How to seal a bath

Sealing a bath should be a straightforward task however that doesn’t mean you should attempt it without any planning and research. There a many different types of sealants ranging from lead sheet sealant to acrylic sealant. Therefore, when sealing a bath, you will need one that is water-resistant and seals well with the bathroom fixtures. Using sealant around bathroom fixtures will create a fresh and watertight appearance as well as protect against leakage and mould.

Sealants like Soudal are easy to find and are available at any DIY store across the country. However for the best in class, we suggest visiting our online shop where we stock all the products used by professionals in the construction and design industry.

How do I seal and reseal a bath?

Before starting the project make sure you have all the tools and products you need to complete the task. The last thing you want is to get ready to start the project and find out you missing something. If you are sealing a bath with silicone sealant then you will commonly need the following products: safety gloves, masking tape, safety knife, caulking gun safety glasses, silicone sealant (which can be purchased here at the BC Profiles store) and silicone applicator.

Additionally, please consider what material your bathroom is made from. For example, if your bathroom is made from marble, bluestone, or natural stone then silicone sealant could stain it and therefore you may need to consider an alternative.

Additionally, if you are re-sealing a bath then you will need to take a preliminary step before applying the new sealant. Using a removal tool such as a Sealant Removal Tool or Safety Knife remove the sealant from the bathtub and adjacent walls. Make sure to avoid causing any damage to the bathroom fixtures whilst doing this. Once this has been completed you can begin to apply the new silicone sealant.

Primarily, ensure that the surface you are working on is clean and dry. Remove and scrub away dirt with a clean cloth. You can degrease these non-porous surfaces with a paraffin-based product and Soudal offer an incredibly effective range that can perform this duty. Secondly using masking tape, you can tape off the joint. This will create a clean finish once the task is complete. The joint should be 5mm wide. Using a safety cutter, you can remove the cartridge on the sealant by cutting it. The nozzle is then screwed onto this cartridge. The cartridge should be placed in the caulking gun and gently squeeze the handle or trigger until the sealant appears. A good tip is cutting the cartridge nozzle at an angle to allow for the sealant to come out more easily.

Having prepared these steps, you can begin sealing the bath. Carefully squeeze the handle on the caulking gun and move it gently move it across the joint. Make sure that you use enough sealant so that the area is sealed effectively. Wet your finger and use it to smooth the joint. This will create a more natural finish. Once done, remove the masking tape and cure any protruding edges of the sealant. Finally, spray the surface with clean water and remove any remaining soap.

What if there is a large gap between the bath and the wall?

In some cases, the bath may have a large gap between the wall and the fixture and in this case, you may require a slightly different approach. Remove the existing silicone or grout, and attempt to move the bath closer to the wall. At this point you will then be able to re-apply the silicone in the same method as spoken about above. However, if you have a freestanding tub you may want to make some adjustments. Flexible caulking strips are the most effective method. Cut the tape safely, remove the back and then apply it securely in place.

Sealing baths and using sealant is very effective and simple to do however for first timers it can be anxiety inducing. If this is your first time using sealants and if you have any questions regarding sealing a bath and the best products, please contact our customer support team. They are well equipped to answer any of your questions and provide you with recommendations on which sealants would best suit your project and brands we believe could help you.