How to Remove Silicone Sealant From Shower Tiles

Silicone sealants are waterproof and nontoxic, though very difficult to remove.

Silicone sealants are waterproof materials that are cured to bond joints in a variety of building materials. They are used in the home in many areas and are especially used in areas that get wet or regularly moist, such as plumbing fixtures and shower stalls. Unlike some caulks, silicone sealant and silicone caulks are highly durable and difficult to remove. Though with the proper scraping and treatment techniques, you should be able to remove a silicone sealant from shower tiles.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy-duty leather gloves
• Respiratory mask
• Sharp blade or scraper
• Cotton ball, swab or pad
• Oven cleaner
• Liquid dishwashing detergent

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Instructions

1. Put on a pair of heavy-duty work gloves and a protective respiratory mask. Though the sealant itself is not toxic or dangerous to your skin, you will be working with a blade and a harsh cleaning solvent and, therefore, need to protect yourself from accidental cuts and inhaling the cleaning solvent fumes.

2. Scrape the silicone sealant out of the space between the shower tiles. Try to scrape out as much as you can of the sealant using a small blade or scraper. Work slowly so that you don't accidentally cut yourself or the surrounding tiles.

3. Dip a cotton ball or cotton pad into an oven cleaner or strong alkaline-based cleaner and very carefully wipe it on the remaining sealant. Unlike nonsilicone caulk, which can be removed using acetone solvents, silicone sealants are very durable and difficult to remove. The alkaline-based cleaner should soften the sealant enough so that you can remove it.

4. Wait for the sealant to soften, which could take up to an hour.

5. Scrape away the rest of the sealant with a scraper.

6. Wash the area where you removed the sealant with warm water and a liquid dishwashing soap. Then rinse the area and allow it to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid getting any of the cleaner on the surrounding laminate, fiberglass or other shower facility materials, as it can stain and damage those materials. If the space between the tiles is very small, use a cotton swab instead of a ball or pad, so that you don't get the cleaning solvent on any part of the tile.

References

• Makroflex: Silicone Sealants
• Ask the Builder; Caulk Removal; Tim Carter