reseal your bath
Keep your tub watertight, ready for winter soaks
Ensure a clean, straight line by masking off the area above and below where the silicone will go with tape
If the sealant around your bath is looking a bit worse for wear, it’s easier to sort out than you might think. you don’t need to shell out for a professional to do it – this is a DIY job that’s worth taking on yourself. Invest in some sealant remover, sealant and a cartridge gun, and do it yourself in an afternoon.
What you’ll need
silicone sealant remover Plastic scraper silicone sealant sealant gun White spirit 1 Apply sealant remover (try Unibond Silicone Sealant Remover, £7.98 for 150ml, B&Q) to the old sealant around the bath and leave it to dry for 10-15 min. Remove the sealant with a plastic scraper (be gentle so as not to damage the bath). Scrub the area using bathroom cleaner and leave it to dry thoroughly.
2 Fill the bath with water (the weight of the water will ensure that the sealant won’t crack when the bath is used later). Insert the sealant cartridge into your sealant gun and cut the nozzle off the end of the cartridge so that its size corresponds with the gap to be filled (it’s best to start small and then you can cut further down for a wider hole if you need it). Perch yourself on the edge of the bath, press the trigger and apply the sealant to the gap in one smooth movement. Take care not to overfill.
3 once you’ve Finished Applying the sealant it’s time to smooth it with a wet round-ended tool (try the handle of a wooden spoon) or wet fingertip. Shape the sealant at an angle, so that the water will run off it better.
4 remove Any excess sealant with white spirit before it dries. Leave the sealant to dry according to the instructions on the cartridge, and then you can empty the bath.