How to scrub the silicone sealant off the tile?

Very often, during construction or renovation work, a silicone sealant is used. It is applied in a liquid state on the surface, but tends to harden quickly. In this regard, the problem arises of scrubbing the hardened sealant from different surfaces.

Of course, it is best to remove excess of this substance immediately after application. But if this moment is missed, then you should not despair. The hardened silicone sealant can also be removed, washed and scrubbed, even if you have to do this in the bathroom or kitchen where the tiles were laid, and there is a threat of damage to the surface during cleaning.

With the help of this substance, you can perfectly fill the space between the wall and the tile., all kinds of joints and seams. Such a composition perfectly seals the space between the tiles, as well as the surface to which it is attached, thereby preventing the ingress of dust, liquid and dirt. That, in turn, does not allow the development of various types of fungus and mold in the room.

But over time, traces of the selected sealant become dirty, giving the room a sloppy look. Then it becomes necessary to wash off the remnants of the old substance.

In fact, dried sealant is quite difficult to remove, since it adheres very tightly. But there are still several options for solving this problem.

There are three ways to clean the surface of the sealant:

• Mechanical. You will need special tools: a knife, a construction spatula, a sharp razor, soda or salt in burlap, a kitchen wire mesh.
• Chemical. Special chemical active substances are used that dissolve and destroy the sealant. Here you need to use personal protective equipment and be sure to follow safety precautions. These drugs include White Spirit or gasoline, solvent, Penta-840, Dow Corning OS-2.
• Combined. It is more effective, because the two above methods are applied at once. Using this method, you can remove the composition as quickly as possible.

You need to start with mechanical processing. Use a utility knife or a comfortable razor to remove the thick layer of sealant. Then apply the solvent for a few hours. When the silicone turns into a gelatinous substance, it is more convenient to remove it.

To do this, you need to pry the edge with a knife and remove it with a solid tape. If a piece of tape breaks, you must start at a new edge.

Next, rinse the surface with water and wipe with a dry cloth, removing small silicone residues. If it is deeply embedded in the surface of the tile, then you do not need to scrape it diligently, so as not to make it worse, irrevocably damaging the surface. You need to act gradually and carefully. It is not at all difficult to remove or erase the composition from the tile.

When using a chemical composition, which should be applied for 30 minutes with a cotton swab or ear stick, matte marks from the drug may remain on the tiles. They are removed with a degreasing agent. After that, the surface is washed with water.

All drugs come in three forms: aerosol, paste and liquid. Aerosols should be shaken before starting work and sprayed liberally onto the sealant. It is convenient to apply the paste with a spatula, completely covering the areas that need cleaning. The liquid should be moistened with a napkin or sponge and treated with the sealant.

Dow Corning OS-2 is a fairly mild substance that will hardly damage the tile surface, but it is non-toxic. Under its influence, the sealant becomes soft and can be removed without problems.

Penta-840 has a similar effect, but with longer use it can destroy the silicone and damage the tile surface. This must be taken into account when using. In addition, Penta-840 does an excellent job of cleaning the old sealant layer.

Special precautions must be taken when using a solvent. It is a flammable and toxic preparation, the vapors of which have a narcotic effect. Therefore, it can only be used in a well-ventilated area and observing personal protective equipment.

Specialty drugs can be purchased at any hardware store.

They all fall into two groups:

• Two-component, which are mainly used in manufacturing or construction;
• One-component - they are designed to remove silicone sealant in small areas and come in several varieties.

70% acetic acid is used to dissolve the acidic type of silicone. Alcohol types of sealant are perfectly removed by means of the same composition: medical or technical. Neutral based sealants can be treated with acetone, gasoline or White Spirit.

Of course, all these specialized chemical products are not cheap pleasure. Therefore, there are simpler and more affordable ways to clean the silicone sealant. For example, common acetone. It should be applied to the areas to be removed, and a strip of cloth soaked in acetone should be placed on top for about 1 hour. The silicone will turn into jelly, which is desirable to remove in large pieces or all at once.

Vinegar can be used similarly. Small residues of sealant that may remain on the tile surface after cleaning can be removed with a kitchen wire mesh, burlap. Baking soda placed in a canvas bag or regular salt dipped in water on a damp cloth will do just fine. These gentle products are suitable for delicate coatings that may suffer from more aggressive preparations.

It so happens that the treated sealant is not removed in a whole strip. This is most often due to the incorrectly selected cleaning agent or the poor quality of the sealant itself. If this happens, then the silicone layer should be processed several times until it begins to curl and flake off.

If you know on what basis the sealant, then it is more logical to use an appropriate tool to remove it. Otherwise, you will have to select and experiment with the drug at random. To avoid this, it is better to make a note in advance about the sealant used in this room.

The tile may have a porous surface. It will be much more difficult to clean it due to the uneven base. The task can be further complicated by the fact that the material is not covered with enamel, since in this case the silicone is much stronger and deeper adhered to the surface of the tile. To clean the porous surface of the ceramic, the process will have to be divided into several stages and repetitions: in turn, apply the solvent on the bumps and depressions, carefully remove the softened layer and reapply the liquid. The procedure must be carried out until the sealant is completely removed.

There are some precautions to take when working with silicone sealant.

It is imperative to use rubber gloves to protect the skin of your hands from contact with the substance. The room in which renovation work is being carried out must be regularly and well ventilated.

Before applying the substance to the joints, you can cover the untreated surface with masking tape. As a result, not only will the tile surface remain clean, but the contours between them will be even.

Be extremely careful when using an aerosol cleaner. The product is sprayed around the circumference, and care must be taken not to come into contact with the skin or the clean surface of the tile, which could damage: the liquid can negatively affect the paint and enamel. Some types of surfaces may bubble or even crack. To avoid this, cover the area of ​​the tile that will not be processed.

Before carrying out work on the application or removal of silicone sealant, you need to decide on the cleaning method: a mechanical method will be used or you need to resort to chemicals.

In any case, you will need the following tools:

• rubber gloves;
• respirator;
• fan;
• putty knife;
• office knife, razor blade;
• masking tape;
• brush;
• cleanser and instructions for it.

All of the above methods are used to remove old putty. Which method and drug to use at the same time, everyone decides for himself.

How to remove dried sealant, see the video.