The process of repairing the bathroom does not end with laying beautiful ceramic tiles and buying new plumbing. There are many small nuances that also need to be considered. One of them is a small wall gap between the wall and the side of the bath.
We will tell you how to seal and camouflage a gap that is dangerous for leakage, and also does not please aesthetics. From our article you will learn how to close the joint between the bathroom and the wall. To get ahead of the most suitable option for you, we give several methods.
The causes of the gap at the wall
No matter how you try to install the bath, there’s still a small gap between its side and the tile or concrete wall. The minimum gap is 0.1 cm, but in some cases it reaches 2-3 cm in width.
We do not take into account the distance to the wall of 10 cm or more, which remains on the narrow side of the bathtub - it can only be repaired using a structure made of profile and drywall or other improvised materials.
There are several reasons for the appearance of the gap, and almost all of them come down to the imperfection of the geometry of the room.
Even a small gap can cause big trouble for the family of the apartment owners and for the neighbors from the lower floor
Among the most common shortcomings are the following:
- uneven screed on the floor, causing the bath to skew - part of the problem can be solved by leveling the floor or tightening the bath mounting bolts;
- “Wavy” walls formed by a layer of illiterate stucco;
- non-standard-sized angles are sharper or blunter than 90 degrees;
- defects in the sanitary ware - not a perfectly flat side.
The latter problem is extremely rare, mainly in economy class bathtubs. Sometimes it’s easier to seal a non-aesthetic joint between a steel or acrylic bathtub and a wall than to change the product or plaster several walls again.
You cannot leave even a slight gap. While bathing or taking a shower, the liquid will certainly fall onto the wall, and then not into the bath, as usual, but directly onto the floor. And the water on the floor will certainly lead to a conflict with the neighbors from the apartment below, regardless of the quality and reliability of the waterproofing made in the bathroom.
Through a narrow slot, drops of water slide down under the bathtub, where they accumulate and begin to destroy building materials, provoke the appearance of mold and fungus
You can get rid of trouble in different ways: with your own hands or with the help of professional finishers. Since special skills are not needed to close the lumen, many do it on their own.
An overview of the methods for sealing the joint at the bath
Various materials are used to mask the gap. Some of them are applied using a gun with a sealing compound, others are simply glued.
Consider the popular methods that you can take note of and implement on your own.
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If the gap is almost not visible, you can do without relief products such as borders. It is enough to apply a narrow strip of sealant along the wall. But such protection will last no more than 2-3 years, after which it will require replacement
If there is little cement-based mortar or tile adhesive left after wall cladding, they can also be used to close the gap. However, this method requires additional decorative finishes.
If the distance to the wall is more than 1-2 cm, it is better to use mounting foam for internal work, but you need to choose a moisture-resistant composition. Foam is applied around the perimeter adjacent to the wall, the excess is cut off, and a border or plastic corner is glued on top
It also happens that the gap is practically not visible, since the tile “later stuck” on the side of the bathroom. To prevent water from dropping beneath it, it is necessary to walk along the cladding with tiled grout - it will clog the slightest clearance
Ceramic borders are becoming less and less present in tile collections. However, you can find a universal version of the white color, and if you are lucky, then the products are in the tone of the cladding. It is important to choose the right sealant or glue that will not turn yellow soon
This is one of the most popular options, as it is inexpensive, quickly mounted and does not require special skills. But you need to understand that plastic tends to change color, and the material for bonding will lose its properties in 2-3 years
Self-adhesive manufacturers are counting on several years of flawless operation of flexible polymer tape. In practice, it happens differently - it has to be additionally glued, since it lags behind the wall and the side of the bathtub due to constant exposure to water
An interesting substitute for a thin plastic corner is an ordinary floor plinth, also made of plastic. But it is much tougher and stronger than its counterpart, also wider and can cover a well-defined gap
Narrow Clearance Silicone Sealant
Cement mortar as a base
Foam for sealing a wide gap
Tile grout for minimal masking
Ceramic tile border
Plastic corner on sealant
Self-adhesive border tape
Floor skirting as an alternative
The choice of a particular material depends on the width of the gap, the characteristics of the interior and wall decoration. If the gap is very narrow, borders and corners will be superfluous.
A wide gap, in contrast, requires the use of additional elements. Here, the best option is to combine two materials, for example, mounting foam and a border or sealant and plastic edging.
Consider the simplest ways to mask the joint between the bathroom and the adjoining wall, more precisely - the walls. It is problematic to adjust the sanitary instrument to the dimensions of the room, so you have to grind it from two or three sides. At the same time, a large indent from the third side is most often covered with a kind of “shelf”, decorated under the lining.
How to seal a gap with silicone sealant
Using sealant is an inexpensive and easy way. The only condition for its use is the size of the gap, which should not exceed 3 mm. A thick product placed in a tube can have various shades, but the same color is best for masking a white bath. Transparent taking is not recommended.
In construction stores you can find a huge number of quality sealants. You will need a sanitary, specially designed for decorating a bathroom or toilet. Among the characteristics of the product must necessarily be moisture resistance and antibacterial.
To hide the gap, one package is enough, so you can not save, but choose high-quality branded products. We offer four examples, the positive characteristics of which were noted by professional builders.
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A well-selected composition of the product includes antifungal protection. The paste is elastic, resilient, perfectly combines with enameled, acrylic and ceramic surfaces, masking small irregularities
Among the varieties of the Moment, it is necessary to choose a silicone version of the sanitary or universal type. The product, which includes acrylic, adheres well to various surfaces and is suitable for masking wide gaps.
For indoor work in a room with a high level of humidity, a waterproof composition from the Alex Plus series is suitable. It has bactericidal and fungicidal protection, it adheres well even with materials such as glass or enamel.
Belgian products are suitable for various finishing conditions. The joints in the bathroom should be masked with a variety that includes silicone and acrylic. Antifungal supplements are also a plus, as well as resistance to temperature extremes
Ceresit CS 25 - universal silicone grout
Herment moment for problem joints
DAP - Powerful Latex Sealant
Soudal Acrylic Based
In addition to the listed brands, in the market you can find other proven sealants: KRASS, S 400, Dow Corning, CIKI FIX. Properly selected material is a 50% successful sealing of a wall joint.
Sealant Application Instructions:
- Thoroughly clean the working surfaces: wipe the side of the bath, which is near the wall, and the wall itself first with water and then an alcohol-based degreaser and dry.
- Place the tube in the gun, cut off the tip of the “nose” with a construction knife or scissors. The diameter of the hole should be slightly larger than the gap that must be masked.
- Starting from the edge, slowly squeeze the sealant so that it lies straight and completely covers the gap.
- Carefully smooth the resulting roller with a special spatula or finger so that its edges merge with the working surfaces. Moisten a finger with soapy water - so the sealant does not stick to it.
- Wait for drying, and then remove the remains. They resemble a rubbery elastic substance, easily scraped and removed.
Silicone sealants are often used instead of glue when sealing joints in the bathroom. It is on them that it is recommended to stick plastic and ceramic borders.
Recommendations on the choice of sealants for use in bathrooms and bathrooms are given in the article, the contents of which we advise you to read.
Instructions for gluing a plastic corner
Corners (borders, plinths) made of PVC are inexpensive, lightweight, easy to use products that lend themselves well to processing and, when properly installed, harmonize with the bathroom. There are also color options, but a white border is considered more appropriate - in the color of plumbing.
Before buying a skirting board, you need to measure the length of the sides of the bath, along which it is necessary to mask the gap. It will take a small margin, as you have to cut corners.
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Alcohol compounds and solvents, such as white spirit, are suitable for processing. Wipe the tiles and the surface of the bath thoroughly
To glue the corner, we will use Ceresit silicone sealant in white, so that it is invisible against the background of the bathtub and baseboard
Cut a piece of the corner along the length of the wall. On the one hand, it has an additional recess - it must be placed on the bath, and the smooth side on the wall
The skirting board needs to be cut taking into account the fact that on one side a plug will be installed on it, on the other - a corner. These items are purchased separately.
Slowly and evenly apply silicone sealant to the back of the skirting board, you can use a thick layer or even several layers
Having processed the baseboard, we apply sealant to the working surface. We try to ensure that the tool fills the gap to the maximum
We put the product in place and press it tightly. For the abutment to occur along the entire length, gently iron both sides with your hand
Excess sealant will protrude on both sides, so they must be removed with a damp cloth. If the baseboard does not respond to the solvent, then you can use it
Step 1 - degreasing the tiles and the edges of the bath
Step 2 - preparing sealant
Step 3 - preparing the baseboard
Step 4 - Exact Fit
Step 5 - applying sealant to the skirting board
Step 6 - filling the joint sealant
Step 8 - Removing Excess Sealant
We put on a cap at the very end, after drying. For a better grip of the corner, it is pressed with something heavy, for example, a piece of tile. After about 3-4 hours, the bathroom can be used, but it is better to wait about a day.
Work that is carried out using sealant is good because any mistake can be corrected during gluing.
Ceramic border installation
Ceramics definitely outperform plastic, so those who love reliability and durability still prefer it. A smooth glossy border does not change shape and color over time, easily withstands mechanical stress, does not respond to alkalis and acids that are part of detergents.
If you use high-quality adhesives and grouts when installing the ceramic border, the aesthetic side of the installation will not suffer at all - everything will look harmonious and neat
Preparation for work is to purchase the necessary number of products: several horizontal elements and two corners. You also need to purchase a reliable silicone sealant and a tool for degreasing the surface.
Operating procedure:
- We process the edge of the bathroom and part of the wall along the entire length with a solvent, and dry it.
- We fill the gap with sealant, try not to make passes.
- We glue the ceramic corner into the corner, which immediately catches your eye at the entrance.
- Alternately glue the curb elements, trying to create an even line.
- At the edges and around the second corner, you may need to trim ceramic parts. To do this, we use a grinder, and we clean the edges with sandpaper.
- At the end of the installation of all parts, we overwrite the seams. You can use grout for tiles and sealant.
Upon completion of gluing the curb onto the bathtub, remove the remaining grouting material with a damp sponge and wait for it to dry completely. If the grout or sealant turns yellow over time, then you can dismantle all the parts, clean them and the wall, and then repeat the gluing procedure.
How to make an abutment tight?
Experienced builders recommend using curbs and other materials for sealing joints in a pinch. They offer a modern alternative that will save you from regular repairs - gluing tiles after installing a steel bath, as well as installing and connecting cast-iron or acrylic plumbing to home communications.
If you close the bathtub close to the wall, and then glue the tile by placing the bottom row on the side, you won’t have to close any gap
This method is often used when the bathroom is faced with expensive collection tiles, next to which the plastic corners look inappropriate. The only difficulty is choosing the right size for the ceramic parts. It is necessary to determine in advance the height of the bath and calculate everything so that the tiles do not have to be cut.
The minimum clearance on the border with the bath bowl is easily masked by a grout that dries and does not wash out with water. But for insurance before laying tiles, you can walk around the perimeter of the tank with sealant to be sure of the reliability of insulation to the end. The border tape or plastic corner may come off, but there is no such danger.
You can use any of the listed methods, and several informative videos with a detailed description of actions will help you with this.
Video # 1. How to apply silicone sealant:
Video # 2. An interesting idea using floor skirting:
Video # 3. Tips for gluing a plastic corner:
Video # 4. The curious consequences of installing a border tape:
The technology for masking the joint between the bathroom and the wall is simple, so all the actions for closing the gap can be performed independently. But do not forget that quality material is half the success.
If you doubt your own strengths or the choice of building material, seek help from finishers. Consultants in building markets can also explain a lot.
Tell us about how you sealed the joint between the wall and the bathroom, how did you close the not-so-attractive seam? It is possible that your tips will be useful to site visitors. Please write comments, ask questions and post photos in the block below.