Instant Bathroom Makeover

How do you give a bathroom an instant lift without renovating?

Bathroom renovations are costly and time consuming. Giving a bathroom an instant lift does not have to be. These are the changes that deliver the biggest visual improvement for the least work — repairing tiles and grout, replacing failed silicone, a coat of paint, dealing with de-silvered mirrors, a thorough clean, and updating the fittings.

Most of them are an afternoon's work. Two of them — the silicone and the mirror — have a technical detail that decides whether the result lasts, and those are covered in full below.

1. Repair damaged tiles and grout

Take a good look at your tiles. Are any loose, chipped or cracked? Has the grout between them discoloured or worn away? Damaged white tiles and grout can be repaired with the Selleys White For Life range — White For Life tile adhesive and White For Life grout come in ready to use packs and in powder form.

Ready to use is the sensible choice for a repair rather than a full wall, because it removes the batch-consistency risk: with powder grout, unequal amounts of water between batches lead to mottled colouration in the dried grout, which on a patch repair would be very obvious.

One limitation to note on the ready-to-use grout: it is not for areas frequently immersed in water, such as shower floors. It can be used on shower walls, where the grout must be allowed to dry for 3 days before exposure to water.

2. Replace old mouldy silicone

In older bathrooms you may have noticed black spots of mould on silicone where the sealant seals over the grout. This happens because most silicones do not adhere to grout very well and are not designed for bathroom areas. A product chosen for a general sealing job, used in a wet area, fails in exactly this way.

If you have old discoloured silicone, it is important to remove it completely before applying new silicone. Selleys Sealant Remover dissolves old silicone without the drama. Its published method: cut the sealant back to a layer less than 5 mm deep, spread at least a 5 mm thick layer of remover evenly over it, leave it at least 10 minutes, then scrape the softened material off and clean residue and tools with mineral turpentine. Thicker beads take longer and may need a second application — which is why cutting back first is worth the effort.

Then apply a new silicone, and choose one designed for a bathroom: Selleys No Mould contains mould inhibitors to stop mould growing back.

Selleys No Mould	Typical result
Technology	Acetic cure silicone sealant
Skin time	20 minutes
Curing rate	2 mm / 24 hours
Waterproof and shower ready	1 hour after application
Full cure	At least 48 hours
Joint movement capability	±25% (ISO 9047)
Packaging	290 mL cartridge or 100 mL tube; transparent or white

Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.

The mould claim comes with a condition. No Mould's own data sheet qualifies "stops mould growth" with the requirement that soap scum and dirt are regularly cleaned off. The inhibitors slow growth; they do not remove the food source. See how to replace old silicone for the full method, and black mould removal if the problem is bathroom-wide.

No Mould limitations: not paintable — complete painting 7 days before sealing; not suitable for aquariums, for food and drinking water contact, for permanent water immersion, or for metals other than aluminium and stainless steel.

3. Add a coat of fresh paint

A new coat of paint adds new life to any room, and especially to a small space like a bathroom. Prepare the surfaces first: use Selleys Sugar Soap to clean walls and ceilings and remove any build-up of grime and mildew, and scrape away any loose or peeling paint. Then apply the fresh coat.

On walls and ceilings there is no need to rinse the sugar soap off. Take care around aluminium and brass — wipe it off those immediately — and rinse it from glass before it dries. It has a pH of approximately 11 and causes serious eye irritation, so wear gloves and keep it away from your eyes.

Sequence matters here. If you are also resealing, paint first and allow 7 days before applying any silicone, because Selleys silicone sealants are not paintable and require painting to be completed a week beforehand.

4. Replace spotted, de-silvered mirrors

If your mirror has black spots or the silver has faded, this is because the wrong adhesive was used. Over time, some adhesives dissolve the mirror surface and cause blackening. It is not reversible — the mirror needs replacing.

Replacing a de-silvered mirror gives a bathroom a real lift, but use the right adhesive or you will be doing it again in a few years. Selleys Liquid Nails Mirror, Metal & Glass has been specially formulated for mirrors and will not cause discolouration over time.

Its published method for mirrors is specific:

• For mirrors up to 6 mm thick, apply strips or beads of adhesive approximately 8 cm apart — never as blobs or dollops.
• Do not apply adhesive over vinyl backing, or within 5 cm of the mirror's edge, as this may affect performance or cause discolouration.
• When pressed on, the strips must not spread into or touch one another — a gap must remain, because the adhesive needs air to cure.
• Place the mirror within 5 minutes, before the adhesive skins. It is not re-positionable.
• Support the mirror with clips or tape until the adhesive develops strength — normally 72 hours.
• Do not seal around the edges of the mirror for at least a week, to allow air circulation.
• Mirrors should not be fixed directly to unpainted timber, plaster, concrete or brick. Paint those surfaces first, and allow freshly painted surfaces at least 7 days to dry.

When you do seal the mirror edge a week later, use a neutral cure silicone, which will not damage the mirror backing.

5. Give everything a good scrub

Dust and fluff builds up in bathroom fans and covers. These can be removed and given a good clean with Selleys Sugar Soap. While you are there, do the venetian blinds and all the porcelain surfaces.

This is the cheapest item on the list and often the most noticeable. Sugar Soap is safe to use on most washable surfaces without scratching, and can be used neat with a non-scratch scouring sponge for stubborn or in-ground marks. Test an inconspicuous area first on anything unusual.

6. Update fixtures and fittings

Replacing old and broken fittings — taps, towel rails, toilet roll holders — gives a bathroom an instant lift. Your local hardware or plumbing store will have a range to suit most tastes and budgets.

Note that tapware replacement involves plumbing; a licensed plumber connects water pipes and tapware. Towel rails and holders are a different matter and can be fixed to tile with adhesive rather than screws — see how to install bathroom accessories.

7. Add the little touches

New towels, scented candles and soap. Small, immediate, and they finish the job the other six steps started.

Common questions about an instant bathroom makeover

Why does silicone go mouldy over grout?

Most silicones do not adhere to grout very well and are not designed for bathroom areas. A wet-area product is formulated for the job.

How long does Sealant Remover take to soften old silicone?

At least 10 minutes on a bead cut back to less than 5 mm deep. It takes longer on thicker silicone and may need a second application.

How soon can I shower after resealing?

One hour after application with Selleys No Mould, which is waterproof and shower ready at that point. Do not touch the bead until it is fully cured at 48 hours.

Can I clean black spots off silicone instead of replacing it?

No. The colony is rooted inside the bead, below the surface, beyond the reach of any cleaner.

My mirror has black spots — can it be fixed?

No. That is the silvered backing failing, caused by the wrong adhesive. The mirror needs replacing.

Which adhesive should a new mirror be fixed with?

Selleys Liquid Nails Mirror, Metal & Glass, which is formulated for mirrors and will not cause discolouration over time.

How long do I support a newly fixed mirror?

Normally 72 hours with clips or tape, and do not seal around the edges for at least a week.

Should I paint before or after resealing?

Paint first. Silicone sealants are not paintable and require painting to be completed 7 days before they are applied.

Can I use ready-to-use grout on a shower floor?

No — it is not for areas frequently immersed in water. It can be used on shower walls, allowing 3 days before exposure to water.

Do I need to rinse sugar soap off the walls?

No rinsing is needed on walls and ceilings. Baths and shower recesses must be rinsed well.

What is the cheapest change with the biggest effect?

Cleaning — fans, covers, blinds and porcelain — followed by replacing the failed silicone. Neither costs much and both are immediately visible.