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How to seal a shower unit?

December 2021

By opting for a high-quality and well-installed shower unit, we can be sure that it will be watertight. It could start leaking if it was poorly fitted. The problem of a leaking shower tray can also arise during its use. Fortunately, this can be dealt with very easily.

A leaking shower tray is a nuisance. Accumulating water in hard-to-reach places will eventually lead to the appearance of mold, and getting rid of it is not always easy. It is therefore advisable to seal the shower unit as soon as you notice it’s leaking. What to buy and how to seal the shower unit?

Contents

Leaky shower unit

You will probably be puzzled by splashed walls or a puddle of water on the floor before you diagnose the cause of the leakage. Before you start sealing your shower tray, you first need to make sure that it’s necessary. You should verify if the water leak is not a one-time occurrence because, for example, the shower doors were not closed properly. However, when the situation persists, you will need to take a closer look at the entire shower unit to find out where the leakage occurs. The most common place which need sealing is the joint between the shower tray and the shower wall or door. All you need in this situation is silicone for shower enclosures.

In the store, you will find different types of silicone. Not all of them can be used to silicone the shower unit. On the shelf we will find for example glazing silicone, roof sealant, construction silicone, masonry sealant, universal silicone and sanitary silicone. The last one is what you’re looking for to use the bathroom. The bathroom has a specific microclimate with high humidity, so every material that is used there must be resistant to mold and dampness.

Sealing the shower tray or the shower enclosure

How to seal a shower enclosure with silicone? It is not difficult and you can do it by yourself without involving professionals. Just follow these recommendations. First of all, before sealing a shower tray or a shower enclosure we must remove the old sealing. A solvent or a knife will help here, and then the place needs to be well cleaned and degreased. To avoid unsightly stains on the shower tray or the shower enclosure panes, the edges should be secured with, for example, painter's tape. Finally, all we need to do is fill in the gaps using a sealant gun, wipe the grout and wait 24 hours, until the silicone is completely dry. During this time, the shower unit shouldn’t be used.

How to seal a shower unit that has no shower tray?

The above method will work when the shower unit has a shower tray, but how to seal one that has no tray? Many investors opt for a unit with a linear drain, and then there is no shower tray. In this situation, silicone is also helpful, however, we should focus on sealing the linear drain components. Above all, we should insulate the floor where the drain meets the tiles.

Regular maintenance is important

A high-quality shower unit has seals that perfectly prevent water from escaping outside the enclosure. Nevertheless, in the course of prolonged use, a leakage may occur. We do not have to wait for this to happen, and it’s better to take care of regular maintenance. So what can we do?

First of all by replacing seals, which lose their properties over time. Every few years it is worth replacing silicone grouts. Sometimes, the investor needs to do it earlier, because the shower unit leaks or the silicone was not applied carefully, but in most cases, it is enough to refresh it every few years. Also, we shouldn’t forget to clean the frames and seals regularly. By taking care of this, we can significantly extend their life.

It is a good idea to seal the shower unit even before its installation

Most people only think about repairs once a problem has occurred. But even before the shower unit is installed, the future leaks can be prevented. To do this, the shower walls should be sealed with a liquid applied waterproofing membrane. This is done before the tiles are laid. It is also a good idea to apply the liquid membrane to the area where the shower tray is to be installed. Basically, it is applied the same way as paint, that is, with a brush. It is important to know that the membrane cannot be used on a wall that will later be covered with paint. Its purpose is to protect the floor and the walls from the damaging effects of water. It is also important to protect the insulation corners and seal strips, which are pressed into the silicone.

Why is shower unit sealing so important?

A leaky shower unit is not only a nuisance requiring additional cleaning after bathing. In the long run, inaction leads to the appearance of mold. Besides, if we’re living in a block of flats, we should be aware that we may flood the neighbors. All this means that ignoring the defect leads to more expensive and time-consuming renovation.

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