Shower enclosure: a step-by-step description of the work

Do you equip the bathroom? Go to the installation stage of the shower? The installation of sanitary ware goes on as usual, and here the question arises of sealing the shower tray to the wall. What to do and where to start working, in order to get a quality pallet and the walls of the cabin? Read yourself why it is so important to perform joint seams qualitatively and what can result in a leaky work done.

Selection of sealing materials for bathtubs and showers

Sealant is a pasty substance usedto conduct joints in order to increase the sealing. The substance has found its application at the stage of strengthening the joints of construction materials, gaps around window and door structures, pipes, when installing tile products and sanitary units.

Building silicone sealant in case of emergency can be replaced with aquarium silicone.

Features of the use of sealants based on silicone

Such substances are excellent for bondingseveral parts among themselves, are used to clog gaps. Sealant - just a find for the bathroom and kitchen, rooms with high humidity. A distinctive feature of the silicone sealant is a neutral reaction to the ultraviolet.

Without the use of natural antibacterialsilicone as a sealant is not necessary installation of shells, installation and sealing of shower cabins, gluing of ceramic, aluminum, glass, metal surfaces.

Component composition of silicone sealant

The composition of silicone sealant includes: hydrophobic pigment filler - 45%, silicone rubber - 45%, related plasticizers, catalysts, fungicides, thixotropic agents. One of the best quality silicone sealants on the market are ANTIA, STERN, Sofamix.

To seal the shower is bestsuitable means, consisting only of silicone, without inclusion in the composition of additional impurities. Such material is characterized by a low shrinkage index - up to 2%. If you can not find such a sealant, you can use a product with a small amount of organic solvents and extender, mechanical fillers (quartz flour, chalk) in its composition.

Well, when the sealant contains fungicides. This option is also suitable for sealing the shower cabin, as the substance prevents the development of fungus and mold in rooms with high humidity.

Choosing between neutral and acidic silicone,preferably the first option. It is not characterized by a pronounced sharp odor, and indeed, it can be attributed to the category of universal building sealants.

Rules of work

Sealing the shower enclosure involves the use of materials such as:

• sealing cord;
• rags;
• silicone sealant.

In order to do all the work correctly,it is necessary to pre-prepare the treated surfaces: to clean from old layers, mud deposits, accumulations of dust and grease. Perform cleaning works preferably on the day of installation of the cab and pallet.

To effectively remove the remnants of the old sealant, use special solvents for silicone.

Applying polysulfide, silicone, acrylic and butyl sealants, seams and surfaces are not only cleaned, but also dried.

Do not use soapy water or dish soap. Such a means only worsens the adhesion.

To remove the remnants of the old sealant and otherPollution from concrete and stone surfaces using metal brushes, if necessary use special solvent and cleaning liquids.

Plastic, metal and glassSurfaces are wiped with a solvent or an alcohol-containing liquid, the remainders of which are soaked with moisture-absorbing napkins. To prevent the penetration of sealant on adjacent areas of the seams, use a special adhesive tape to seal the shower, which is easily removed after completion of all work.

Performance Requirements

The area of ​​the surface to be treated should not beoverheated or supercooled. Optimum temperature is considered in the range from +5 to +40 degrees Celsius. Before starting work, the tube with the sealant is heated to room temperature. The method of application depends on the type of packaging of the product. The mixture for sealing the seams of the shower enclosure appears after the tube is squeezed or the pump is exposed.

To form a beautiful seam and gently remove excess sealant, use a spatula soaked in water.

The procedure is carried out without delay, sincethe external film coating of the sealant dries out quite quickly: within 5-30 minutes from the moment of application. The drying time depends on the component composition of the product. The rejection of the material at a humidity of up to 50% and a temperature of about +20 degrees occurs at a rate of 2-4 mm per day.

Sequence of the shower enclosure sealing

Getting started, make sure that the surfacewas absolutely dry. This is the first and most important rule in sealing work. After preparing the surface, proceed to assemble the shower enclosure, following the instructions: first install the side walls, after fixing all the guides. I use screws for this. Then proceed to fasten the top of the box and hoses.

At each stage of the assembly, all joints and jointsparts are carefully spread with a sealant. In doing so, do not forget to make sure that the holes for the fasteners (screws and screws) are on the outside. So you will achieve the maximum effect of sealing the shower enclosure with your hands, without damaging certain areas during the assembly process.

Seams, which are covered with sealant, fix with screws and allow to dry completely. Excess agents are removed with rags before the sealant is completely cured.

After this, the shower enclosure is sealed withtray on the front side. For such work, use a sealing cord. It is mounted by butt between the glass adjacent to the frame and additionally treated with sealant. This will help improve the waterproofing properties of problem areas.

Surface re-treatment

After the sealant has dried, checkconstruction for leaks. To do this, it will be sufficient to direct the flow of water to the joints. In 80% of cases, traces of leaks are detected, so re-treatment is required, before which the cabin is again necessarily dried.

As you can see, the preparation of the shower enclosure for installationdoes not differ in complexity, and the processing of the pallet sealant is easy to perform at home without the need to call the masters. It is easy to hold and with your own hands.