. To clean off excess sealant on surfaces an old cloth or paper towel will do the job, while use plenty of hot soapy water to clean your hands.

A good quality bathroom sealant will cure quickly and provide a neat finish which will protect your bathroom for years to come.

Bathroom sealants and applicator guns are available for fast delivery and at competitive prices from Somafix.co.uk, whatever the job; SomaFix has the materials for you.