Indispensable for seal in an environment particularly exposed to humidity, silicone gaskets are ideal. Easy to install, they however require a good preparation of the support and a precise dexterity. Here are some tips to follow for perfect silicone seals that will stand the test of time.
Preparation of the substrate before the installation of silicone seals
The preparation of the support is fundamental – whether there have already been joints or not yet – because on it will depend the longevity of the silicone joints and their grip. If there are already seals but these are worn or unstuck, it is necessary to remove them first. To do this, proceed as follows.
Apply a joint remover paste. This is a product that softens used silicone gaskets to make them easier to remove. It is applied using the tip located at the end of the tube, for more precision. This type of product also has the advantage of reinforcing the adhesion of the new joint.
Be careful howeverthe joint remover paste should not be applied on plastic coverings for which it is recommended to use a plastic joint remover spatula whose tip facilitates the removal of used seals without damaging the supports. Its squeegee tip also allows easy cleaning of putty residues. If you use the joint-removing spatula, just insert the blade under the old joint, slice it then pull it to remove it.
Then apply a thick layer of gel silicone in order to dissolve the residues of the old joint. For an optimal result, it is necessary to mark a break time of about 120 minutes. At the end of this time, all residues can be removed using a damp sponge and a plastic squeegee.
Finally, all that remains is to degrease the support with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Apply silicone joints on a clean support: mode of operation
Once the old seals have been removed and we have started preparing the support, we can finally make the new silicone seals. Of course, we took care to buy:
- A cartridge of anti-mold silicone sealant,
- An extruder gun,
- masking tape,
- Un cutter.
We start with place a strip of tape above the area intended to receive the seal and a strip below to protect the supports (wall, bath, shower cubicle, washbasin, etc.). The ribbon is cut with a cutter.
Then you have to prepare the cartridge as follows. We cut the tip in order to be able to screw the cannula, then with the cutter it is necessary to make a straight cut in order to cut the end of the cannula so that it is of the same width as the slot where the joint will be made. The cartridge must then be inserted into the extruder gun as indicated on its packaging by the manufacturer. Finally, it is necessary tostart the rise of the product into the cannula by actuating two or three times the trigger gun then remove the cap.
This tool is not difficult to use. However, if it is a great first, it is not useless to test on a piece of cardboard before embarking on the installation of the silicone seal. Once you are familiar with the extruder gun, all you have to do is get started. We proceed as follows:
- Position the tip in the slot to be filled then pull towards you gently et very regularly sans no interruptions because the silicone seal must never be interrupted.
- When all the joint is done, it only remains to finger smooth. It is necessary for that to deposit on the tip of the index of the soapy water. The passage of the finger on the silicone seal must be very regular, without jolts and without interruption.
- As soon as the smoothing of the joint is finished, it is necessary remove masking tape.
- Let the silicone gaskets dry for 24 to 48 hours before use.
Silicone gasketing is on the rise because it really can be done by a DIYer. Be careful, however, if this type of seal is installed in a rounded shower cubicle, the technique is the same but it is necessary to have a little experience to obtain a perfect result. The tightness of the sanitary installation depends on this.
Whether in the bathroom or in the kitchen, it is in any case very important that the joints are well made. This avoids the water infiltration which can cause big damage medium term. We therefore do not rush the work, and if we do not feel up to the task, there is no complex to have: we entrust the site to a professional after requesting a quote.