Slippery bathroom floor after using silicone sealant

neilmcl

For the last few days I've been replacing the old silicone sealant around the bath, shower and window in my bathroom and have noticed that soon after the laminate flooring has become quite slippery. I'm sure it must be the chemicals being released as the silicone cures but can anyone explain what exactly is causing this. I've also noticed that my hands are very slippery for a couple of days afterwards too.

Also, whilst on the subject, does anyone know of any good tips to apply and smooth off silicone neatly on internal corners, I always struggle in that area and it always looks a bit ropey even especially when I've got the the rest of the sealant smoothed off perfectly.

bris

neilmcl wrote: »

For the last few days I've been replacing the old silicone sealant around the bath, shower and window in my bathroom and have noticed that soon after the laminate flooring has become quite slippery. I'm sure it must be the chemicals being released as the silicone cures but can anyone explain what exactly is causing this. I've also noticed that my hands are very slippery for a couple of days afterwards too.

You're imagining it, there is no reason for the floor to be slippery after using silicon.

-taff

You can get these in BM bargains or diy shops
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unibond-1582528-UniBond-Sealant-Finishing/dp/B001DZTYG2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_60_lp_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=74RK3T6S50N38YXK5N6P


Your hands should not be slippery unless you have touched the stuff...

neilmcl

-taff wrote: »

You can get these in BM bargains or diy shops
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unibond-1582528-UniBond-Sealant-Finishing/dp/B001DZTYG2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_60_lp_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=74RK3T6S50N38YXK5N6P


Your hands should not be slippery unless you have touched the stuff...

I already use those, I have the original Fugi set from years back but they don't really help a lot on internal corners especially when you have a vertical line to smooth off as well.

spadoosh

Generally two types of silicone. alcohol based and acetate based. Acetate base releases acetic acid (smells like vinegar) alcohol based doesnt smell.

I was under the impression that acids arent slippy, i dont know if alcohol is but if the sealant doesnt smell like vinegar id head towards that as the culprit. As to what you clean it with, something acid based like citric acid but i dont know if it will cause more issues. Plenty of water and towel drying would be my go to, maybe some lemon juice. .

I use a licked finger applying silicone, i think it give the best control particularly for corners. Wipe with a wet cloth after each stroke (your finger that is)

neilmcl

bris wrote: »

You're imagining it, there is no reason for the floor to be slippery after using silicon.

No I'm very much not imagining it.

Dan-Dan

neilmcl wrote: »

No I'm very much not imagining it.

Your imagining the link between the two i think he means

neilmcl

spadoosh wrote: »

Generally two types of silicone. alcohol based and acetate based. Acetate base releases acetic acid (smells like vinegar) alcohol based doesnt smell.

I was under the impression that acids arent slippy, i dont know if alcohol is but if the sealant doesnt smell like vinegar id head towards that as the culprit. As to what you clean it with, something acid based like citric acid but i dont know if it will cause more issues. Plenty of water and towel drying would be my go to, maybe some lemon juice. .

I use a licked finger applying silicone, i think it give the best control particularly for corners. Wipe with a wet cloth after each stroke (your finger that is)

That must be it. I use Dow 785+ in the bathroom and it is indeed an Acetoxy based sealant.

neilmcl

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Your imagining the link between the two i think he means

Again, I'm not. It's happened twice now over the past couple of weeks. First time, I sealed the bath and noticed the floor very slippery for a couple of days until I gave it a clean. Today I did the window frames and the same thing happened.

-taff

If you're dong a three way joint, do the vertical first and let dry, then do the two horizontals. ANd maybe a washing up liquid finger to neaten after.

bris

neilmcl wrote: »

No I'm very much not imagining it.

Well what evers making it slippery it's not the silicon.