Make it neat – A sealant application tool, such as the Fugi by Cramer, will help you to achieve a neat and even bead of silicone sealant Choose the correct type of silicone sealant that is compatible with your chosen wall or floor coverings (such as natural stone, porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles). Consult the tile supplier or sealant manufacturer for further guidance.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions – As a rule of thumb shower doors and enclosures should only be sealed around the outside at the bases and on the inside and outside of the vertical profiles where they meet the tiled walls. Sealing around the base on the inside will often cause a shower enclosure to leak. Carefully read the manufacturers sealing instructions before applying silicone sealant. Give the area a final wipe down with a clean damp cloth to remove any residual detergent but do not get the area wet. The nozzle of the silicone sealant tube will usually feature perforated marks to indicate where and how to trim the nozzle but a good rule of thumb is to cut at a 45-degree angle and create a 5-6mm hole in the end of the tube, which can be enlarged if a wider bead is required. Clean and dry – Use warm water containing a mild detergent to thoroughly remove grime and residue from the area and then use paper towels or a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. Do not apply too much sealant as excessive amounts can be difficult and messy to remove. More sealant can be applied prior to smoothing if required 6 – Make sure there are no gaps in the sealant bead

Remove loose deposits and surface dust with a vacuum then, with a damp cloth that has been soaked in a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to remove any stubborn deposits, thoroughly clean and dry the area where the silicone sealant will be applied (the shower tray surface and tiles).

This section has hundreds of instructional videos showing how to do the easiest of DIY related jobs right up to a full bathroom refurbishment. If you cannot find the video you are looking for please use the search box. Buy a good retractable utility knife. A sharp knife will be required for opening the silicone sealant and trimming the application nozzle to size. Whether you are resealing the shower enclosure in the bathroom at home or you are a contractor planning on sealing showers for a large development, the best advice we can give you is: Seal that shower – Follow our shower tray sealing tips above for hassle-free shower sealing with a smooth, neat finish. Once a smooth, uniform bead has been achieved around the shower tray, do not be tempted to keep smoothing the silicone as it will start to tear, look untidy and may not adhere correctly. 10 – Allow the silicone sealant to dry fully

Thoroughly dry the shower tray area with paper towel or allow the shower tray to air dry for a couple of hours before applying the silicone sealant, which will not adhere properly should any moisture remain. Apply the silicone sealant to the inner corner of the shower tray. Use gentle pressure to the trigger of the application gun and work towards the front of the shower tray in one continuous, smooth action to ensure application of a uniform silicone bead. We know that not everyone has the luxury of a freestanding bath and that many modern bathroom designs will incorporate over-bath showers that also require sealing. When sealing a bath, follow the preparation advice above but remember that there is one crucial extra step you will need to take before reaching for the silicone sealant. The water in the bath acts as a weight (most baths settle slightly when filled due to the movement in flooring) and ensures that the silicone sealant will not stretch or tear when the tub is filled at bath time and the weight of a human is added. In this video I install some UPVC quadrant beading to a shower tray. This is often the only solution to get a waterproof seal, if the gap between the tiles and the shower tray is too large. This can also be done to the side of a bath, if there is a large gap. This is the second video in the series, how to clean the old silicone off and re-apply new silicone can be seen in this video- https://youtu.be/6o5JVxvWuhQ