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How To Seal Around A Basin Or Bathtub

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How To Seal Around A Basin Or Bathtub

Learn how to seal a basin or bathtub using silicon or caulk. This process of silicon sealing stops water penetration into joints around wash basins, bathtubs or shower trays. Learn how to seal a basin or bathtub using silicon or caulk. This process of silicon sealing stops water penetration into joints around wash basins, bathtubs or shower trays.

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Prepare the area

First you will want to remove any old silicon from the work area. This can be done with a utility knife. Any contaminants like oil and grease could prevent the silicon from bonding so clean the area thoroughly with alcohol.

Step 3: Load the silicon gun

With a knife cut the tip at 45 degrees keeping the hole fairly small. This will give you better control over the amount of silicon released.

Now you can pop the silicon seal. Many silicon guns have a tool to do this built on them. However, if yours does not, then a long nail or something similar will work. Now load the tube of silicon into the gun.

Step 4: Time to Seal

Silicon sealing can be tricky. You may want to first practice on a test piece if you have never done it before. Use the corner of a cardboard box. This will give you a feel for the gun and the rate of the silicon flow.

Now begin to gently apply seal around the desired area. For best results hold the gun at a 45 degree angle. You want to apply the caulking in an even and steady manner. Be careful not to apply too much as it can be tricky to remove the excess. When you come to the end of the area you plan to seal then release the handle and give it a quick pull to eliminate any strings.

Step 5: Tooling

Tooling is the process of using your finger to create a seamless, clean bond between the sink and the silicon sealer. Gently pull your finger around the silicon to complete the seal. Now wipe away excess silicon from your finger, and allow to dry.

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Tips & Comments
  1. tayloa17

    came here hoping to find professional guidance, luckily i got some good tips from the comments. but it's back to youtube i think.

  2. Louisvilleplumber

    A very good video on applying a silicon seal around a basin. It really is a good idea to practice as shown if you have never done this before. More plumbing tips from Plumbers Louisville Ky are avaiilable.

  3. Razors

    Great tip - practising with the cardboard box. Should have taken more care over the finishing. The silicon should hardly be seen but you have made it a bit of a feature in this instance with a nice wide ring.

  4. hett

    I fear that the finish may be poor as there would be a large surplus amount left around the work area.

  5. instone

    great tip using the cardboard for pratice.

  6. tgentle

    Umm, I would only follow this advice if you are happy for your end result to look as terrible as that in the video. This really is a job for a practised hand.

  7. Anonymous

    The only other tip I would add, is if you use your finger to tool the sealent, first dip your finger in some washing up liquid then do it. Wipe off excess sealant from your finger with kitchen roll, wet finger again in w.u. liquid and so on. It reduces any drag and gives a nice smooth finish. When dry (next day) wipe over with a damp cloth that will remove the w.u. liquid and clean the seal.

  8. Anonymous

    This is the blind leading the blind. The perfect example of getting a nasty thick and very noticeable white splurge around your sinks and baths. No wonder so may home bathrooms have these horrible jointing jobs. Silicone around baths and sink are meant to seal while not "framing the job" if done well you should barely be able to see the silicone, unlike the horrible job above "sorry guys you tried but if you really don't know how to do a job well, then leave you tutoring out" On a sink like above you should cut an even smaller hole in the tip of the gun (at 45 degrees) and PUSH the gun, never pull, like shown here. If you push the gun as it passes over the silicone it shapes the seal into a lovely, tiny quadrant of seal which will barely be noticeable and seals better than a wide finger pushed joint with its paper thin edges, which peal and discolour. Don't be tempted to touch the joint after. Let it dry and gently rub of any little over flow tracks after (you will see what I mean) Presto a beautiful sing without an ugly Plastic gummy frame. Stephen

  9. Anonymous

    use a jointboy silicon tool as this gives a more professional finish to the edges, buy this tool from QVC shopping channel uk, i did and it works !!!

  10. straydog

    That's brilliant. I bought all the materials needed about 4 months ago.. but hadn't done it cause I was unsure how to do it right. Now I know how. Thanks.