Although technique is important when caulking your bathroom, the truth is that even if your seals are perfect, they won’t perform as expected if you don’t use the right sealant.
The best bathroom sealants have special properties that help them retain their structure and remain intact in the bathroom’s unique environment.
In this article, our Adfast specialists present the factors to consider when buying sealant for your bathroom joints.
How the sealant adheres to different types of bathroom surfaces
In bathrooms, sealant is usually applied where two surfaces meet (for example, where the bathtub meets the wall) or to fill cracks (which sometimes appear at the base of the shower) to keep out air, moisture and dirt.
The latex sealants generally used for drywall, windows and wooden door frames won’t adequately protect your shower, bathtub, sink or vanity from these intrusions. In the bathroom, you need silicone sealant.
Acetoxy silicone sealants are some of the best products for joints around bathtubs, showers, sinks and bathroom counters, because they adhere very well to enamel, stoneware, glass and tiles.
Neutral cure silicone sealants adhere to these surfaces as well as many plastic substrates (some types of plastic may require sealant primer). In bathrooms, they can be useful for joints that aren’t in constant contact with water, like the joints around the toilet and vanity. That’s why they can also be considered one of the best types of bathroom sealants.
Protection against mould and mildew
It’s widely known that bathrooms are particularly vulnerable to mould and mildew due to the high levels of humidity they often contain. Mould infiltrating sealant joints can change their appearance and colour.
That’s why some acetoxy silicone sealants are made with anti-mould properties and fungicides that can neutralize mold and mildew.
For joints around bathtubs, showers, and other areas that get wet on a regular basis, make sure you choose a product that is labelled as bath safe or anti-mould, and check the number of years it can be expected to remain resistant.
Choosing sealant colours
Silicone sealants are sold in a variety of colors, including clear, white, cream, gray, black and brown. If you want an aesthetically pleasing result, make sure you choose a sealant that blends well with the rest of your bathroom decor.
It’s particularly important to find the right sealant colour, by using a colour chart, for example, because silicone sealants cannot be painted.
Note that clear neutral cure silicone sealants tend to yellow relatively quickly.
Drying and curing time
When buying sealants, pay attention to two times listed on the label: drying time and curing time. Drying time is the amount of time it takes for the product to be dry to the touch, while curing time is the amount of time needed for the product to be ready to be used and exposed to water.
Neutral cure and acetoxy silicone sealants have comparable drying and curing times. Generally, they take 10 to 30 minutes to dry, but can take up to 14 days to fully cure.
If you are caulking the only shower or bathtub in the house, choose a fast cure sealant so that your bathroom is not out of commission for several days.
Adfast Adseal: a range of sealants that includes great options for the bathroom
If you are looking for the best sealant for effective and durable bathroom joints, choose one based on the factors mentioned in this text.
Two Adfast products meet most of the criteria very well: the Adseal Production 4550 Series and the Adseal KB 4800 Series. You can find them in a size that suits your project at your local hardware store.
If you want help choosing the perfect sealant for your projects, use our product finder or contact our specialists for advice on which product will give you the best results.
