Replace bathroom sealant work before leaks start
Black, cracked or peeling sealant? Send a few photos via WhatsApp and you'll get a tailored price.
Rated on Google · Price in advance · Guarantee on the work
Sealant joints are the flexible seams between tiles and bath, shower tray, washbasin or toilet. They absorb movement and keep water out of the structure. That also makes them vulnerable: sealant ages, goes mouldy and comes loose, and then water runs behind the tiles or down to the floor below. On this page you can read when it's time to replace, how we do it and why 'putting a layer over the top' is not a solution.
Short answer
Replace sealant if it stays black after cleaning, cracks, comes loose or sounds hollow. In a frequently used shower, good sanitary sealant often lasts several years, but that depends heavily on ventilation and cleaning. Proper replacement means: removing all old sealant, cleaning the surface and letting it dry, and only then applying new sealant. The price depends on the number of metres and how difficult the old sealant is to remove; you'll hear that in advance after photos.
- Never apply new sealant over old sealant: it adheres poorly and mould comes back.
- After sealing, usually do not use the shower for at least a day (see the packaging).
- Is it already leaking downstairs? Then first have the cause identified.
Call me back
Leave your name and number and we'll call you. Prefer immediate contact? Call 070 783 0224 or message us.
When does sealant work need replacing?
- Black spots that keep coming back. Mould is then in the sealant, not on it. Cleaning helps temporarily, but it comes back.
- Cracks or a seam coming away from the tile or tray. Water gets behind it with every shower.
- Sealant that has become hard, crumbly or yellow. The elasticity is then gone and it cracks at the first movement.
- Damp patches under or next to the shower, or a ceiling stain at the neighbours' or on the floor below. Then water has already come through; have the cause checked as well.
- After installing a new tray or new tiles there should always be new sealant.
How long sealant lasts varies greatly. In a bathroom with good ventilation and a shower that is wiped dry after use, it lasts much longer than in a small bathroom without a window. We therefore don't give a fixed term; rather look at the signs above.
How we replace sealant work
- Remove old sealant completely. With knife and scraper, down to the tile and the tray. Leftover residue is the main reason new sealant comes loose.
- Clean and degrease. Remove soap residue and mould. Where mould was deep, we treat the joint first.
- Allow to dry. Sealant does not adhere to a wet surface. In a shower that has just been used, we therefore wait or dry the seam.
- Apply new sanitary sealant and finish neatly. In a colour that matches the grout or tray, without smears on the tiles.
- Explain curing time. How long you must wait before showering is stated on the sealant packaging; usually that's at least one day.
With a bath or shower tray that flexes when you stand in it, sealant quickly cracks again. In that case we advise first having the tray supported or secured. Otherwise you'll pay twice later.
What does replacing sealant work in the bathroom cost?
Sealant work is not listed as a fixed price in our price list. How much work it is depends on the number of metres, how firmly the old sealant is stuck and whether there's mould behind it.
That's why we work with a tailored price after photos. Send us an overview photo and a close-up of each joint (shower, bath, washbasin, toilet). Then you'll receive a fixed price in advance. If you combine it with another job, such as a loose tile or a leaking tap, we'll do it in one visit.
| Item | Excl. VAT | Incl. 21% VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out charge: first 30 minutes + diagnosis | € 100 – € 165 | € 121 – € 199,65 |
| Call-out charge | € 35 | € 42,35 |
If a job is not listed in the price list, you will receive a tailored quote after photos or a short visit. For that visit, the call-out charge is € 100 – € 165 excl. VAT (€ 121 – € 199.65 incl.) for the first half hour including diagnosis, plus travel costs of € 35 excl. VAT (€ 42.35 incl.). You will always hear the price before we start.
Do the sealant work yourself or have it done?
A single short joint at the washbasin you can do yourself with a bit of practice. Use sanitary sealant (not acrylic sealant, which is not intended for wet areas), really remove all the old sealant and make sure the joint is dry. Masking off with painter's tape gives a clean line.
Have it done for the shower and bath, where water is directly on the joint, and certainly if there's already damp or a ceiling stain. Then it's not just about the sealant, but about whether water has already got into the floor or wall. For that, also read shower leak and bathroom leak.
Questions about sealant work in the bathroom
How long does sealant last in the bathroom?
That varies greatly per bathroom. With good ventilation and a shower that's wiped dry after use, it lasts much longer than in a damp bathroom without extraction. Replace the sealant as soon as it stays black, cracks or comes loose.
Can I apply new sealant over the old sealant?
No. New sealant adheres poorly to old sealant, and mould behind the old layer simply continues to grow. The old sealant must be removed completely.
What does sealant replacement cost?
That depends on the number of metres and the condition of the old sealant. After photos, you'll receive a tailored price. For a visit, the starting rate of € 100 – € 165 excl. VAT (€ 121 – € 199.65 incl.) plus call-out costs applies.
How long must I wait before showering after sealant work?
That's stated on the packaging of the sealant used. Usually it's at least a day. We'll tell you afterwards how long for your situation.
Why does my sealant keep turning black?
That's mould in the sealant, usually caused by moisture that sits for a long time. Better ventilation and wiping down the shower after use help. Once the mould is in the sealant, the only solution is replacement.
Can leaking sealant cause leaks downstairs?
Yes. A cracked seal around a shower tray or bath lets water through to the floor or the storey below with every shower. If you see a ceiling stain, have the cause inspected as well.
