What is silicone, and what is it used for?

What is silicone, and what is it used for?

Silicone is used to fill the vertical and perimeter junctions in floor and wall tiling. Grout is not used in these areas due to the increased building movement.

Silicone adheres to junctions between tiles, polymarble and acrylic shower bases, ceramic, metal and glass, making it ideal for sealing damp and steamy wet areas such as tiling, showers, bathtubs and basins.

Our silicone is available in a range of colours.

We recommend selecting a silicone colour to match as closely as possible to the colour of the tiles used.

Our 100% silicone is high-performance, high flexibility, neutral cure sanitary grade silicone sealant, which cures to form a tough and flexible waterproof seal with the added advantage of resisting the growth of mould and mildew.

Our low-odour silicone will not corrode metals and complies with a 5-Green Star rating of VOCs less than 5%.

How do I stop my shower silicone from going mouldy?

Silicone in showers and high-traffic areas will require replacement over time- you will know when it requires replacing as it may become difficult to clean, may grow mould or may begin to peel.

Waterproofing which has been installed in accordance with AS-3740-2010 Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas and NCC (National Construction Code) behind tiles, will extend the longevity of silicone.

When a shower is properly waterproofed, if silicone or grout begins to fail, the water that travels behind the grout or silicone on the shower tiles will not absorb into the shower substrates. Instead, it will bead back onto the tiled surface through the grout or silicone junctions and dry out between shower uses.

As soon as any mould is noticed on the surface of the silicone, it should be quickly cleaned away, as mould quickly multiplies when left to grow on surfaces in wet areas. Eventually, it will get behind the silicone; by this stage, the only option left is to remove the silicone using a sharp blade.

When replacing silicone, all existing silicone must be cut out using a razor blade to ensure that all remnants of old silicone are removed to ensure adequate adhesion of the new silicone.

This is a task that requires the skill of an experienced professional, otherwise, if remnants of the old silicone are caulked over, the new silicon will not adhere, and mould will quickly grow behind the surface, allowing water to leak into the tile junctions.

How often should I have to replace my silicone?

Replacement timeframes will vary depending on how often the shower is used; the more a shower is used, the more frequently the shower silicone will require replacement.

2022-10-11T19:47:33+11:00