Sealant is used to seal the joints between the bathroom and the wall. This material protects against moisture on the floor. It seals joints, firmly adhering to different surfaces. It happens that it becomes necessary to remove it from different surfaces. This is a rather difficult task. How and how to remove sealant from a cast iron, steel or acrylic bath will be discussed later.
Ways to solve the problem
How to remove the sealant from the bath? It is worth saying that this material after hardening becomes very durable. It becomes extremely difficult to remove its remains. But if the material is not yet completely frozen, it can be removed with almost bare hands. The rest of the material is simply rolled up with a rag.
It takes a lot of work to remove old or well cured sealant. To do this, you can use different methods. They are divided into twolarge groups. It can be mechanical or chemical means. In the first case, the procedure for removing the remnants of building materials occurs when using special tools. Chemicals destroy the structure of the sealant. This allows it to soften and be easily removed from the surface.
Each of these methods has a number of advantages and disadvantages. To choose the appropriate option, you need to consider the type of material from which the bath is made. Chemicals should be as gentle as possible to the enamel or acrylic surface. Otherwise, the bowl may be damaged. In this case, it will need to be replaced.
Mechanical methods
When choosing a technique for removing old silicone sealant in the bathroom, you should pay attention to mechanical methods. They are best suited for cast iron bathtubs. If you are not careful, it is easy to damage the enamel on the steel bowl or the coating of the acrylic bath. Therefore, it is worth resorting to such methods as a last resort.
Mechanical methods are suitable for enameled bathtubs with high-quality coatings, which are finished with tiles or glass plates. To do this, you need to scrape off the old silicone. This can be done using different tools.
For these purposes, a spatula or scraper is most often used, as well as a clerical knife or chisel. A regular blade will do. It will help you get the job done more accurately. You can also use a pumice stone or grater during the removal of building materials, as well as loose abrasives (for example,soda).
Remove sealant mechanically
There is a simple technology for removing silicone sealant from an acrylic bath using special tools. First you need to use a knife or a sharp blade. This will cut off the silicone at the very base. Further, the remnants can be erased with sandpaper, a grater or pumice stone. The material must have a fine abrasive.
Often, after removing the layer of silicone on the surface of the bath, a dirty stain still remains. To remove it, you will need to use bulk material. It can be baking soda or a kitchen cleaner. Abrasive powder is poured onto a sponge. Next, clean the surface in a circular motion.
After that, you need to walk over the surface with liquid detergent. The composition can be washed off with hot water. As a result, the surface will be white and clean.
It is worth noting that if the silicone was applied to a smooth surface, it will be difficult to remove it by mechanical means. To do this, it is better to use a building hair dryer. It is heated to a temperature of 400ºС. After that, the sealant is removed simply.
Table s alt
Studying tips on how to remove old sealant in the bathroom, it is worth noting that the greasy trace from a strip of building material will help remove table s alt. To do this, wet the gauze. A layer of ordinary kitchen s alt is applied to it. Next, the material is applied to the surface of the silicone stain. After a few minutes, you can wipe the trace with this composition. He should easilybe cleansed.
Don't put too much pressure on the gauze with s alt. Otherwise, scuffs and scratches will remain on the surface of the enamel. S alt should not be dry. It should be moistened with moisture, which is impregnated with gauze. It is recommended to fold the material several times. So the s alt will not spill out of the gauze.
S alt will not help remove silicone. However, it effectively copes with the stains that remain from it. Therefore, it is worth combining mechanical surface cleaning methods with s alt.
Handmade chemistry
When considering how to remove acrylic or silicone sealant in a bathroom, chemical methods should also be considered. They include the use of different compositions. For example, you can use the tools at hand that remained after the repair.
Such chemicals include white spirit, Kalosha gasoline, and organic or inorganic based solvents. Ordinary acetone will also work. The old stains are quite persistent. Therefore, you will need to apply the selected remedy repeatedly.
Such tools are used in combination with mechanical techniques. Therefore, they are only suitable for cast iron or steel bathtubs. For acrylic, other compounds should be used.
So, first, the sealant layer is cut off with a knife. Then, using a sponge or rag, the selected composition is applied to the surface of the dirty spot. After a while, the building material will soften a little. He will turn intojelly-like mass. Now you can remove it with abrasive products.
Special washes
When choosing how to remove the sealant from the bath, you should pay attention to special compounds. The following products are on sale:
- Quilosa Limpiador;
- Dow Corning OS-2;
- Silikon-Entferner;
- Penta-840;
- Sili-kill and more.
The listed funds are available in the form of liquids, pastes or aerosols. They must be used strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most often, the wash should be applied to a soft cloth. Then, for a certain time, you need to keep the product on the sealant. He will soften. After that, the building material can be washed away.
Recommendations for the use of a wash
When considering how to remove sealant in the bathroom, you should pay attention to some recommendations from experts. Before using the selected product, you should apply it to an inconspicuous area on the surface of the bath. You should also carefully read the manufacturer's instructions. It indicates which surfaces the product is intended for.
Sometimes only special washes are suitable for removing silicone from an acrylic bath. If the composition is aggressive to the coating of the bowl, this can be checked in an inconspicuous place.
Work with chemicals is carried out in protective gloves. If an aerosol spray is used, care must be taken to protect the eyes and respiratory tract. After the silicone has been removed, the bathshould be rinsed with plenty of warm water.
Bowl material
When learning how to remove silicone sealant from a bath, you should pay attention to the type of bath material. Do not think that if the surface is enameled, you do not need to be careful with it. Chips and scratches easily remain on such a coating.
Experts say that both mechanical and chemical methods of silicone cleaning are suitable for steel enameled bathtubs. When using compounds aggressive to this building material, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations. Sometimes these chemicals leave unsightly yellow marks on the enamel.
If the bathtub is tiled, almost any cleaning method can be used. This material is resistant to various influences. He is not afraid of mechanical damage. Chemicals also do not leave marks on the surface of the boards. If the surface of the tile is smooth, you need to perform all actions without strong pressure. Otherwise, the surface may be scratched.
For acrylic bowls, only special compositions are suitable, on which there is a designation on the possibility of using this product for these baths. In this case, the chemical will not react with the top layer of plumbing. It will only affect silicone. One of the best acrylic bath products is Dow Corning OS-2. It can be purchased at almost any specialized store. The sealant will quickly become soft. It can be quickly removed from surfaces.
Housewives Tips
Choosing how to remove the sealant from the bath, you shouldnote that organic solvents are categorically not suitable for acrylic. Such compounds destroy the surface of acrylic. She's losing her shine.
Housewives are advised to use only special-purpose chemicals to remove silicone from acrylic surfaces. Any mechanical means will damage the surface. Therefore, in this case, they are banned.
If you need to remove the silicone seam along the entire side that adjoins the wall, it is better to move the bowl. This makes the process easier, faster and more efficient. If the bowl is enameled, first remove most of the silicone with a sharp metal object. Only then are chemical compounds used.
Having considered how to remove the sealant from the bath, you can quickly remove even old building materials. Performing the actions correctly, you can preserve the beauty of the surface of the bowl. She will not be damaged. To do this, you need to use the advice of professionals, as well as the rules for the use of chemicals. They are detailed in the manufacturer's instructions.
