What silicone stops mould around a shower or sink?
Neutral cure, mould resistant silicone for sealing around the shower, bath and basin.
Use a neutral cure silicone that's labelled mould resistant, on a clean, dry joint, and it stops water getting into the gap around the shower or sink. Soudal All Purpose Silicone is one, and GSA ProSeal 500 is another. White or clear suits most bathrooms.
SOUDAL All Purpose Silicone Brilliant White 300ml
How do I know I've got the right tube?
Read the front of the cartridge for two things, which are "neutral cure" and "mould resistant" (or "anti mould"). It also needs to say silicone. A tube that says acrylic or painter's gap filler is a different product, and that's the one that tends to go grey and peel in a wet corner.
The joint matters as much as the tube. Soudal says it needs clean, non-porous surfaces for best performance, so cut out every bit of the old silicone, clean the joint and let it dry completely. Sealing over old mouldy silicone just traps the mould under a fresh bead.
clean and dry, then seal
I'll be honest that mould resistant isn't mould proof. Soap scum and damp can still grow something on the surface of any sealant, so a wipe down and an open window now and then is totally fine and does a lot of the work.
Which colour and which brand?
| Product | Colour | Mould claim | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soudal All Purpose Silicone | Brilliant White | Mould resistant | 300ml |
| Soudal All Purpose Silicone | Clear | Mould resistant | 300ml |
| GSA ProSeal 500 | Almond Ivory or Paperbark | Anti mould | 300ml |
Clear is the one to grab when you don't want the bead to show. Soudal says the clear and white are food safe, which is handy if the sink is in the kitchen.
Soudal All Purpose Silicone 300ml, Clear
If your tiles are on the warm side, the GSA comes in Almond Ivory and Paperbark. It's a neutral cure silicone with anti-fungicide built in, and it grips ceramic and glass without a primer.
GSA PROSEAL 500 ALMOND IVORY / PAPERBARK
What if it still goes mouldy?
It's usually the prep, which means old silicone left in the joint or a joint that was still damp. The other common one is a messy bead, because a wobbly line holds water. Tool the joint with a soapy solution before the sealant skins over and the bead comes out smooth.
You'll also need a cartridge gun. A dripless one stops the ooze at the end of each stroke.
Phoenix Heavy Duty Dripless Caulking Gun 230mm
If you're sure now, they're all on the site. If you're not, send us a photo of the joint or ring on (08) 8536 4333 and we'll talk you through it.
Cheers,
Candeece
