Bathroom sealant plays a small but important role in keeping water where it belongs. The silicone around baths, shower trays, sinks and other joints creates a watertight barrier that helps prevent moisture from reaching the walls, floors and spaces behind your bathroom fittings.
Good-quality bathroom sealant can last for several years, but it does not last forever. As it ages, silicone can begin to crack, peel away, discolour or develop mould. Once gaps appear, water can start getting behind the seal and potentially cause much more expensive problems.
As a general guide, bathroom silicone may last around 5 to 10 years when it has been properly applied and maintained, although it should be replaced sooner if you notice deterioration.
There is no fixed replacement schedule because the lifespan of bathroom sealant depends on several factors, including:
Rather than waiting for a particular number of years, it is worth regularly checking the seal around your bath and shower.
Signs that it may be time to reseal include cracking, peeling, gaps between the silicone and surface, persistent black mould or water escaping around the edges.
If the silicone is no longer forming a continuous watertight seal, replacing it sooner can help prevent water damage behind the tiles or bathroom fittings.
The cost depends on how much sealant needs replacing, the condition of the existing silicone and whether additional repairs are required.
As a rough UK guide, resealing a bath commonly costs around £50 to £100, including removal of the old silicone and application of new sealant. More extensive bathroom or shower resealing can cost more, particularly if mould needs treating or several areas need attention.
It can often make sense to have resealing carried out alongside other small bathroom maintenance jobs, especially if a tradesperson is already working at the property.
It is generally better to remove the old silicone completely before applying new sealant.
Fresh silicone does not bond particularly well to cured silicone. Simply adding another bead over the top can trap mould or moisture underneath and may result in the new seal peeling away prematurely.
The old sealant should therefore be removed, the surface thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry before the new silicone is applied. Screwfix likewise recommends completely removing existing silicone before resealing a shower.
Proper preparation is one of the biggest factors in achieving a neat, durable and watertight finish.
Grout and silicone perform different jobs.
Grout fills the joints between tiles, while flexible silicone sealant is normally used around movement joints and where surfaces meet, such as:
Whether grout itself needs sealing depends on the type of grout used. Some traditional cement-based grouts can benefit from a suitable grout sealer to reduce moisture absorption and staining, while other modern grout products may not require it.
If grout is cracked, crumbling or missing, simply applying silicone over it is not usually the correct solution. The underlying grout or tiling issue should be addressed properly.
Yes. Shower and bath resealing is commonly carried out by plumbers, bathroom fitters and experienced property maintenance professionals.
However, it is worth investigating why the shower needs resealing in the first place.
If the silicone has simply deteriorated with age, replacing it may solve the problem. If the shower has been leaking repeatedly, there could be another issue involving the tray, waste, pipework, tiles or grout.
In that situation, identifying the source of the leak is more important than simply adding new sealant.
Failed silicone is one of the common causes of water escaping around a shower.
Over time, the seal can shrink, split or pull away from the shower tray or wall. Even a relatively small gap can allow water to work its way behind tiles or down the side of the tray.
Other possible causes include:
If the source is not obvious, it is important to investigate rather than repeatedly applying more silicone. Sealant can stop water passing through a surface joint, but it cannot repair a plumbing leak or structural problem.
Resealing a shower is possible as a DIY job if you are comfortable removing the existing silicone and applying a clean, consistent new bead.
The basic process involves removing all the old sealant, thoroughly cleaning and drying the surfaces and applying a suitable mould-resistant sanitary silicone.
The difficult part is often achieving a smooth, continuous seal without gaps or weak spots.
Preparation is particularly important. Applying silicone onto damp, dirty or partially removed old sealant can result in poor adhesion and shorten the life of the repair.
If there is already evidence of water damage, persistent leaking or movement in the shower tray, it is sensible to have the problem assessed before resealing.
Always follow the instructions for the particular silicone being used.
For many standard sanitary silicones, it is best to leave the shower unused for at least 24 hours so the sealant can cure properly before being exposed to water. Screwfix advises waiting at least 24 hours after sealing a shower, while some products may specify longer curing periods.
Using the shower too soon can interfere with the bond and potentially compromise the new seal.
Good ventilation can help during curing, but it is still important to follow the manufacturer’s specified curing time.
B&Q does not advertise one fixed price for bathroom installation because the cost depends on the bathroom design and the work required.
Its installation service begins with a planning appointment followed by a home survey and a detailed quotation from an approved local installer.
B&Q currently states that the installation survey costs £50, which is refunded if you proceed with the installation. The final installation price is then based on the individual project.
If you only need an existing bathroom resealed or repaired, hiring a local bathroom fitter or property maintenance company may be more appropriate than arranging a complete bathroom installation service.
Sometimes deteriorating sealant is simply normal wear and tear. In other cases, it can be a sign of a larger bathroom problem.
You may need more extensive work if you notice:
Addressing these problems properly can prevent small maintenance issues developing into more expensive water damage.
If your bathroom needs more than a quick DIY fix, Avento Property Maintenance provides professional bathroom repairs and improvements across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
Our bathroom fitting service covers everything from bathroom upgrades and replacement fittings to more extensive renovation work.
We also provide professional tiling services for damaged, dated or replacement wall and floor tiles, alongside a wider range of property maintenance services for repairs and ongoing upkeep throughout your home.
For smaller jobs, our handyman service can also help with a variety of general maintenance and repair tasks.
Whether you need deteriorating bathroom sealant replaced or are considering a more substantial bathroom improvement, contact Avento Property Maintenance to discuss the work and arrange a quote.
