Shelf life – Silicone sealants won’t keep forever in their tube as once the sealant is exposed to the elements. Keep nozzles attached at all times and if you live in a hot and humid environment, keep your silicone sealant in the fridge.

Even the best sealant won’t last forever – bathrooms are always going to be fairly humid, and this creates the perfect environment for mould and mildew. To keep your sealant looking new for as long as possible, make sure you keep your bathroom well ventilated and clean any excess water, shampoo and soap from the edge of your shower or bath. When we think of sealant, we usually think of it as being used to seal around ceramic showers, sinks and bathtubs, or wooden window frames, door frames and skirting boards. But increasingly, more and more elements and items in our homes are made of durable plastics like polycarbonate and uPVC. And because accidents still happen and gaps still need filling with this modern material, a sealant that is compatible with plastics is a great item to have in your toolbox. Fresh sealant may be cleaned with a cloth soaked in white spirit or alcohol (e.g., methylated spirit) Cured sealant can be removed by scraping (e. g. using a razor blade) or by using a special silicone remover product. These sealants can be used for many, many DIY projects; from fitting skirting boards, picture rails or crown moulding, to sealing sinks, baths and showers. Seal. Place the tip of the dispenser nozzle at one end of the joint you are sealing and gently but firmly squeeze the sealant gun’s trigger. Move along the joint steadily to create a smooth, continuous bead of sealant.

The best waterproof sealant

Evaluate the project. Think about what you need to do, what you’d like the finished repair to look like and what kind of tools and sealant you need.

Apply the sealant. Depending on the type of sealant you use there are lots of different ways to apply it. You might need a sealant gun, or the sealant might come in a tube so you can apply it directly. Just make sure to follow the instructions. Use a primer where possible – Primers don’t have a very long shelf life, but they can help improve the adhesion of your sealant.Brewers’ sealant is our top all-rounder choice because there aren’t any surfaces it can’t safely be used on. What’s more, as it’s a combined sealant and adhesive, it has even more uses and eliminates the need for multiple products. Clean surfaces – Clean surfaces thoroughly before using sealant, as residues can prevent a solid bond forming. You should also ensure surfaces are dry before application. All surfaces must be clean and dry, free from dust and grease or, anything which may be detrimental to correct adhesion of the sealant. Residues of old sealant or other materials as well as mould on the substrate must be removed completely (if necessary, use a silicone remover). To get best sealing results it is recommended to mask off edges of the joint with masking tape before applying the sealant.

You can also use Unibond’s Smoother and Remover tool to get rid of any excess sealant and smooth the sealant as you go along. Ensure long-lasting, mould-free protection & strong seals – with the UniBond Anti Mould Healthy Kitchen & Bathroom Silicone SealantREAD NEXT: Our favourite flooring for your bathroom The best shower sealants to buy 1. Dow 785+ Bacteria Resistant Sanitary Silicone: Best all-round shower sealant It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use, sealing joints around sanitary fixtures and can be used on perimeter joints around window and door frames too. You can use it for glueing panels, skirting boards, thresholds and insulation materials. It can also be used to seal and bond glass, porcelain, coated metal, epoxy and polyester panels, covered polystyrene, PVCu, stainless steel, anodised aluminium and finished wood. Phew. The most important step in learning how to apply silicone sealant: choose the right sealant for the job.