Buy a hygienic silicone sealant of good quality. It should specify that it is suitable for use in bathrooms / wetrooms and contain an anti-mould and bacterial additives such as Kerakoll Fugabella Eco Silicone Sealant or Kerakoll Fugabella AM Silicone Sealant, which are both available from our sister company UK Tiles Direct.

Starting from the point the silicone was first applied, place the silicone sealant smoothing tool against the shower tray and tiles. Apply gentle but even pressure and draw the tool along the length of the shower tray, remove excess silicone and leave a neat bead as you go. Allow to cure fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, fresh silicone should be left to dry or cure for a minimum of 24 hours, although this depends on the brand and type of sealant.

Top 10 tips for applying silicone sealant to shower trays

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 Wondering how to seal a shower tray or looking for top DIY tips on how best to apply silicone sealant? Room H2O’s expert advisors are here to help …

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. 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: 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.If using a tool to smooth the silicone sealant, select the correct aperture size to produce a bead that will fully cover the gap between the shower tray and tiles.

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. Give the area a final wipe down with a clean damp cloth to remove any residual detergent but do not get the area wet.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

Seal that shower – Follow our shower tray sealing tips above for hassle-free shower sealing with a smooth, neat finish. 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 Once you have finished each line of sealant, release the pressure from the application gun. Wipe away excess sealant from the nozzle and replace the cap. Residual pressure can remain in the tube causing silicone sealant to leak from the nozzle so take care! 8 – Achieving a perfect silicone sealant bead 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. 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 sealantBuy a good retractable utility knife. A sharp knife will be required for opening the silicone sealant and trimming the application nozzle to size. One of the most common causes of water leaks from shower trays, shower enclosures and baths is the poor application of silicone sealant. Here are some handy tips to set you on the right path and make sure you apply silicone sealant correctly to achieve a professional finish and prevent water leaks. Shower tray sealing: the right tools