One of the most common causes of shower leaks is when the sealant – aka the ‘white stuff’ that forms a seal around the shower tray – has either been applied poorly or naturally wears down over time. When this happens, it can leave the surface exposed and greatly increase the risk of water damage.
Fortunately, it’s easy to remove the old sealant and apply a fresh new layer to form a durable watertight seal. All you need is a few handy tools and a couple of hours of your time to get the job done right.
Use these handy tools to carry out the best shower sealing method:
- Retractable blade or knife
- Shower sealant
- Sealant application gun
- Thick safety gloves
- Roll of masking tape
- Dry cloth
- Mineral turpentine
- Pointed spatula
How to Reseal Your Shower
Step 1 – Remove Old Sealant
First, you need to gently remove the old sealant and prepare the surface for the new layer.
Put on a pair of thick safely gloves to protect yourself from injury. Then use a sharp blade or knife to cut into the old sealant and scrape it off the surface. Be careful not to push the blade too far into the sealant or else you may scratch the surface.
If you find the sealant isn’t coming off easily, you may need to apply caulk remover onto the sealant to loosen it up.
Step 2 – Clean and Prepare the Surface
Once the sealant has been removed, you’ll need to clean up the bits of leftover debris and dust. Take the bottle of turpentine and pour a tiny amount onto the dry cloth. Gently glide the cloth across the remaining surface to remove these pieces – repeat until the surface clean.
To prepare the surface, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or debris. Then wipe the surface with a clean dry cloth until the surface is completely dry.
Step 3- Prepare the Outer Surface
Before you apply new sealant, you want to protect the surrounding surface from a potential spill.
Stick a layer of masking tape both above and below where you’re going to apply the new sealant. Leave a gap of about 2-3mm from the wall to the joint, and vice versa for the floor to the joint – so there’s enough room for the new sealant to settle.
Step 3 – Apply New Sealant
First, take the sealant tube and equip it to the application tool. Then use a pair of scissors to cut the application nozzle at a 45-degree angle. There should be markings on the tube that indicates where you need to cut.
Now you’re ready to apply the new layer of sealant.
The best shower sealing method is to start from the inner corner of the shower tray. Gently apply pressure to the application trigger and apply a continuous stream of sealant around the perimeter of the shower tray. If necessary, re-apply sealant to cover up any potential gaps in the surface area.
Step 4 – Smoothen the Surface
Carefully inspect the new layer of sealant to confirm all gaps have been properly covered up.
While the sealant is still wet, use the pointed spatula to smoothen out the solution and make sure it covers the desired area. Be careful not to smoothen the sealant too much or else it may crack or fray. From there, remove the masking tape and use a dry cloth to clean up any excess sealant around the area.
Step 5 – Wait to Dry
Let the new sealant dry for at least 24 hours before you reuse the shower.
Shower Sealed have over 25 years of experience in shower sealing and repairs. To have your shower professionally sealed by the best technicians, call 1300 519 133 for a free quote.
