How to apply or change sanitary sealant correctly?

Like any heavily used surface, the sealant does not last forever and needs to be replaced after certain number of years. Resealing your sanitary joints will not only get your room back to looking as it should, but it will also help to prevent leaks and costly damage in the future.

Changing a sealant can be done by anyone, however it is not as simple as spreading it on the surface and allowing it to cure. There are few steps to follow if you want to have perfect joints.

Preparation:
Before the new sealant can be applied, surfaces to be sealed need to be prepared properly. First, remove the existing sealant. To get rid of the stubborn sealant residues, use a bit of white spirit. Next, make sure that surfaces to be sealed are dust and dirt free, and dry. To get a cleaner result, tape the adjacent surfaces with masking tape.

Tools:
To apply the sealant, you will need a sealant gun and a spatula. Some sanitary sealants, such as above mentioned Penosil silicones already come with a spatula. Penosil’s specially developed spatula makes smoothing the sealant and giving it the right angle so much easier.  Next, cut the tip of a sealant cartridge. Then, cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle and at a width of the joint. After screwing the nozzle onto the cartridge, insert it into the sealant gun.

Application:
Starting from a corner, work across the length of the surface in a smooth movement. Place the gun at a 45-degree angle along the joint you want to seal and apply sealant with even pressure. After application, smoothen the sealant with a spatula. Dip the spatula in water and glide it at an angle along the sealant making it smooth and pushing it into the gap. Remove tape immediately after smoothing. In order not to damage joint surface, remove the tape carefully. While the sealant dries, ventilate the room well and make sure it stays free from dust.

Making sure you are using the right sanitary sealant, applying it correctly and looking after it regularly guarantees crisp and clean sanitary joints for many years to come.

More detailed instructions on how to seal sanitary joints correctly can be found in Wolf Group’s Sanitary Sealing Manual.

More information on Penosil’s Sanitary category.