Sealing bathtub with a "plastic strip"?

andre_xs

Hi All,
sorry, not sure how this is called: The way our bathtub is build in always results in the silicone cracking/breaking rather quickly. I have seen that there are these kind of strips you can use to seal this: They glue to the bathtub and then to the wall (which is tiled).

Are they good? If so, do you have tips which type to get, how to fix them best, etc.
(and: do they have a specific name?)

Best wishes,
Andre

ButterCheese

Yes they work well if the surfaces are well prepared (completely clean). It's best to clean them first and then use a degreaser to ensure no oils/soap is left.  I actually use brake cleaner but things like acetone or alcogol also work, basically they should get rid of any grease/soap and not leave a residue.

Lots of bath seals leak because when you're sealing them, the bath should be fullof water to make the bathtub sit/sink.  Otherwise if you seal it when empty, the weight of the water (and you) in the tub will make it squat down a bit and stresses the seal which can then open up a tiny bit.

You should do this when fitting the sticky seal as well.  It would be better to remove all the old silicone and re-do it properly but it can be difficult to get silicone sealant off.  

andre_xs

Thanks a lot. Yes, I know about the bathtub half-full thing (I always wondered: Do you fill it up half and then stand in it?? Or is the assumption that it's really empty and you seal from the outside? Because I'm usually standing in the bathtub when sealing).

I think we have the sealant off well, used a silicone removal spray in the end. Will get good degreaser as well.

I was wondering whether it would make sense to also but a thin layer of silicone (with a silicone gun) into the crack between bathtub and wall, let it dry, and then apply the sealant strip?

andre_xs

I forgot: Would you recommend the thicker ones, which look more like a proper corner thing, e.g.:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicone-Threshold-Retaining-Countertop-Adhesive/dp/B0BJTWRX52/ref=asc_df_B0BJTWRX52

Or just the tape-like ones, e.g.:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealant-Adhesive-Waterproof-Kitchen-Bathroom/dp/B08XYQ6GZH/ref=sr_1_2_sspa

Best wishes,
Andre

danrv

andre_xs said:

The way our bathtub is build in always results in the silicone cracking/breaking rather quickly.

Before doing the seal strip, check that the bath is secure from the underside.
Some tubs are just installed with mastic around the edges. There should at least be L brackets to hold that edge against the wall.
Ideally, battens underneath supporting the bath edges.
Also check that the adjustable feet are firm against the floor.

Robin9

I had something similar.   I had an over the bath shower and water leaked into the room below. 

The bath sits on 4 adjustable feet - check that these are quite solid. 

bjorn_toby_wilde

I’ve used this one

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Homelux-White-Bath-Trim---1-83m/p/229570

or you could try this

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Homelux-White-Bath-Seal---1-75m/p/229568?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMAX%20Shopping%7C%7CTiles&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20266277418&gbraid=0AAAAADs4Isa1JMZvFF6p8dUnJGRvnZAsJ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ZjS5J2GkAMVaJdQBh2-TgZ2EAQYASABEgIcyfD_BwE

Both allow for a bit of flex.

And yes, I would run a bead of silicone around the bath first before you fit the strip. It will act as a backstop

chris_n

If the silicone is cracking/breaking (assuming the correct/good quality silicone has been used) the likelihood is that the bath is moving. All of the plastic strips in the world aren't going to fix that.