Siliconing shower enclosure

muffinek

I am getting quotes for few jobs in my bathroom. One of them being removing silicone and applying new one around shower enclosure as current one has mould. 
Two tradesmen were happy to quote for removal and application inside and outside as it is currently and third one said it should be applied only on the outside and applying inside causes issues with mould. 

Whats the best/correct way to avoid mould and leaks? I have always thought it should be applied on the inside and outside. 

tacpot12

Silicone can have mould problems in areas that are frequently wet. I've always applied silicone inside and outside shower enclosures, but your third tradesman's advice has got me thinking. However, I think I would still apply silicone inside the shower enclosure to stop water getting behind the enclosure frame and make a neat finish. Ultimately it is down to you as the customer to specify the finish you want, but you need to understand the risks if you go against a professional's recommendation. 

grumbler

tacpot12 said:

Silicone can have mould problems in areas that are frequently wet. ... your third tradesman's advice has got me thinking.

I agree. And I don't see any point in doing this both inside and outside unless for decorative purpose.

And, IMO, in very wet places even 'mould-resistant' silicones can't stop mould growing.

flashg67

I fitted a new shower tray & glass enclosure last year and the enclosure instructions did say to silicone outside only.. (but not why to be fair!)

Belenus

flashg67 said:

I fitted a new shower tray & glass enclosure last year and the enclosure instructions did say to silicone outside only.. (but not why to be fair!)

Leaving the inside without silicone allows water that gets into the frame to run into the shower tray.

SuzieSue

flashg67 said:

I fitted a new shower tray & glass enclosure last year and the enclosure instructions did say to silicone outside only.. (but not why to be fair!)

Yes, they all say this and bathroom fitters always only silicon the outside of the door.

couriervanman

If after a good silicone sealant Wilco own brand bathroom silicone is brilliant and only £4 a tube
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-white-bathroom-kitchen-silicone-sealant-300ml/p/0228981

coffeehound

Apparently there are guys out there whose sole job is caulking.  A colleague got one in to do his new bathroom after all the installations and tiling was done.

Apjs87

Speaking from experience I had always siliconed inside and out and as a result ended up with leaks. 

After reading about silicone outside only, I tried this and had no leaks at all. If you don't seal inside the door, the water drains back into the bath/shower. Just put a blob of silicone over any screws/plugs that go into the wall and you should be ok.

Swasterix

Apjs87 said:

Speaking from experience I had always siliconed inside and out and as a result ended up with leaks. 

After reading about silicone outside only, I tried this and had no leaks at all. If you don't seal inside the door, the water drains back into the bath/shower. Just put a blob of silicone over any screws/plugs that go into the wall and you should be ok.

This ^

The last 2 shower enclosures I’ve installed have specified silicone on outside only. Added a blob over rawl plugs before fixing. No issues with mould/leaks at all.

J_B

We have a Coram shower screen and although it's a while ago, I remember the instructions saying 'only seal the outside'