Some people order assembly from professionals. And some people prefer to assemble a shower cabin with their own hands, fortunately there is nothing complicated about it. There are now a lot of instructions and recommendations on the Internet for self-assembly, for example, the article Assembling an 80 by 80 shower cabin with your own hands will help you assemble almost any shower cabin.
And when assembling any shower cabin, the question always arises: what sealant to choose, and how to apply it, in what places.
There are many different sealants, both in color and type (for example, silicone, acrylic, polyurethane). Some people even manage to use sealants for car gaskets and others.
Let's say right away that the shower cabin is assembled only with sanitary silicone sealant, usually white or transparent. All other sealants are not recommended.
Of course, if you do not have the opportunity to purchase silicone sanitary sealant, you can use any other one, and it will also perform its function for some time, namely, prevent water leaks from the shower stall, but why “reinvent the wheel” and invent something , if this has already been done for us a long time ago.
It doesn’t matter what color sealant you use, transparent or white . Very often, during assembly, even two types of sealant are used, one package is transparent, the other is white.
By the way, to assemble a shower cabin, it usually takes two 330 ml packages of sealant.
Most often, when assembling a shower stall with a plastic white back wall, a white sealant is used, and for all other types a transparent sealant is used.
Why is sanitary silicone sealant used ? It contains special additives (fungicides) that will prevent mold and mildew from appearing on the surface of the sealant (after all, we are talking about wet rooms).
Plus, silicone sanitary sealants are elastic (this is important, since the shower tray “breathes”, that is, it does not move much, under the weight of water or a person).
The adhesion of sanitary silicone sealants is at a high level; they “cling” perfectly to PVC (plastic) and metals and ceramics (tiles, for example), earthenware, glass, etc.
They are not afraid of high temperatures and temperature changes, high humidity, and are environmentally friendly.
In general, sanitary sealants were specially developed for bathtubs and showers.
It is worth noting that it is better to use sanitary sealants from foreign or Russian manufacturers, but the price of any good sealant should start from approximately 250-300 rubles per package weighing 280-300 g
Of course, you can also use inexpensive Russian sealants, and sometimes even they are quite good, but you will always notice the difference after some time.
It manifests itself in the fact that inexpensive sealants usually quickly begin to turn black, this is due to the fact that cheaper fillers and components were used in production.
If you are interested in a specific brand, we recommend that you pay attention to the trademarks Ceresit, Tytan, Soudal. Moment sealant has also proven itself quite well .
Peculiarities
This is a special composition that creates a waterproof film. The sealant is intended for filling joints and all kinds of gaps between the pallet and the wall.
One of the advantages of these products is excellent adhesion, thanks to which they easily adhere to various surfaces:
- glass;
- sanitary ware;
- plastic;
- ceramic tiles, etc.
Using caulk, you can quickly fill the space left between the edges of the shower stall, making it fit snugly against the wall and preventing water from leaking out. The important thing is that this product creates a solid and dense layer that retains its structure for a long time.
The use of sealant is especially important when installing prefabricated shower cabins. In this case, it can even be used to process the joints of the structure itself, which makes it completely impermeable to moisture. This way, when the door is closed, your bathroom floors will always remain dry, and there is no need to worry about the development of fungus.
Purpose
The shower stall is a compact plastic or glass “corner” with a drain pan. It is attached to a wall, often covered with tiles. Where different materials come into contact, gaps usually form through which water gradually leaks. Therefore, after using this device, puddles periodically form on the floor, and mold appears due to high humidity. To avoid such troubles, it is necessary to seal the seams in the shower stall.
Sealant is a building material that resembles thick sour cream in appearance. After application, it almost instantly forms a film that reliably protects surfaces from moisture and holds parts together. The sealant can be applied to glass, metal, aluminum and other substrates.
Types of sealants for shower cabins
Today you can find a variety of products on sale, and each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. To make it easier for you to navigate the variety of sealants, we have prepared a brief description of each type.
Acrylic
This is one of the most common and accessible means today. It can be found in almost any hardware or hardware store, and the price is affordable for a wide range of consumers.
If we talk about the advantages of this sealant, then it is worth highlighting:
- ease of application;
- the possibility of coating with varnish or paint (this is done from the point of view of aesthetics and design);
- absence of unpleasant and pungent odor;
- average operating temperature range (from –25 to +80 degrees Celsius).
Acrylic sealants also have disadvantages. They have little elasticity and therefore should not be used on seams that are constantly subject to movement. When purchasing, you need to make sure that the composition is water resistant. This property must be noted on the packaging.
Silicone
Another very popular sealant, which has several undeniable advantages over acrylic products:
- ideal for rooms with high humidity levels;
- reliably seals all cracks, even the smallest ones;
- has high moisture resistance;
- easily tolerates a wider range of temperatures (from –50 to +200 degrees).
When working with silicone sealant, be sure to use a special gun. The product can be applied with your hands, but this creates a greasy film on the skin that is very difficult to wash off. This composition hardens quite quickly, and therefore, when delayed, it begins to cling to the skin and move away from the surface of the wall or elements of the cabin.
Using a gun, you can “drive” the sealant into the mounting joints and cracks, and it fills all the available space. It is not recommended to use silicone compounds to seal polyacrylic and polycarbonate, since when it expands it can increase microcracks, which will open the way for moisture.
Polyurethane sealants
These compositions have a number of features, in particular:
- increased adhesion;
- good elasticity;
- strength.
The downside is the high cost, which is why such sealants are used mostly by professional craftsmen and on those sites where enhanced sealing of seams and joints is required. Before applying this product, it is necessary to thoroughly prime the surface, which slows down the pace of work.
Sealants based on MS polymer
These products appeared on sale not so long ago, but due to their good performance and their technical characteristics, they have become very popular among craftsmen.
The high demand for these sealants is due to:
- possibility of painting after complete hardening;
- good indicator of elasticity;
- very rapid hardening even at low temperatures;
- excellent adhesion without the need for preliminary priming of the surface;
- resistant not only to fresh water, but also to salt water.
The high price of sealants based on MS polymers makes them inaccessible to most consumers. Over time, these compounds may turn yellow.
What is important when choosing
When seriously approaching the question of which sealant is best to use, you need to take into account many important points, carefully study the manufacturer’s description and composition, this approach will help you avoid a lot of mistakes.
Professionals pay attention to specific indicators; their list will be useful not only for beginners; each owner will be able to compare the procedure for getting to know the solution and his personal skills in choosing a mixture.
Release form
When deciding which sealant is better, it is worth looking at this indicator; options for containers of 100 grams or less will not become relevant when working with shower cabins that have many parts and seams.
Packages that are too large will be expensive, but the master is unlikely to be able to use the entire solution, so you need to choose the volume taking into account the planned installation.
Having a special gun available will significantly reduce consumption, and manipulations will not bring a lot of inconvenience; this point should also be taken into account when visiting a store to purchase materials.
Composition and construction materials
By studying the composition of a particular sealant, you will be able to see the presence of auxiliary ingredients. From the description, the master understands how well the mixture will combine with the surface of the cabin parts, be it metal, plastic or plexiglass.
If an acrylic pallet was purchased, then it is better to buy acrylic solution models for its installation and finishing; the similarity of the composition will lead to the creation of ideal adhesion between the planes.
Metal components are most often fixed and coated with silicone sealants, the seam is strong, reliable, and also resistant to mechanical stress.
Company manufacturer
For many people, it is no secret that counterfeits are often found on the shelves of specialized stores; these product samples should be avoided in every possible way.
You must trust only trusted suppliers whose products have already been purchased by consumers and left positive feedback. Unknown brands do not guarantee a positive result, since such companies rarely worry about personal image, which cannot be said about companies known throughout the world.
Color
The shade of the seam can make changes to the interior of the entire room that will be unpleasant to look at, so when choosing a model it is worth considering the color of the plumbing, pallet or other structural details.
Transparent solution models are considered to be ideal product samples, but sometimes even such unique compositions will not be relevant. Acrylic types of mixtures can be painted in a suitable shade upon completion of installation, which makes their popularity increasing every year.
Sanitary additives
Such additions are provided to prevent the formation of fungus and mold; microorganisms harmful to health in rooms with high humidity can multiply quickly.
It is important to prevent even the slightest manifestation of pathogenic substances, otherwise fighting them will take a lot of time and effort.
Specialized sealants for damp areas include all the necessary sanitary additives; the description can be found in the product instructions or by reading the text on the back of the tube.
Water resistance
The constant contact of the layer with water and steam makes this indicator the most important on the list; when choosing a model, you need to check the degree of water resistance with the seller.
Professional installers trust only compounds with maximum performance in order to guarantee the customer a long service life and protection against leaks.
Which one is better to choose?
If your choice is not determined by any specific features, then you should use proven and affordable sealants. Silicone compounds are great for this. They are cheap, durable and practical.
When purchasing a product, pay attention to its instructions and labeling. Make sure that the sealant has antiseptic properties, which will help you not to worry about the development of microorganisms on its surface. Water resistance is also a priority.
It is not recommended to purchase products that contain more than 10% of all kinds of additives, as this can impair adhesion and negatively affect the properties of the sealant.
How rework is carried out
First you need to identify areas of leakage. To do this, the joints are watered. To eliminate the leak, the sealant of the shower stall needs to be replaced. For this:
- Loosen the fasteners and clean off the remains of the old paste without harming the parts. Mechanical or chemical means are used (for example, titanium based on phosphoric acid). First you need to make sure that the drug will not corrode the surface.
- The area is degreased with laundry soap (72%) or alcohol, thoroughly dried and a fresh composition is applied. After this you need to tighten the screws.
Silicone protective elements are purchased for hydroboxes and shower cabins:
- seals - “eyelashes” - are mounted on the door and, when closed, form a reliable barrier to water flows;
- drippers - prevent leakage near the floor with special “petals” that set the direction of water droplets.
Popular companies
Today in the construction market you can find a huge selection of manufacturers producing these compounds, and we are talking not only about foreign companies, but also about domestic companies.
Among the most popular brands it is worth highlighting:
- Boxer;
- Ceresit;
- Penosil;
- DowCorning;
- Somafix;
- CikiFix;
- Bison;
- Dap Alex Plus;
- Tytan;
- "Moment".
This list contains compositions from different price categories. All of them are generally excellent for sealing a shower stall. Choose the one that suits your needs without breaking your budget. Remember that a high price is not always an indicator of good quality. There are many Russian sealants on sale that are affordable and at the same time help to achieve excellent results.
Comparison table of characteristics
In order to compare the presented options, we suggest considering a short table with the main characteristics.
| Model | Volume (ml) | Tone | A country | View |
| RAVAK PROFESSIONAL X01200 | 310 | white, transparent | Czech | silicone |
| KIM TEC SILICON ACETAT 101E | 310 | white, transparent | Germany | silicone |
| BELINKA BELSIL SANITARY ACETATE | 280 | white, transparent | Slovenia | silicone |
| MAKROFLEX SX101 | 85 | white | Estonia | silicones. |
| MOMENT GERMENT | 280 | transparent, white | Germany | acrylic. |
| CERESIT CS 7 | 280 | white | Türkiye | acrylic. |
| MASTERTEKS PM UNIVERSAL | 290 | white | Poland | silicones. |
Which areas need to be sealed?
Now we should consider the practical part of the question - where exactly to apply the composition, how much to use to achieve an excellent result, and whether you need to save.
Pallet perimeter
First of all, completely treat the joints of the bowl into which the water flows. If possible, it is recommended to fill with sealant all the seams between the pallet and the floor, as well as those places where it is docked to the wall. This way you won't have to worry about dampness.
Before you begin sealing the pan itself, make sure that the plumbing is in good working order. For example, if the corrugation is bent at a strong angle, it may crack over time. Water leaking out will not dry out under the pan, and dampness will create a favorable environment for fungus and insects.
Make sure that the drain is in good condition and is not leaking, and then proceed to seal the pan.
Shower corner
After you have installed the side walls, connected and adjusted the plumbing, and checked the functionality of the communications, you can begin sealing the joints between the corner and the wall.
Experienced craftsmen recommend applying a small amount of the product to the fastening units and connections themselves, and at the assembly stage. In this case, you will create a water-repellent layer, which will help keep moisture inside the perimeter of the cabin.
If the seams are too large, you can use sealing cord. It is pressed into the cracks as far as possible, after which the top is sealed with sealant. When applying the composition, make sure that there is no dust or drops of water on the surface, as this will reduce adhesion.
Between the pallet and the corner
At the final stage, it is worth processing all the joints between the elements of the shower stall. This will make it completely sealed, and you can forget about problems with leaking water.
If funds allow, it is recommended to process the joining seams not only from the inside, but also from the outside. This way you can enhance the effect and extend the life of the shower cabin.
Best answers
Grandfather Stupid:
Good fresh cement diluted in liquid glass. In general, the sealant should not come off. Two options: when they smeared it, didn’t degrease it, or the cabin was shaking, it came off.
cement =)
errare humanum est:
There is white - then you can’t get it off. I didn’t clean it when I scored it - it’s still there in chunks (((
Michael:
There should be no sealant there; if there should be, then it should be covered with moldings and overlays. Silicone is applied to the parts of the cabins that are joined together, at the junction with the wall
Gugumot:
What the hell are you... oh, you didn’t buy sealant. When I sealed mine, I first degreased everything, and then went over it with sealant. It's been 4 years now that nothing has happened with the sealant, I haven't missed a drop.
Beauty:
my husband said to use a ceramic border, apply tile adhesive, and grout it... once it dries...
valli:
Special epoxy resin with synthetic additives using special fiberglass
Installation with sealant
The main thing is that when you apply the compound to the joints of structural elements, do not use too much sealant. Otherwise, when docking, its excess will come out and will have to be removed with special means and compounds.
It is not recommended to neglect this stage. You should not skimp on sealant, since mold often accumulates at the joints between the frames and other elements of the cabin.
How to replace the silicone layer
When replacing a silicone seam, it is better to dismantle the structure. It's troublesome, but effective. Residues of “old” silicone must be completely removed, and walls, floors, and glass must be degreased. It is very difficult to remove residues and degrease the structure without dismantling it.
When purchasing sanitary silicone, do not forget to purchase a special gun for the tube - this will make the process of applying the sealant easier.
As a rule, silicone from walls and glass is first cut off with a knife. Silicone residues can be removed either with a special solvent or with ordinary vinegar.
Before applying a new layer of silicone, the area where the silicone will be applied must be dry and clean. The technology for applying a silicone seam is the same as for new designs.
Please do not forget to work with the door open, as silicones have a rather pungent acidic odor. After completing the work, you need to ventilate the room.
Removing excess sealant
To do this, you should use ordinary masking tape. You can apply it along the entire seam, in which case the excess sealant will not stick directly to the wall, plastic or glass surfaces. The tape itself is removed without any residue.
Before you begin, make sure you have a soft, lint-free cloth on hand. This allows you to quickly remove the sealant during application before it begins to harden.
Answers from experts
Rus Ivashkevitch:
1. The “sewage” outlet from the shower stall should be higher than the entrance to the sewer system existing in the house. If lower, make a “podium” according to the size of the cabin. 2. Compare the height of the shower cabin (taking into account point 1) + ventilation outlet from the cabin with the height of the room. The height of the room should be greater. 3. Provide (before installing the cabin) a supply of water (taps for shutting off in an accessible place) and electricity to the corner of it. 4. Before installation, I would prepare the wall behind the cabin in such a way that it would be possible to painlessly remove the cabin (you never know) and not have to do any repairs in the room after that. 5. When choosing the size of the cabin (pallet), try to bend in it. I can’t fit into the 90*90 cabin when bent.
Anfalova Elena:
It’s not worth spending that kind of money on a shower stall. My husband bought a tray and made glass doors, plus a faucet and shelves. It looks no worse than a booth and is 3-4 times cheaper! And a large acrylic tray.
RED:
There is an opinion that a Chinese cabin, so that everything is “smooth” and does not drip from anywhere, can only be assembled and installed by craftsmen who have eaten the dog at this. For example, you can install a Finnish cabin yourself if your hands grow from the right place.
My wife has been kicking me for two months now, but it’s kind of scary to buy from China. And other cabins here cost absolutely indecent money.
Lesya Ivanova:
My husband laid out a brick pedestal to make it higher. It is needed for some reason, either so that the water drains better, or for some other purpose. We installed it, then this problem arose. I had to take it down and redo it.
Sveta:
The main thing is that there are all spare parts in the cabin, otherwise there is often a shortage of equipment, you need to check everything carefully
Bely Oleg:
There are often problems with the equipment - when purchasing, check immediately, the original screws are no good, throw them away and twist your own, you need to silicone all the joints between the glass and panels - otherwise it will leak later, install the screen last, after you have turned on the water and checked for no leaks. . . That's all, probably... If you have any questions, write...
neangelOK:
take waterproof the main thing. Moment-germent
andrezz:
Any sealant for the bathroom, waterproofing.
come to the store and ask which one is suitable for the bathroom - they show you the required quantity, and then which one you like.
Mr Bond:
Yes, that’s the point: they show a lot of numbers, but it’s still difficult to choose. Doubts plague the veracity of what is written on the bottles. Of those that I tried, I personally liked Dow Corning 7091 more. In general, I took it for headlights, because it is specifically for flexible joints, glass and plastic, for example, or glass and metal, it is thicker than other sealants and goes deeper into the cracks. It is suitable for aquariums and showers - in general, for those places where water is constantly present. In general, buy products from trusted manufacturers so that you don’t have such problems in a month...
Irish McClaud:
The sealant must be waterproof and provide insulation. Yes, and I shouldn’t single out anything bad. Therefore, use a trick and take a thing that was developed for aquariums -
Laying roll insulation
To install material from a roll, you should do the following:
- The surface on the field is leveled with cement; the difference should not exceed 5 mm. At the junctions of the floor and wall, rounding is performed using a DSP.
- Cutting the canvases requires taking into account an overlap of 15-20 cm on each wall. After receiving the pieces, it is necessary to moisten the material with solar oil, which gives the material greater elasticity and high adhesion, and also helps eliminate excess quartz sand.
- Before laying, the canvas is laid on a flat surface for curing and leveling, the duration is 1 day.
- The surface is cleaned of all debris.
- Now they cover everything with a layer of bitumen, and sheet material is applied on top, and the sheet is rolled on top.
- After pasting (if it is self-adhesive) or melting the material with a gas lamp, the surface is left for a day.
- When the material hardens, a second layer is applied in the transverse direction from the previous material.
- The entire surface is treated with heated mastic.
