Bath seal replacement in Exeter
Professional bath seal replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bath seals stripped out and replaced properly with anti-mould silicone. I remove all the old sealant, clean the surfaces, and apply a fresh waterproof bead that'll last for years.
Why Your Bath Seal Matters
That line of silicone around your bath isn't just decoration - it's the only thing stopping water getting behind your bath and under your floor. Mouldy, cracked, or lifted sealant means water damage you can't see until you've got a rotten floor or a ceiling stain in the room below.
💡 Pro tip: Always fill the bath with water before sealing. The weight makes the bath drop slightly, so if you seal it empty, the seal stretches and cracks as soon as you have a bath. Most DIY fails happen because people don't know this.
Good Sealant vs Bad Sealant
The difference is obvious if you know what to look for:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Neat smooth bead, consistent width | Wavy, blobs, finger marks everywhere |
| All old sealant removed first | New layered over old (fails fast) |
| Bath was filled when sealed | Done empty (cracks when filled) |
| Clean edges, no silicone smears | Silicone on tiles, in grout, everywhere |
| Using proper anti-mould bathroom silicone | Cheap clear stuff from the pound shop |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Strip | All old sealant removed completely, no residue |
| Clean | Surfaces degreased with meths, totally dry |
| Fill | Bath filled with water to weight it down |
| Seal | Clean bead applied, tooled smooth, edges wiped |
📦 You're Left With
- Fresh waterproof seal all around bath
- Anti-mould silicone that stays clean longer
- No mess on tiles or in grout lines
- 24-hour cure time before full use
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bath seal only (standard bath) | 1 hr | £60 |
| Bath + shower tray seals | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Full bathroom reseal (bath, basin, shower) | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Includes anti-mould silicone.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Mouldy sealant - gone black and won't clean up
✅ Cracked or lifted - seal's coming away from bath or tiles
✅ After re-tiling - old seal doesn't match new grout lines
✅ Preventive maintenance - seal's getting old but not failed yet
Why Choose Us for Bath seal replacement in Exeter?
All old sealant stripped out properly
Bath filled before sealing (prevents gaps)
Clean professional bead with no mess
Anti-mould silicone that lasts
What to Expect
Step 1: Strip Out Old Seal
I cut through the old sealant and peel it all out - every bit. Stanley knife, scraper, whatever it takes. Can't seal properly over old silicone, so it all has to go.
Step 2: Clean & Prep
Surfaces get cleaned with methylated spirits to remove any soap residue or grease. Everything needs to be bone dry before new sealant goes on, or it won't stick.
Step 3: Fill Bath
This is the critical bit - I fill your bath with water so it drops under the weight. If I seal it empty and you fill it later, the seal stretches and cracks. Simple physics, often missed.
Step 4: Apply New Seal
Clean bead of anti-mould silicone goes on, gets tooled smooth with a proper tool (not a finger), and edges wiped clean. Leave for 24 hours to cure fully.
🔧 DIY Tips
Resealing a bath is doable DIY, but there are tricks to getting it right:
🔧 Tools and materials you'll need
- Stanley knife and scraper (to remove old sealant)
- Methylated spirits and cloth (to clean surfaces)
- Proper bathroom silicone (anti-mould, not decorators' caulk)
- Sealant gun (not the squeeze-tube type)
- Silicone smoothing tool or old teaspoon
- Masking tape (for neat edges)
- Kitchen paper
💧 The process
- Remove ALL old sealant - every trace. Use Stanley knife carefully
- Clean with meths - removes soap scum and grease
- Let it dry completely - dampness stops silicone sticking
- Fill the bath - this is critical, don't skip it
- Apply sealant - steady pressure on gun, smooth movement
- Tool it immediately - within a minute or two before it skins
- Leave for 24 hours - don't use bath until fully cured
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Sealing the bath empty (it'll crack when you fill it)
- Not removing all the old sealant first
- Using cheap silicone (goes mouldy fast)
- Too much sealant (think neat line, not a rope)
- Touching it before it's cured (leaves marks and breaks the seal)
💡 Pro trick: Run masking tape either side of where you want the seal (about 5mm apart), apply sealant, tool it smooth, then peel the tape off immediately. Gives you perfect edges with no mess.
Use a cartridge gun - those squeeze tubes are rubbish. You can't get consistent pressure, so the bead's uneven. Cartridge gun with a proper tube costs about £15 and makes the job 10x easier.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Just decorated? Reseal the bath as part of the job. Old gunky sealant ruins the look of a fresh bathroom. I can do it at the painting stage so everything's pristine together.
Anti-mould silicone isn't all the same - cheap stuff still goes mouldy. I use CT1, Dow Corning, or UniBond Anti-Mould. Costs a bit more but actually stays clean.
Shower tray same time? If you need the shower sealing too, I'll do both together. Already set up, already got the gun out, makes sense to do it all in one visit.
Older house with cast iron bath? No problem. The bath's heavier so it moves less, but I still fill it before sealing. And the enamel needs extra cleaning with meths because soap residue sticks to it more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my bath seal keep going mouldy?
Usually because it wasn't applied properly in the first place. Cheap sealant, bath not filled when sealed, or not enough ventilation in the bathroom. I use proper anti-mould bathroom silicone and fill the bath first so the seal doesn't stretch and crack when you use it.
Can you just seal over the old sealant?
No - that's a bodge that fails fast. I strip all the old stuff out completely, clean the surfaces properly, then apply fresh sealant. New silicone doesn't stick to old silicone, so layering it just traps water and creates more mould.
Do I need to stay out of the bathroom while it dries?
The sealant skins over in about an hour, but I'd leave it 24 hours before using the bath properly. You can use the sink and toilet fine - just don't splash water on the new seal while it's curing.
How long will the new seal last?
Depends on your bathroom ventilation and how much you clean, but good quality anti-mould silicone should last 3-5 years minimum. Some of mine are still perfect after 10+ years in well-ventilated bathrooms.
My bath seal has gone black - is that dangerous?
It's mould growth, which isn't great for anyone with breathing issues, but the bigger problem is that mouldy sealant usually means water's getting behind the bath. That can rot floors and joists. Worth replacing before the problem gets expensive.
Bath seal replacement Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your bath seal replacement job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Bath seal replacement in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your bath seal replacement job in Exeter today.