Expanding Foam / Bath Sealant?

DonkeyKong77

Hi

I bought some bathroom sealant (says it's better than the usual silicone but we'll see!) to seal around the bathtub - i had previously put that "tape type" seal you can get, as it seemed and was easier to work with than sealant but there are a couple of small gaps which is leading to water dripping down (it's definately not through the pipes) and soaking the floor.

There is an unusually large gap at one end of the bath - don't think the walls are even and there is a space of about an inch (which decreases to a regular size gap further down the wall This made seallant ridiculously dificult to apply as it didn't have anything to hold onto - hope that makes sense - and so i used the tape type seal.

This time i thought i would use regular sealant and then the tape stuff over it, and hopefully that should cover both angles. However, i read on the back of one sealant that you could use "Expanding Foam" and then selant - if it was a larger gap. So i bought some. Has anyone ever used the stuff? Is this advisable? - the one thing that puts me off is that it says "once set it can only be removed mechanically" - is it a bit too industrial for my needs?

Sorry for the long post - but thanks for any advice.

Volcano

Expanding foam can be amazing when used in the right places, but it can be some evil stuff to work with.

They are right when they say it can only be removed mechanically, even before it has set it is as sticky as hell and can only be wiped clean using acetone (nail varnish remover). It should really only be used for very large gaps outside, or possibly inside where it can't come into contact with anything of value (such as your bath!).

I have plenty of the stuff dried onto tools, ladders etc that is testament to it's ickyness.

SammyD_2

We have a large blob of it in our kitchen where I got sick of my husband not filling in a gap in our skirting and took the job into my own hands. It expands very quickly is all I can say. Wipe it off quick smart if you "overfill".

muir_steve

Hi there,

I'd agree that expanding foam is great stuff for this kind of job. Don't worry too much about it being removed mechanically. This just means that u cut it with a knife or other shapr object. You'll hardly need any tho as it expands a fair bit. Cover the bath and walls with plastic bags and masking tape tho before you use it or you'll never get it off

mike_the_bike_2

I used it when installing a door...NEVER EVER AGAIN!!..It went everywhere and was a nightmare to remove...

I'm sure if you are using it on a regular basis and you get used to working with its fine..but no not for me...having said that its only a personal view!

ffym

You could try filling the larger gap with putty first then covering with the silicon sealer?

[Deleted User]

Yes, not clever I know but I got some on my favourite t-shirt....

Is there anything that will get this off?

I've heard olive oil, nail polish remover. Or what about the foam gun
cleaner and/or foam eater stuff that screwfix sell?

BB1984

The foam eater stuff should work, but it might eat your t-shirt too....! Maybe you could try some on a similar material before using it on your shirt?

I'd be interested to see if you get any positive responses as my OH got some on one of his nice jumpers - I think he failed to understand the magical sticking qualities of expanding foam....!

BB

[Deleted User]

BB1984 wrote: »

The foam eater stuff should work, but it might eat your t-shirt too....! Maybe you could try some on a similar material before using it on your shirt?

I'd be interested to see if you get any positive responses as my OH got some on one of his nice jumpers - I think he failed to understand the magical sticking qualities of expanding foam....!

BB

Like s**t to a blanket !!!!