Wet areas silicone

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eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#237839 20-Jun-2018 13:39

I'm looking for wet areas silicone which doesn't get mouldy after few months. I've tried quite a few of those X years anti-mould warranty but they are all the same (-> useless, develop black spots after short while).

Is there such a thing as (actual) anti-mould wet areas silicone?

Thanks

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20175 posts

Uber Geek

#2041051 20-Jun-2018 13:56

It shouldn't. Do you have good ventilation, and does the fan stay on for 20 minutes after using the shower?

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041058 20-Jun-2018 14:01

I mean the silicone used in wet areas - around baths, showers, vanities - areas wet from running water not condensation...

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2041061 20-Jun-2018 14:04

Application is really really important - the surface needs to be completely sterilised before application with silicone - you need to wear gloves to avoid introducing oils and bacteria from your skin, avoid using tape or anything that might sit behind the silicon that isn't a hard surface as it will be a source of mould that cannot be killed by bleaching it from the top layer of the silicone - an example would be a shower dome which sits on plastic rails - people often use double sided tape to hold the rail in place while the silicone dries - few years later mould starts forming through the silicone in spots where the tape would be.

I've seen a few people who should know better using their bare fingers to apply silicone and remove excess little wonder it gets mould later.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#2041067 20-Jun-2018 14:24

What rphenix said.

Bleach the application area then clean up with hot water followed by a volatile solvent compatible with the silicon. The one I used in our bathroom was acetic acid cure, which made it very easy.

Mike

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041112 20-Jun-2018 14:48

I never knew that. Thanks for the tip!

Bung

6501 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2041127 20-Jun-2018 15:11

Check the latest installation instructions for your shower etc. Instead of applying a bead of sealer on the inside of the shower where it easily goes mouldy the instructions now usually have the sealer where it doesn't show or on the outside edge of the glass trim.

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041201 20-Jun-2018 15:31

Bung: Check the latest installation instructions for your shower etc. Instead of applying a bead of sealer on the inside of the shower where it easily goes mouldy the instructions now usually have the sealer where it doesn't show or on the outside edge of the glass trim.

This is where the tiles meet (overlap) the bath tub edge.

Sharesies

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scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#2041204 20-Jun-2018 15:42

Yep nothing wrong with the silicon, it's the bacteria present or introduced when applying. I cringe when I see people using their bare fingers to smooth it down...

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#2041214 20-Jun-2018 16:01

Disposable glove and dip the finger to be used in solvent (check compatibility with glove first).

Mike

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2041305 20-Jun-2018 19:22

Which silicone did you use? Assuming that the bathtub is a plastic one. Some of the bathroomware manufacturers only allow Sikasil NG silicone to be used. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sika-300ml-arctic-white-sikasil-ng_p00291043

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041329 20-Jun-2018 20:30

Aredwood:

Which silicone did you use? Assuming that the bathtub is a plastic one. Some of the bathroomware manufacturers only allow Sikasil NG silicone to be used. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sika-300ml-arctic-white-sikasil-ng_p00291043

Yes, plastic one. I've tried a few different ones, can't remember them all (but Selley's was one of them). Does the higher price really make it better?

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2041330 20-Jun-2018 20:30

MikeAqua:
What rphenix said.

Bleach the application area then clean up with hot water followed by a volatile solvent compatible with the silicon.

Bleach won't kill mould spores, it just removes visible signs. To really kill it, treat the area with anything containing benzalkonium chloride before you apply the silicone, that's an antimicrobial agent that will actually kill the mould and keep it from reappearing.

You can't buy BZK directly but can get it in a very small number of mould-killers, just read the active ingredient list. 95% of mould killers are massively overpriced bleach, 4% are whatever pointless "natural" goop the vendor feels peddling, and the remaining 1% actually work. Some varieties of "30 second" mould killer for example are BZK.

nickb800

2723 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2041331 20-Jun-2018 20:31

Having a mug of water and dishwashing liquid on hand to wet your finger (gloved or otherwise) will help with smoothing it out

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041333 20-Jun-2018 20:38

neb:
MikeAqua:

What rphenix said.

Bleach the application area then clean up with hot water followed by a volatile solvent compatible with the silicon.

Bleach won't kill mould spores, it just removes visible signs. To really kill it, treat the area with anything containing benzalkonium chloride before you apply the silicone, that's an antimicrobial agent that will actually kill the mould and keep it from reappearing. You can't buy BZK directly but can get it in a very small number of mould-killers, just read the active ingredient list. 95% of mould killers are massively overpriced bleach, 4% are whatever pointless "natural" goop the vendor feels peddling, and the remaining 1% actually work. Some varieties of "30 second" mould killer for example are BZK.

That's good to know - list of BZK cleaners would be really helpful if anybody knows any...

eph

187 posts

Master Geek

#2041336 20-Jun-2018 20:41

nickb800:

Having a mug of water and dishwashing liquid on hand to wet your finger (gloved or otherwise) will help with smoothing it out

Another great tip (though I've already knew this one :))!. Any tips how smoothly silicone around tiles and avoid the dips where grout is?

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