Waterproofing joins in plastic splashback?

SRJDIY · Post by **SRJDIY** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:52 pm

My bath/shower is lined with plastic splashback panels. The sealant around the bath is getting mouldy and it seems like the gaps between the panels are as well (I've attached a picture). I suspect that water is getting inbetween the panels. If that's the case I can remove the existing sealant, run a dehumidifier in the room to dry everything out, and then reapply the sealant, but I assume the issue will just come back as long as water can get inbetween the panels.

Does anyone know how best to waterproof the joins where the panels meet? The only thing I can think of is to use sealant, but I feel that's going to just splodge everywhere and make a giant mess. Has anyone done anything like this before, and if so what would you advise?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:41 am

This is normal mould growth that will occur in showers, firstly use HG Mould spray see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S49M-AOGyec. About a fiver you can get it in most places.

DWD

SRJDIY · Post by **SRJDIY** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:55 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:41 am This is normal mould growth that will occur in showers, firstly use HG Mould spray see <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S49M-AOGyec</span>. About a fiver you can get it in most places.

DWD

When I previously replaced the sealant some water came out from behind it. I wiped it up, left it for a little while, and then there was more water in the same place, at the bottom of the panel. After wiping it again nothing came out and I applied the new sealant, but it started getting mouldy again after a couple of months. That suggests to me that water might be getting behind the panels?

Thanks for the tip on the mould remover; I'll make sure to pick some up!

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat Dec 16, 2023 4:15 pm

You also need to use a sanitary sealant that is mould and mildew resistant (no nonsense 820 is a cheaper version).
I keep a dish cloth at the dry end of my shower (your bath) and a window squeegee blade (£1 shop) and use after every visit to dry the sides.

fin · Post by **fin** » Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:40 pm

i agree with aero about the squeegee thing.

a couple of years back i re fitted the bathroom at my house. big shower enclosure all fully tiled. it was belt and braces behind that area as i tanked the walls and all that so any water that does pottentially get past the tiles or the silicone seal wont do too much damage.

if i was in your position other than removing the plastic is to simply change the silicone seal for a one with a bacteria and mould resistant sealant.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dow-785-bact ... 10ml/58308

use a squeegee to dry after each use.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Dec 17, 2023 1:17 pm

I do the same, I squeegee and wipe over with a kitchen-like sponge so most of the water is gone. My shower is clean but occasionally I get a bit of mould in the water traps around the frame. I use the HG spray which soon sorts it. I have hard water so if I do not wipe down the glass gets limescale marking which looks awful.

DWD