If you're installing or renovating a shower, it’s important to make sure the changes you make will last through years of wear and tear. Using shower pan sealant will help make sure your shower pan stays sturdy and waterproof, no matter what messes life throws at it. Here’s why silicone shower pan sealant might be the best solution for your next project and how you can use it effectively.

Why Use Silicone Shower Pan Sealant?

It’s important to understand how shower pans work, why it’s important to seal them properly, and why silicone sealant is the best option to install and waterproof them.

What is a Shower Pan?

A shower pan is a prefabricated shower insert that forms the floor of a shower. They come in a variety of standardized shapes, sizes, and materials including fiberglass, acrylic, and stone. You can buy them at any home improvement store or custom order the perfect shower pan for your job.

When you install a shower pan, you need to seal around the drain underneath, the seams along the walls, and, if applicable, along the outside of the glass shower screen. If you don't create solid seals or use the wrong sealant, you could accidentally cause some nasty disasters in the future.

What Happens When a Shower Pan Sealer Fails?

If a shower pan leaks, it can cause water damage that at best is an eyesore and at worst can rot out the walls and subflooring. Mold and mildew will often begin to grow in areas that remain damp, which can become a health hazard.

Unfortunately, water damage easily spreads unnoticed under tile or behind cabinets, which makes it especially important to waterproof shower pans well. Using 100% RTV silicone to seal the shower pan is one great step toward ensuring completely waterproof seals that will last for years.

Why Use Silicone Sealant?

Using the wrong type of sealant is a common, costly mistake when sealing shower pans. Not all sealants are created equal for flexibility, durability, and facing the unique challenges of bathroom fixtures. Silicone sealant is a great solution that can help reduce the risk of water damage and create a strong seal that is easy to clean and will last for years.

Preventing Mold and Mildew in Shower Pan Sealant

Mold and mildew can grow anywhere there's consistent moisture and a surface for them to grow on. The black, speckled stains of mold invading the seals of a shower look unattractive and sometimes cannot be cleaned away.

The first step is prevention. In this case, you'll want to choose a silicone shower pan sealer that's formulated for mold and mildew resistance. This product will maintain a strong, clean-looking, watertight seal that protects the health and safety of everyone who uses the shower.

But even the most mold-resistant silicone isn't mold-proof. To prevent mold and mildew attacking the seals over time, they need to be allowed to dry out completely between showers.

Advise your clients not to store bottles, toys, rags, and other items right against the sealant. Instead, encourage them to leave a gap that allows air to flow to the seals when the water is off. Opening a window or the door, running the vent fan, and leaving the shower open all will help the seals dry out after getting wet, keeping mildew at bay.

How to Apply Shower Pan Sealant

As long as you carefully clean and prep the surface, applying silicone is fairly easy. Surfaces must be completely dry for silicone sealant to bond properly, so make sure there’s no moisture left on the surface you’re sealing before you get started. A hairdryer may be able to help dry surfaces quicker.

To seal a shower pan, you'll need silicone sealant, a caulk gun and caulking tools, and a whole bunch of paper towels. You may also want a trash container to keep things tidy and tape to ensure a precise line on either side of the seal.

To apply sealant, squeeze the trigger firmly and with even pressure to lay a smooth bead of silicone along a seam. Use the spatula or your finger to smooth the seal, and wipe the excess on a paper towel.

After the initial cure time of fifteen minutes, the sealant may appear dry to the touch. However, most silicone sealants take longer to cure, so it’s best to avoid using the shower or disturbing the seal for 24 hours after application.

Beat the Leaks with Silicone Shower Pan Sealer

A well-sealed shower pan can serve a space for many years while looking great, and silicone shower pan sealant is up to the task! We'd love to help you find the right silicone for your next job. Call us today at 812-824-8000.