Bathroom sealing & grouting

Naf

Hi, I live in a rented property so, obviously, things aren't always completely up to scratch, although they do work
Basically the tiling grout and sealing around the bath and shower screen looks awful, it's going black etc. but thankfully not peeling or anything.
What I want to do, is get it looking properly clean again.

With the sealing, is it a simple enough job to scrape off the old, clean with some meths, and pipe on new stuff, spreading and smoothing with a finger, then leaving it to set for however long? Is there any particular type(s) better suited to the job than others?
Also, would the same stuff work to seal up gaps between glass and wood on old sash windows, of would this be a definite no-no?

As to the grout, would I ideally need to clean out all of the old stuff and reapply: it is cracked and has gaps in places, looks (to my entirely untrained eye) like something that has shrunk over years, if grout does this? Or could I get some kind of cleaner/cover-up that would just apply over the top of the existing?

Thanks for any help and advice.

hotpot1000

I just replaced my sealant with this http://www.polycell.co.uk/products/polycell_sealant_strip_for_kitchen_and_bathrooms.jsp

it looks great, was about £7 and did the bath, sink and enough for another sink left.
I scrubbed my grouting with bleach and an old toothbrush, I think you can buy grout cleaner and grout whitener in a pen.

keystone

Naf wrote: »

Hi, I live in a rented property so, obviously, things aren't always completely up to scratch, although they do work
Basically the tiling grout and sealing around the bath and shower screen looks awful, it's going black etc. but thankfully not peeling or anything. What I want to do, is get it looking properly clean again.

You can attack it with bleach or mildew remover but the chances are that if it was cheap and nasty stuff (or not designed for bathrooms in the first place) that it won't have much effect and bleach could well turn it orange in colour.

With the sealing, is it a simple enough job to scrape off the old, clean with some meths, and pipe on new stuff, spreading and smoothing with a finger, then leaving it to set for however long?

Yes it is actually but make sure that you continuously lubricate your finger with a dash of washing up liquid in warm water. However, I would argue that its the landlords responsbility to sort this out not yours - particularly if you believe there is a potential health hazard.

Is there any particular type(s) better suited to the job than others?

Yes you need a mould resistant one. Don't be fooled into buying a cheap one. Dow Corning's stuff is the DBs. I don't like using silicone for tiles though.

Also, would the same stuff work to seal up gaps between glass and wood on old sash windows, of would this be a definite no-no?

Do you mean between the glazing bars and the glass or do you mean that the putty is shot outside? In any event - no I wouldn't use silicone for this.

As to the grout, would I ideally need to clean out all of the old stuff and reapply: it is cracked and has gaps in places, looks (to my entirely untrained eye) like something that has shrunk over years, if grout does this? Or could I get some kind of cleaner/cover-up that would just apply over the top of the existing?

Rake out the grout (as the spores will have settled deep into it) and replace it with a mould resistant one - BAL Microflex with microban is more than suitable.

Cheers

aggypanthus

do you think you should be doing this yourself? My friend owns a rental company and her landlords usually have to pay to have these problems fixed when the tennant complains. Report it as leaking to your landlord.
doing it yourself may backfire if they blame you for any bad workmanship in the future.

Naf

keystone wrote: »

, I would argue that its the landlords responsbility to sort this out not yours - particularly if you believe there is a potential health hazard.

Possibly, but with two kids it'll be virtually impossible to get it done at a time suitable to let it fully dry before they can get at it again...

keystone wrote: »

Yes you need a mould resistant one. Don't be fooled into buying a cheap one. Dow Corning's stuff is the DBs. I don't like using silicone for tiles though.

Why not? What other option do I have?

keystone wrote: »

Rake out the grout (as the spores will have settled deep into it).

Best tool for the job?

grizzly1911

Naf wrote: »

Possibly, but with two kids it'll be virtually impossible to get it done at a time suitable to let it fully dry before they can get at it again...



Why not? What other option do I have?



Best tool for the job?

Google "grout rake" .

E.g. http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=grout+rake&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3809986781934958156&sa=X&ei=lHfATpWWI8Gw8QPE5fipBA&ved=0CHUQ8wIwAw


There are also some ehow links to show you how to go about it.

You need to use anti fungal grout between the tiles. Silicone sealant will not do the job.

Keystone is making the point re sealants in that the cheaper silicone varieties do not inhibit mould growth an won't last

martyn05

Top Tip: Before you apply new sealant around the bath, fill the bath with cold water right up to the overflow. Then apply the sealant and leave for 24 hours. If you just apply the sealant it will pull away when the bath is filled up because the bath will drop slightly with the weight. Do it once - do it right.

mikey72

I just had to do this in the house I rent out.

So from the landlords point of view, I wouldn't be happy if the tenant started diy on something like this.
It's easy to make the silicone look bad, if you don't get it right it'll leak through the ceiling below, and I only use an expensive brand, so it lasts. If you get the grouting wrong at best you can mark the tile edges, at worst you'll let water behind them and destroy the wall.
And even if he just doesn't like it, he can still have it re-done out of the deposit.

It has to dry for 24 hours, I did mine one mid morning, so the parents missed the morning shower to give me a dry bath, the kids missed the night time bath, then next day they can use it again.
If you diy you'll still have to give it the same amount of time, so you'll still have to keep the kids out.

Naf

To be honest, nothing ill do could be worse than the existing: grout not just cracked but entirely missing in places, and sealing coming completely away from bath & wall. Both right where shower water sprays.
The problem is, I can't not take a shower so I'll need to get up extra early one morning, ensuring that the following day I'm not at work until the afternoon, do the stuff before midday so it'll have the full 24 hours to dry before I need to use it again... Only one week I'll be able to do it and thats while kids are away.

keystone

Naf wrote: »

grout not just cracked but entirely missing in places, and sealing coming completely away from bath & wall. Both right where shower water sprays.

Totally your landlords responsibility as stated 9 days ago.

The problem is,.....

The problem is that you do not seem prepared to get the landlord to face his responsibilities as it would be inconvenient to you from a timing perspective to do so. Can't you see just how plain nuts that is.

Only one week I'll be able to do it and thats while kids are away.

No for the umpteenth time its not your responsibility nor should you be paying for it. Get the landlord to do it / pay for it.

Cheers

msfoxymax

The best thing for the mould is HG Hagesan mould and mildew remover. It's lethal but fab!! http://uk.hg.eu/wizard-shop/index/id/2813/Bathroom/_toilet