Finishing touches

Know your sealants, caulks and adhesives

Gappy skirting boards, discoloured silicone around the bath or loose panelling can make any room look less than perfect. Here’s our essential guide to making sure you get a professional finish…

Out with the old…

If you ’re replacing sealant in the kitchen or bathroom, your first job will be to remove the old silicone. We’d recommend using a specially designed tool such as Unibond’s plastic remover and smoother tool, £2.75 from Wilko. It will get the task done easily without the risk of scratches, and can also be used to smooth new sealant later on. Simply scrape along the line of sealant and it should peel off in long strips, although it may need a bit more effort if it’s not coming away easily. If there are any bits of silicone that won’t budge, dab a little white spirit onto an old cloth and rub it over until they dissolve. Once all of the old sealant is removed, wipe clean with methylated spirit and leave to dry before applying fresh sealant.

UniBond plastic remover and smoother tool, £2.75, Wilko

Mind the gap

Nick King, Category Manager at decorating and DIY specialist Leyland SDM, offers his advice on caulking…

CAULK Used to fill gaps around the home – including around skirting,

when decorating, but can also help to prevent draughts.

Silicone caulk is used in wet areas such as around the bath, for example, whereas latex caulk is ideal for dry areas and can also be painted. Caulk can be bought either in squeezable tubes or in cartridges, which are loaded into a caulking gun. Many people find the cartridges easier to use. It can also be bought in colours other than white, including magnolia and brown.

First, remove all of the old caulk using a utility knife, being careful not to damage the surrounding area. Specialist tools can also be bought to make this job easier. Next, clean the surface and vacuum up any loose bits. Use painter’s tape to mark off a thin area, approximately 6mm, where the caulk is to be applied. Cut the caulk nozzle at a 45 degree angle and puncture the tube or cartridge with a nail. Apply the caulk at a 45 degree angle by pressing firmly on the gun trigger, drawing the nozzle across the surface at a slow, steady pace. Smooth the joint by running either a wet finger or a damp cloth along the surface. Wipe off the excess and remove the tape. Leave to dry thoroughly.

Draper Tools 5-in-1 Sealant & Caulking tool, £5.54, Amazon

Toolbox essential

This multipurpose tool has four different options for smoothing caulk or sealant. It’s made from tough plastic, and also features a sharp blade, which is handy for cutting the end off cartridge nozzles or removing old caulk.

This nine-inch gun is a must for applying caulk, sealant or adhesive in cartridge form. Metal caulk gun, £2.20, Wilko

Decorator’s caulk in Magnolia, £1 per 300ml, Wickes Caulk is often used to fill any small gaps between skirting and walls. Most brands can be painted over, so if you ’re making a feature of your skirting it’s easy to get a seamless look

Sam Brockley, Senior Category Manager for Adhesives and Sealants at Bostik, has these top tips… ADHESIVE Thanks to the latest advances in technology, grab adhesives can be used in a multitude of tasks both inside and outside the home, including bonding skirting or architrave and installing wall panelling. When it comes to choosing a grab adhesive, strength, performance and setting time are all key factors. Silane modified polymer adhesives (also known as SMP, SM Polymer or MS), such as EVO-STIK’s Strong Stuff waterproof adhesive are solvent-free products that offer resistance to extreme temperatures and movement, superior bond strength in both wet and dry conditions and fast setting times. Solvent-based grab adhesives are renowned for their superior final bond strength, with some, such as EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL, also offering gap-filling properties. It’s important to check that surfaces will not be adversely affected by solvents before applying this type of adhesive. Water-based adhesives, including EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL Solvent Free, offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to regular, solvent-based adhesives. With no corrosive qualities, water-based grab adhesives can be used on almost any interior surface without the risk of a chemical reaction. Most grab adhesives are applied using a standard cartridge gun. All surfaces must be clean, dry and free from dust, grease and other loose material. Any paint should be removed from surfaces where the adhesive will make contact and metal surfaces should be degreased with detergent and water or an appropriate degreaser.

Cut off the dome at the top of the cartridge, taking care not to damage the thread. Cut the nozzle to the desired width and angle and screw onto the cartridge. Insert the cartridge into a cartridge gun and repeatedly squeeze the trigger until the adhesive appears. Apply parallel beads of adhesive to one of the surfaces, then align and bring the surfaces together, pressing firmly.

After carefully scraping off the excess, uncured adhesive can be removed using heavy-duty cleaning wipes or a cloth lightly moistened with white spirit. Cured adhesive can only be mechanically removed, for example by cutting, sanding or scraping. Always refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet before use to ensure its suitability for your task.

EVO-STIK Strong Stuff waterproof grab adhesive, £9.99 per 290ml, Bostik

EVO-STIK GRIPFILL solvent free adhesive, £2.79 per 350ml, Bostik Ensuring that the joins around your shower or bath are properly sealed will not only protect them from water, but make the area look neat and tidy too. Macramé tiles, from £50 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Achieve a professional finish by using sealant to fill any gaps between wet areas and tiles. Arles Snow décor mix gloss tiles, £39.99 per sq m, CTD Tiles Look out for ownbrand sealant, which can save you £££s if you ’re working to a tight budget. Wilko’s is flexible, waterproof and mould-resistant. All-purpose interior silicone sealant in White, £4 per 300ml, Wilko

Seal of approval

Harriet Goodacre, Brand Communications Manager and Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles, recommends… SEALANT With waterproof, anti-mould and anti-mildew properties, silicone sealants are a great option for bathrooms to fill gaps around basins, baths and shower trays, and help to achieve a neat look around the edge of tiles. They ’re usually available in white or clear finishes, and occasionally colours. There are two main types of silicone sealant. Acetoxy Cure can be fully cured in just 24 hours but cannot be used on porous surfaces like limestone or travertine. Oxime Cure takes slightly longer to set but is suitable for use on delicate surfaces like marble and granite as well as metal and glass.

To apply, first ensure the surface is clean and dry. Insert the sealant cartridge into a caulking gun, making sure to cut the tip of the cartridge wider than the gap you ’re filling. Holding the tip at a 45 degree angle, apply from one end to the other ensuring the sealant is evenly distributed. To finish, use a sealant smoothing tool to remove any excess and ensure a smooth finish.