New bathroom, sealant issue

[Jevarakh]

I've had a new bathroom installed and I am over the moon.

But there's always something...

There appears to be a gap under the sealant around the bath, between the edge of the bath and the tiles. You can stick a piece of card under it, quite a way back to the wall.

And although I have kept and will keep it scrupulously clean and dry and aired, the card comes out damp, with black stuff on it!

Surely, this can't be mould, after a single week?

The installer is coming back to make a few adjustments but I wanted to check here first and be armed with knowledge. I already know about double sealing so I hope he has done that.

For info it was done via B&Q using a local fitter with a good reputation, who a friend of mine has used with no issues. And he has done an amazing job on my bathroom, especially the tiling. I am as I said well pleased, save for this issue. I can't believe he would skimp on something so essential, I also can't believe there is black mould after only a week!

Any advice welcome!

Did they fill the bath before sealant so it was heavy and therefore at its lowest? I’d definitely get them to reseal. I’ve just had my bath done and had them back a number of times to fix/adjust/reseal. Nightmare.

Yes they did.

It'll probably be ok, I'm just paranoid cos it's my nice new bathroom, after years of squalor.

Another potential issue... Should there not also be sealant at the bottom of the bath panel? It screwed into place but there's a gap where it meets the floor, another place where water can get in.

I seal where ever I can, so around bath, bottom and sides of panel. I fill the bath full with water then seal around bath. For neatness I use masking tape either side and run a wet finger with a bit of washing up liquid along the seal. They haven't done a good job if there's gaps.

Yes, this doesn't sound ok. Get them to have another go. But congrats on new bathroom. Pics?

Before...

After...

What a transformation! You must be delighted.

I am! There was extensive water damage as you can see. It hadn't been touched for 25 years.

Which is why I'm probably oversensitive about water getting into places it shouldn't be in the new bathroom.

I'll see what the fitter says when he comes round.

It was a shame to say goodbye to my old loo, after a quarter of a century of loyal service. I wonder what it could say if it could speak.

But so wonderful to welcome in the new one. Been planning this for years but the pandemic put a stop to my plans.

The fitter came back and is going to reseal around the bath.

He said they don't seal bath panels at the bottom because they flex and any sealant applied would break. And underneath the bath is waterproofed.

Fair enough though I'm still a bit worried about water going under the bath. It doesn't seem to be an issue with other people's bathrooms and in fact my old one either. I'm probably worrying too much having spent a lot of money on this.

Let's see how he does on resealing it.

Good luck with this, Jevarakh. Whatever happens don't stress about the dosh. We spent an eyewatering amount converting our grotty bathroom to a swish shower room and every morning it's bliss to go in there so I don't regret it a jot. The important thing is that you're over the moon with your new bathroom and if the bottom of the bath needs redoing that's a small thing in the scheme of things. Maybe get a second opinion about sealing the bottom of the bath panels. Ultimately, though, if your fitter turns out to be wrong and there's excess water they'll have to sort it out. Happy bathing 😎

They have used a cheap sealant with too much solvent do when the sealant has cured, the solvent has “fllashed off” and shrunk as a result.

tell your plumber than you’d like him to remove it and replace Using Dow Corning 785.

yes I do have some knowledge here. I am a fascinating dinner party guest.

I don't think you're right about that.

What he says has happened is, the bath has sunk slightly before the sealant has dried properly. He is going to redo it. And then we'll see.

As for the bath panel and the floor he doesn't think it's a problem, but I know water goes under there because I have stuck a bit of card underneath after a bath and after I have dried everything off and it comes out wet. It seems to dry out by the next morning though.

Don't get me wrong I am absolutely over the moon about this and I am confident that the installer is professional and competent as he has a good reputation and others have used and recommended.

It was done through b&q so comes with a two-year guarantee.

Having a complete new bathroom done including painting the walls and tiling and a new floor is a massive job and I was expecting there to be a few teething troubles with it.

A decent sealant - like Dow Corning 785 (no I don’t work for them) - has got more flex in it because it has more silicone in it so it will a. Have more flex when you get in or fill the bath. And b. more Silicone on the gap so less chance of it gapping. Trust me. I know about sanitary sealants.

it’ll cost him £4 more per cartridge which is why he hasn’t used it. But it’s cost him more having to come back and redo it. Never trust a plumber that uses cheap sealant.

And I’ve just seen it was through B&Q. Yes he used cheap sealant (he has to use the sealant they specify. He doesn’t care about the cost of the call back as he’ll be paid anyway).

go to a builders merchant. Buy a better sealant. Insist he uses it when he comes back. You’ll thank me later.

It was not cheap believe me!

But I can believe they have to use the cheap stuff that b&q provide.

I will mention it to him.

@Jevarakh do you mind if I ask roughly how much it all cost?

Oh I’m sure the bathroom wasn’t cheap. And Im Sure it’s lovely. But the sealant will have been!

Well he's been back and re-sealed around the bath, and it has remained sealed.

He also did the bath panel at the bottom.

So all sorted!

The cost - it was £5970 in all, £1279 for the bath, bath panel, basin, bog, radiator, flooring tiles, paint and sealant, and £4691 installation costs - a lot, but it was a complete installation, EVERYTHING was done! Cost included VAT and removal of all the old shite.