Over time, the silicone sealant between your floor and wall tiles may crack or fall out. To prevent water damage, remove and replace it with new silicone sealant.
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It’s easy to put off small jobs and maintenance issues when they don’t seem to affect you much. But left unchecked they can lead to much bigger problems. In your bathroom for instance, a lack of proper silicone sealing at the back of a basin can lead to mould and much worse.
How to reseal tiling joints
Gather your supplies
- Scraper
- Vacuum
- Clean cloth
- Methylated spirits
- Waterproof silicone sealant
- Scissors
- Caulking gun
- Spray bottle of soapy water
- Popsicle stick
Here’s how
Step 1
Use a sharp scraper to remove old silicone sealant from the gaps between floor and wall tiles.
Step 2
Vacuum area and wipe with a clean cloth and methylated spirits.
Step 3
Cut 10mm off silicone cartridge nozzle on a 45° angle with sharp scissors. Insert cartridge in caulking gun.
Step 4
Pull trigger slowly on the caulking gun to apply a generous bead of silicone to the wall and floor tile joint. Apply the sealant in a slow continuous movement, avoiding stopping, as this prevents buildup and clumping.
Step 5
Spray the freshly applied silicone lightly with soapy water.
Step 6
Run the end of a popsicle stick slowly over the silicone to smooth it. Wipe away excess with a clean cloth.
Frequently asked questions on resealing tiling joints answered by our DIY editor
Can I use sealant between tiles?
No, you should only use grout between tiles. Use sealant to seal gaps where the tiles intersect with a different surface (such as a sink or a benchtop).
How soon can I silicone after grouting?
You can apply silicone sealant straight after grouting, there is no need to wait.
Can you fix tiles with silicone?
Use grout for this job. Sealant is unsuitable to attach tiles to the wall and should not be used.
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