Silicone sealant is the flexible barrier that prevents water from getting behind your bath, shower tray, tiles and kitchen worktop. When it fails — whether through mould, cracking, peeling or lifting — it stops doing its job, and water can penetrate into the structure of your bathroom or kitchen. Replacing silicone is a critical maintenance task that’s often neglected until the damage is done.
Why Silicone Goes Wrong
Silicone sealant doesn’t last forever. The most common causes of silicone failure in UK bathrooms and kitchens:
- Mould growth — the most common complaint. Even mould-resistant silicone can develop surface mould in poorly ventilated bathrooms, and once mould penetrates into the silicone body it cannot be removed — the silicone must be replaced
- Adhesion failure — the silicone loses its bond to the tile, bath or tray and peels away, opening a gap that allows water ingress
- Cracking and splitting — as the silicone ages it loses flexibility and cracks under the movement it was designed to accommodate
- Colour change — white silicone yellows over time, particularly in kitchens
Can Mouldy Silicone Be Cleaned?
Surface mould on silicone can sometimes be treated with bleach-based products if caught very early. Once the mould has penetrated into the silicone (which appears as a consistent dark discolouration throughout the bead rather than just on the surface), no amount of cleaning will resolve it. Full removal and replacement of the silicone is the only effective solution.
The Importance of Full Removal
One of the most common DIY silicone mistakes is applying new silicone over old. This never works for long — the new silicone bonds to the old rather than to the tile and bath surfaces, and the old silicone’s failure will quickly compromise the new bead. Full removal of all the old silicone — right down to the tile and bath surface — is essential for a durable result.
Professional Silicone Replacement
Professional silicone removal and replacement ensures: complete removal of all old silicone, cleaning and degreasing of the joint, application of the correct grade of silicone for the application (sanitary silicone for baths and showers, kitchen-grade for worktops), and a clean, professional finish that will look good and last. The right grade of silicone matters — using an incorrect product significantly reduces durability.
Get a Silicone Replacement Quote
Shazam Repairs provides specialist silicone removal and resealing across the UK — bathrooms, kitchens, shower enclosures and worktops. Most silicone replacement visits are completed within 1–2 hours and the sealant is ready for water contact within 24 hours.
