How to close the space between the bathroom and the wall

The main problem when installing the bath is the gaps that remain between the wall and the accessory. This cannot be avoided even with perfectly even walls. Moisture under the bath is in great trouble. Water becomes the cause of the formation of fungus, and even worse can flood the neighbors below. To fix the problem, different means are used: sealants, putties, self-adhesive corners and trimming strips. We will tell which of the seals in the article.

Which sealant to choose

Two types of silicone sealants are on sale: acidic and neutral.
Acid-based sealant is cheaper, but not suitable for all materials. Acid or vinegar is not recommended for the connection of metal parts. Traces of oxidation are deposited on the metal.
To seal the seams, it is better to use neutral or as it is also called sanitary silicone.
Neutral silicone is made without additional fillers that give a pungent odor and do not shrink after drying. Acid silicone decreases in volume after drying by 2%. Therefore, the neutral denser closes the joint. Use it as a gasket for plumbing, for example between a toilet and a tile.

The composition of sanitary silicone includes antibacterial, antifungal substances - fungicides. It prevents mold, prevents the development of harmful microorganisms.

Disadvantages of silicone sealants:

1. It only covers small gaps up to 1 cm.
2. The service life of silicone is 12 to 18 months. Then it collapses and begins to leak.
3. After a while, mold forms on the surface. Black spots appear.

Advantages of silicone sealants:

• Simplicity in work;
• Good bonding with various materials;
• Moisture resistance;
• Resistance to high temperatures. - 50 ° С to + 200 ° С.

Work sequence

To make a tight seam in the bathroom, you must follow the sequence of work:

1. Clean the area around the gaps between the sink and the wall. Remove all old putty or glue. After wiping the dust around the cracks with a sink cleaner. Allow the sink to dry.
2. Cut off the tip of the cylinder with scissors or a universal knife. The tube has a mark on the tip where you want to cut it. If necessary, pierce the internal protection with a nail.
3. Insert the bottle into the gun for sealant and carefully fix it. Pull the trigger of the gun until the contents come out. Wipe the tube with a rag to prevent the hole from clogging.
4. Guide the tip of the tube into the gap between the bathtub and the wall. The gun is held at an angle of 45 °. Then pull the trigger evenly applied around the perimeter, in an even layer.
5. Align the seam with your finger or brush. To do this, wet your finger and spend along the entire joint. Wipe off excess with a rag. Before washing your hands after work, you need to wipe them with a napkin, since the silicone can dry in the pipe which can clog the sewer.

Tools for work:

• Capacity for the washing solution;
• Clean rag;
• Blade;
• Silicone sealant;
• Gun for the cylinder;
• Scissors, or universal knife;
• A nail or an awl.

Sealing even small gaps between the bathroom and the wall is an essential part of the job before using the bathroom. Water seeps even into microcracks that are invisible to the eyes. Moisture under the bath will cause mold. The fungus will appear in the form of black spots on the tile. It is difficult to remove the mold, you will have to change the tile, and this is very time-consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully seal the joint of the bathroom and the wall with sealant, even if the gap is not visible.