Silicone gone mouldy around shower cubicle. What is the BEST Silicone for this?

lancslass2008

Hi all

Believe it or not, I've just handed over £400 to have my living room ceiling re-boarded and plastered. This was because I came down yesterday morning and the ceiling underneath the shower was drenched. It turns out that the silicone in and and around the shower has now failed. I told a Friend last night of this and he said "Yeah, it's common. All Silicones die after a couple of years of use in the shower". Surely this is not correct?

If it is, what is the best (Longest lasting, most reliable) replacement silicone? I'm guessing there's a decent brand named product for this??? Yes, I could Google it, but I'd like advice which really is the best.

Any help?

Thanks

Alan_M_2

Dow Corning 785 available at any good plumbers merchant and good ventilation

dampdaveski

It might sound a bit odd, but the silicone seal to a shower shouldn't be there as the sole means of stopping water getting where it shouldn't.
If your ceiling had to be replaced, it sounds like it might be dodgy tiling / grout as well.
Your bath or shower tray should ideally be cut into the wall though this does depend on the type / make etc.
When I fit them I usually mastic seal the tray / wall joint BEFORE I put any tiles on, then tile and grout and then put the final mastic seal on.
different manufacturers recommend different things though
the dow corning mastic is good, basically any mastic that costs more than £2 at a trade outlet should be good.
All the £1 a tube specials I've encountered are crap.
Asthead & ratcliffe (arbo) mastics are absolutely fantastic but expensive.
Hope this helps
DD

dampdaveski

Edit: as for the mould, either cut the old mastic out and replace if it's deeply engrained or use neat vodka (shame to waste it I know) to rub off