To seal the joints between the bathroom and the wall, a sealant is used. This material protects against moisture on the floor. It seals the joints, firmly adhering to different surfaces. It happens that there is a need to remove it from different surfaces. This is a rather difficult task. How and how to remove the sealant from the bathtub from cast iron, steel or acrylic will be discussed later.
Ways to solve the problem
How to remove sealant from the bath? It is worth saying that this material after solidification becomes very durable. It becomes extremely difficult to remove its remains. But if the material has not yet completely hardened, it can be removed with bare hands. The remaining material is simply rolled up with rags.
To remove the old or well-cured sealant, you will need to work hard. There are several ways to do this. They are divided into two large groups. It can be mechanical or chemical means. In the first case, the procedure for removing residues of building material occurs when using special tools. Chemicals destroy the structure of the sealant. This allows it to be softened and 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 bathtub is made. Chemicals should be as gentle as possible on enamel or acrylic surface. Otherwise, you can ruin the cup. In this case, it will need to be replaced.
Mechanical methods
When choosing a technique for removing old silicone sealant in a bathroom, you should pay attention to mechanical methods. They are best suited for cast-iron bathtubs. If you act carelessly, it is easy to damage the enamel on a steel bowl or the coating of an acrylic bath. Therefore, it is worth resorting to similar methods in a pinch.
Mechanical methods are suitable for enameled baths with a high-quality coating, 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, as well as a clerical knife or chisel, are most often used. An ordinary blade will do. With it, the work can be done more accurately. You can also use pumice or a grater during the removal of building material, as well as loose abrasives (such as soda).
Removing sealant mechanically
There is a simple technology on how to remove silicone sealant from an acrylic bath using special tools. First you need to use a knife or a sharp blade. So it turns out to cut off the silicone at the very base. Further, the residues can be erased with sandpaper, grater or pumice. The material should have a fine abrasive.
Often, after removing the silicone layer, a dirty stain still remains on the surface of the bath. To remove it, you will need to use bulk material. It can be soda or a tool for cleaning kitchen surfaces. Abrasive powder is poured onto a sponge. Then, in a circular motion, they clean the surface.
After that, you need to go over the surface with a 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 silicone was applied to a smooth surface, it would 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 400º. After that, the sealant is removed simply.
Salt
Studying tips on how to remove old sealant in the bathroom, it is worth noting that a greasy trace from the strip of building material will help remove table salt. To do this, wet gauze. A layer of ordinary kitchen salt is applied to it. Further, the material is applied to the surface of the silicone stain. After a few minutes, you can wipe the trace with such a composition. It should be easy to clean.
Gauze with salt can not be pressed hard. Otherwise, scuffs and scratches will remain on the enamel surface. Salt should not be dry. It should be moistened with moisture, which is saturated with gauze. Material is recommended to be folded several times. So salt will not spill out of gauze.
Salt will not help remove the silicone. However, she effectively copes with the stains that remain from him. Therefore, it is worth combining the mechanical methods of cleaning the surface using salt.
Handy 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 formulations. For example, you can use the improvised tools that remained after the repair.
Such chemicals include white spirit, Kalosha gasoline, and organic or inorganic solvents. Ordinary acetone is also suitable. Old spots are quite persistent. Therefore, it will be required to apply the selected agent repeatedly.
Such agents are used in combination with mechanical techniques. Therefore, they are only suitable for cast iron or steel bathtubs. For acrylic, it is worth using other compounds.
So, first, the sealant layer is cut with a knife. Then, using a sponge or rags, the selected composition is applied to the surface of the dirty stain. After some time, the building material softens a bit. It will turn into a jelly-like mass. Now you can remove it using abrasive products.
Special Washes
Choosing how to remove the sealant from the bath, you should pay attention to special formulations. The following products are on sale:
- Quilosa Limpiador;
- Dow Corning OS-2;
- Silikon-Entferner;
- Penta-840;
- Sili-kill and more.
The funds listed are available in the form of liquids, pastes or aerosols. They must be used strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most often, wash with a soft cloth. Then, for a certain time, you need to hold the product on the sealant. It will soften. After this, the building material can be washed away.
Wash recommendations
When considering how to remove sealant in the bathroom, you should pay attention to some recommendations of specialists. Before using the selected product, it should be applied to an inconspicuous area on the surface of the bath. It is also worth carefully studying the manufacturer's instructions. It indicates for which surfaces the product is intended.
At times, only special washes are suitable for removing silicone from an acrylic bath. If the composition is aggressive to the coating of the bowl, in an inconspicuous place this can be checked.
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 is removed, the bath should be washed with plenty of warm water.
Bowl material
Studying the method of 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, scratches easily remain on such a coating.
Experts say that mechanical and chemical methods of silicone cleaning are suitable for enamelled steel baths. When using formulations aggressive to this building material, attention should be paid to the manufacturer's recommendations. Sometimes such chemicals leave ugly yellow spots 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 plates. If the surface of the tile is smooth, you need to perform all actions without strong pressure. Otherwise, you may scratch the surface.
For acrylic bowls, only special compositions are suitable, on which there is a designation about the possibility of using this tool for these bathtubs. In this case, the chemical will not react with the upper layer of plumbing. It will act solely on silicone. One of the best acrylic bath formulations 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.
Housewife tips
Choosing how to remove the sealant from the bath, it should be noted that organic solvents are categorically not suitable for acrylic. Such compounds destroy the surface of acrylic. She's losing her luster.
Housewives are advised to use only special-purpose chemicals to remove silicone from acrylic surfaces. Any mechanical means will harm 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 away. So the procedure can be performed easier, faster and more efficiently. If the bowl is coated with enamel, at first most of the silicone is removed with a sharp metal object. Only after that use chemical compounds.
Having considered how to remove the sealant from the bath, you can quickly remove even the old building material. Performing the actions correctly, you can save the beauty of the surface of the bowl. It will not be damaged. To do this, take the advice of professionals, as well as the rules for the use of chemicals. They are detailed in the manufacturer's instructions.