Manky Silicon

[Daz]

I was asked to quote to do an en-suite today, customer wants existing tiles removed and then re-tile full bathroom.

The plastered walls outside the shower area look as though they have absorbed water over the last five years - so problem no.1.
Customer has removed a tile from the shower enclosure and there is no sign of tanking so that was my first piece of advice.

The white silicon around the base of the shower tray was black with mildew in the corners - can anyone advice the cause of this, please, and how do I prevent it from returning after I have tiled and re-silioned?

I'm going to seal the grout with Sealguard as an extra means of protection, but I really need to be sure that the silicon stays white as the customer has a real issue with this - your help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Burnsy]

Quite simply - clean. Most silicones now have an anti-fungal agent - BAL have Microban. Best to read the back of a tube and follow manufacturers guidelines. Things won't stay clean if they are not maintained though

 

[frogeye]

Have to agree - I have used the Bal microban - even though I was told it was no better than normal Silicon - but so far it has performed superbly - this goes for the microban grout too - considered a grout sealant, but so far so good without

frogeye

 

[Big-Smudge]

I was asked to quote to do an en-suite today, customer wants existing tiles removed and then re-tile full bathroom.

The plastered walls outside the shower area look as though they have absorbed water over the last five years - so problem no.1.
Customer has removed a tile from the shower enclosure and there is no sign of tanking so that was my first piece of advice.

The white silicon around the base of the shower tray was black with mildew in the corners - can anyone advice the cause of this, please, and how do I prevent it from returning after I have tiled and re-silioned?

I'm going to seal the grout with Sealguard as an extra means of protection, but I really need to be sure that the silicon stays white as the customer has a real issue with this - your help is appreciated.

Thanks

Captain Slow,

I know that BOSTICK have a new Silicon coming out in the next few weeks called 'ANTI GERM' it has properties that kill some of the most common nasties MRSA etc (apparently) and also anti mould, it sounds good, maybe the ultimate and of course if you use 'cornertape' the customer will have the ultimate finish as well, you can't loose, hehehe.

Never miss a chance
Andy@ct

 

[MICK the Tiler]

Mould and mildew need dark, warm, humid, still air to grow all the things a bathroom especially a shower recess provide. By simply telling your client to keep shower screen door open after showering and using extraction fan as well as opening the window will make life tough for mold.

 

[Monsoon]

Captain Slow,

I know that BOSTICK have a new Silicon coming out in the next few weeks called 'ANTI GERM' it has properties that kill some of the most common nasties MRSA etc (apparently) and also anti mould, it sounds good, maybe the ultimate

Just seen the ad for this product.

I think it's oppotunism on the part of the corps, jumping on the back of scaremongering.

Their ad states that it's *only* been tested for 1 WEEK! on it's ability to kill MRSA.

You have to ask why they only exposed the product to one week of germs when you would expect the product to be in situ for years in a 'real life' situation.

It also identifies the real problem is gaps and cracks in the Silicon. Clearly, if a solid bead of Silicon is applied then germs will be removed during the normal cleaning process used on the worktop.