New sealant looks its best on the day it goes on. How long it stays that way depends a lot on what happens next. Sealant is a maintenance item, and its life depends on use, cleaning and ventilation. These simple habits help a new bead stay clean and watertight for as long as possible.
The first day
- Keep it dry for the full cure time. Usually around 24 hours, but follow the time your installer gives you or the one on the cartridge.
- Don’t touch or poke it. It may feel dry within an hour, but it is still soft underneath.
- Leave the bath water in if the bath was filled before sealing, until you are told it can be emptied.
- Ventilate gently. Fresh air helps, but a very cold room slows curing.
See how long to wait before using the shower for more on cure times.
Everyday habits
- Run the extractor fan during a shower and for a while afterwards, or open a window.
- Wipe or squeegee the joint after a shower. Water left sitting on the bead is what mould needs.
- Rinse away product. Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel left along the bead feed mould.
- Leave the shower door or curtain open after use so the area can dry.
Cleaning sealant the right way
Clean little and often rather than scrubbing hard now and then:
- Use a mild bathroom cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge.
- Avoid scouring pads, wire wool and abrasive creams. They roughen the surface and make it easier for dirt and mould to stick.
- Avoid strong solvents, which can damage the bead.
- Rinse after cleaning, so product doesn’t sit on the sealant.
- Never mix cleaning products.
In hard water areas, limescale can build up along the bead. Our guide to hard water and sealant covers how to deal with it.
Need it done properly? Mr Mastic covers the South East, London and Scotland, with a one-year guarantee on every job. Call or email for a quick quote.
Kitchens
- Wipe up water along the back of the worktop rather than leaving it to sit.
- Don’t lean heavy items against the joint, or let pans rest on it.
- Keep sharp knives and scrapers away from the bead when cleaning.
A quick check every few months
Look along every joint when you clean. Watch for:
- Black spots inside the bead, not just on the surface
- Edges lifting from the tile, bath or worktop
- Cracks, splits or shrinkage
- A gap that opens when the bath is full
Catching these early stops water getting behind the bath or worktop. Every reseal we do comes with a one-year guarantee. If something isn’t right in that time, get in touch.
If something goes wrong early
Most problems with new sealant show within the first weeks or months. A bead that was wet before it cured may have dimples or thin spots. A bath that settles further may open a small gap. Mould appearing very quickly can mean the room is staying damp or water is getting behind the bead.
If you notice any of these, take a photo and get in touch with whoever did the work. It is easier to deal with early than after water has been getting in.
Quick answers
Can I use bleach on new silicone?
Use a product the label says is suitable for sealant, and follow its instructions. Mild cleaners and regular wiping are usually all a new bead needs.
Why has my new sealant gone yellow?
Discolouration can come from some cleaning products, hair dyes or residue. A mild clean often helps. If not, get it looked at.
How often should sealant be replaced?
There is no fixed interval. Replace it when it is mouldy inside, cracked, lifting or shrinking.
Is a one-year guarantee included on your reseals?
Yes. Every job we do comes with our one-year guarantee.
Related services
More advice
- Why Does Bathroom Sealant Go Mouldy?
- Can You Clean Black Mould Out of Silicone?
- Hard Water, Limescale and Bathroom Sealant
- All advice
This guide is general information about sealant work. It isn’t legal, fire-safety or structural advice; for those, speak to a qualified professional.