Bathroom sealant helps to prevent leaks and protects your home against water damage by creating a waterproof seal around baths, showers, toilets and sinks. It is typically made from silicone, acrylic, polyurethane, or a blend of these materials. 

When does bathroom sealant need replacing? 

Over time, sealant can become discoloured and mouldy as it wears and comes away from the surface. This can be caused by a number of things, from poor application and movement of bathroom fixtures to general wear and tear. 

Given the warm and humid conditions bathrooms provide, when there are gaps in the sealant, mould is prone to gathering. As well as looking untidy, damaged sealant can lead to water getting in. While this might not seem like much, over time it may cause significant water damage to the home.

Replacing bathroom sealant is a DIY task that most people can carry out by following a step-by-step guide.

How do you replace bathroom sealant?

  1. Apply sealant remover to the existing damaged sealant and use a remover tool to pierce and scrape it away. 
  2. Clean the surface with mould remover. Different removers may need to be left on for different amounts of time, so always follow package instructions. 
  3. Depending on product instructions the mould remover may need to be rinsed away, then leave the area to dry.
  4. Working from one side of the tile to the other, apply a steady flow of your new sealant using a cartridge gun. 
  5. Smooth your new sealant using a sealant smoother tool before leaving to dry.

The benefits of bathroom DIY

The obvious benefit of being able to complete basic bathroom DIY tasks, like replacing sealant, is the money homeowners and landlords can save. 

There is also the fact that you won’t have to wait around for a professional who will likely have a long waiting list. If damaged sealant is causing a leak, being able to replace it quickly could prove potentially priceless in preventing more substantial damage. Likewise, in cases where mould has gathered, you’ll want to eradicate it quickly due to the health risks associated with it.

Other types of simple bathroom DIY that most people can expect to complete themselves with some basic know-how include things like tiling, regrouting and basic plumbing tasks. For homeowners who would like the ability to tackle these kinds of jobs, introductory trade courses are a great way of building up the necessary skills to confidently do so.

"I now know how to take out the grouting and how to regrout and how to replace the silicone. I want it to be lovely and clean when people move in and not all grotty." Read Suzanne's story to find out why she wanted to learn tiling and plumbing as a landlord.

Able Skills offers several of these introductory courses that have been built with complete beginners in mind, including ones focusing on Plumbing, Tiling and Plastering. You can find more information about all of these online, and if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call on 01322 280 202.