Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

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jack_diy
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by jack_diy »

Sorry if it has been asked before. And I'm new to it so may not express everything in right words.
The old sealant started lift up so mould growing.
I've removed part of the sealant, then realised there is 15-20mm gap between tile and shower tray, and is currently fill with silicone (maybe? hard material), I move some bit out as shown in the picture.
Can I ask what's the best approach to reseal that gap?
What bother me at the moment are:
1. Should I remove all the silicone? What material can I replace with before I finish it with sealant?
2. I don't have suitable tool to smoothen the sealant, given there is a corner plus 15mm gap. I've tried using my finger but it's ugly and didn't last long..

I wish I could find a handyman to do the work for me, unfortunately posted my job at mybuilder and no one interested.. But if I can't fix the problem immediately then everyone can't use the bathroom..

Thanks in advance.
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dewaltdisney
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by dewaltdisney »

Buy a bath seal strip. This is a plastic strip that you stick on with silicone to the tile and the tray. You can get tape or rigid right-angle profiles that will do the same thing in BnQ, Wickes, etc. I fixed a friend's shower like this, it was supposed to be temporary but it is still there today some years on with no leaks.

DWD
stevei
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by stevei »

It looks like the front of the shower tray has dropped a bit. Is the gap 15-20mm all the way round?
jack_diy wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:19 pm 2. I don't have suitable tool to smoothen the sealant, given there is a corner plus 15mm gap. I've tried using my finger but it's ugly and didn't last long..
Have a look at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DI4hfHM_Hg
yartin
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by yartin »

Use uPVC quadrant for the big gap with silicone sealant applied on both sides I have used such 6 years ago and still there no issues.
https://www.diy.com/departments/floplas ... 446_BQ.prd

I used mitre box to the corners, 45 degrees
https://www.screwfix.com/p/magnusson-12 ... 0mm-/1019v

Clean the area from all silicone, make sure it's dry before fixing quadrant.
Rorschach
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by Rorschach »

If you are using a PVC quadrant, make sure you use a neutral cure silicone, it will stick much better to the PVC and last a lot longer.

I have PVC trim in my shower and the silicone was failing every couple of years, contacts Dow corning support who recommended a neutral cure, that was about 6 or 7 years ago now and it's been rock solid ever since.
jack_diy
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by jack_diy »

Thank you all for providing really useful solutions, both temporary or long term approaches.
Got a handyman look into another picture (attached )
Since the odd colour of the grout in tile, he thinks water may have run up, as such may need retile /board the wall which is more complicated/expensive.
If that's the case then reseal now would be a waste of money.
So my question is, based on the picture, if we still reseal it, will the wall behind tiles continue develop damage?

Thanks all.
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dewaltdisney
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by dewaltdisney »

Water does not run uphill. The grout lines might need attention but it is unlikely they are letting through. Be careful the Handyman is not talking the job up. You can do this yourself. Buy some PVC trim and silicone it over the join. Buy some HG mould spray and clean the grout lines up. Not hard and for a few quid you can do it yourself.

DWD
Rorschach
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by Rorschach »

Water might have soaked into whatever surface is behind the tile. Unless this has been ongoing for months and has rotted/crumbled the backer board you will be fine. You'll want to pull out all the silicone and get a fan blowing into the gap to dry it all out before you seal it back up again. As DWD says though water cannot run uphill so usually these issues are very minor.

Few days of having a strip wash at the sink (assuming you only have one shower in the house.)
yartin
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by yartin »

As said above, the handyman is talking the job up. Tthe uPVC quadrant and sealant is an easy job, however if you don't feel confident go and buy the quadrant and sealant then find a handyman tell him what to do. To make the job worthwhile for the handyman get white grout and ask to renew tiles grout then you will have a nice new shower, labour depending where you are from £100 to £200 max.
jack_diy
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by jack_diy »

Thank you all for looking into my case, really appreciate.
This issue has been there for at least 6 months that's why I'm worried the board behind may have been rotten.
A handyman recently visited and observed:
- grout mould, lower area more than higher
- right hand side worse than left

I told him the right hand side old sealant started some problem first. Given the fact he suggested reseal now is waste of money, need retile and probably reboard depend on what it looks like behind. Can only do a temporary fix(reseal that exposed area back), cist me £100... (call out £90 + £10 silicone sealant )

I'm kind of convinced by his word... But think I should seek you all opinion before spending more money...

Thanks
jack_diy
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Reseal large gap between tile and shower tray

Post by jack_diy »

I'm thinking to extend my another bathroom wall tiles ASAP so if the reseal retile happens my family will be fine.
The builder tile it half way, and no bath screen. Asking tilers and they suggested remove all with reason :
- there is plastic finish(trim? ), remove it and tile on top could break existing tiles.
- no need to worry about colour difference of old/new tiles

But of course complexity /cost of work will be much higher..
Although I just gained some confidence using upvc quadrant to fix large gap(thank you all again )
I don't think I am capable to tile the wall at all...
DO you think removing all is sensible? And how much should the quote be as reasonable? The area needed tiles is 4 sqm
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