Silicone sealant is a great way to waterproof your home, however it needs replacing every few years to remain effective. If it’s time to replace your silicone sealant, then get your bathroom or kitchen looking fresh again with our step by step guide on how to remove old sealant safely, starting with how to apply a softening agent.
Apply a softening agent
There are several substances you can use to soften the silicone. We recommend vinegar, white spirit or a sealant remover such as Unibond or WD-40.
Before you begin the application, start by clearing the area you’re working in to avoid getting anything dirty or damaged.
Make sure the sealant is dry, then apply your softening agent onto the silicone with a damp cloth.
Wait for around 3 hours for the sealant to soften, then check how loose it is before moving onto the next step.
Scrape with an edge
Now your silicone sealant has softened up, it’s ready for removal.
For this part you’ll need to use a sharp blade such as a Stanley knife or razor blade. Be extremely careful when using these tools, we advise using protective gloves.
Make an incision into the sealant on or near a corner, being careful not to scratch your tile or wall. If the sealant is loose enough, you should be able to lift the sealant up from the edges using your tool, then pull it away using your fingers.
If the sealant doesn’t come away that easily, you’ll need to scrape it away in sections using your blade. You can also use a pair of pliers to pull the sealant out. Work slowly and carefully so as not to damage any surrounding areas.
Clean any residue
Once you’ve removed the silicone sealant, you’ll need to clean any residue.
Use a scouring pad with a mixture of warm water and bleach (or equivalent) to kill off any mould underneath. You can also use white spirit on any areas that are particularly tough to get rid of. Make sure you’re wearing protective gloves during this process.
Once the surface is clean, even and dry, you’ll be ready to apply your fresh, new sealant.
How to remove sealant from your clothes
Removing sealant can be a messy process, but if you’ve got some on your clothes then don’t worry! There are a few ways you can clean it off depending on how quickly you catch it.
Chemical solvents
If the silicone is still soft, then try blotting it out with some white spirit. Test the solvent out on an inconspicuous part of the clothing first to check it won’t damage the fabric and make sure to wear gloves when you’re dabbing the stain.
Try freezing it…
If you don’t notice the stain straight away, try popping your clothes in the freezer for a few hours to harden up the silicone. Once it’s hardened up, try scraping off as much as you can with a spatula, spoon or scraper.
…Then use washing up liquid
Once you’ve got as much silicone off as possible, mix some washing up liquid with a small amount of warm water and dab the stain. You may need to repeat this process a few times to fully remove the silicone. Once it’s clean, use fresh water to blot away any soap residue.
There you have it! Our step by step guide for getting rid of silicone sealant. If you get stuck along the way, or would like to hire a professional to apply your new sealant, then book a Tasker near you to get the job done.
