Is moisture-curing silicone really okay for sealing deep holes?

[marp68]

Reading an article about silicone on Verkstäderna's website. https://www.verkstaderna.se/article/view/401216/ar_silikon_ett_lim

They mention, among other things, that "1-component silicone adhesive cures due to moisture...." and that "Moisture-curing silicone adhesive does not cure to much greater depth than about 10 mm."

I filled old holes in the bathroom walls with 1-component wet room silicone (acetic acid based). The holes are more than 1 cm, and some probably went through the waterproofing. Based on what is written in the article, I wonder if the silicone has really cured all the way in and seals well inside.

What do you think?

 

[Jonatan79]

Reading an article about silicone on the Verkstäderna website. [link]

They mention, among other things, that "1-component silicone adhesive cures due to moisture..." and that "Moisture-curing silicone adhesive does not cure much deeper than about 10 mm."

I filled old holes in the bathroom walls with 1-component wet room silicone (acetic-based). The holes are more than 1 cm, and some probably went through the waterproofing. Based on what's written in the article, I wonder if the silicone has indeed cured deep inside and seals well there.

What do you think?

Probably. Where are the holes located and how large are they?

 

[marp68]

Probably. Where are the holes located and how large are they?

Removed the bathtub and changed the layout a bit since the floor drain was on the left and the mixer on the right. Now there are holes from the mixer and shower rod that are now about 1.5 m from the new spot, which might get a bit of splash. Two other holes are from a shelf, on a wall where the mixer and overhead shower are now located. These holes do get a bit more continuous water splashing on them.

On the surface and probably about 1 cm into the holes, it's dry and tight. But my concern is that moisture might run behind the tiles at the waterproof membrane and could get through where the silicone might not seal the holes properly.

I am now going to install a towel rack on the other wall and reinforce and seal with silicone when I plug. Should I perhaps use some other type of silicone?

 

[Jonatan79]

Removed the bathtub and changed the layout a bit since the floor drain was on the left and the mixer on the right. Now there's a hole after the mixer and shower rod, which is now about 1.5 m from the new spot, which can get a little splash on it. Two other holes are from a shelf, on a wall where the mixer and rain shower are now. On these holes, a bit more water splashes continuously.

Superficially and likely about 1 cm deep into the holes, it's dry and sealed. But my thought is that the moisture that can run behind the tiles at the waterproofing layer might get through where the silicone might not seal the holes properly.

I'm now going to mount a towel holder on the other wall and reinforce and seal with silicone when I plug it. Should I maybe use a different type of silicone?

I think the moisture available behind the tiles is mostly in the adhesive. It doesn't run on the waterproofing layer since there's adhesive there. Minimal risk and the little moisture there dries out anyway.

 

[marp68]

I believe that the moisture available behind the tiles is mostly in the adhesive. It doesn't run on the waterproofing layer after there's adhesive there. Minimal risk and the little moisture that is there will still dry out.

Then the question is whether it's good to have silicone that hasn't dried. If it's wet, it means there's moisture in it that can mold. Or am I thinking wrong?

 

[Jonatan79]

Then the question is whether it's good to have silicone that hasn't dried. If it's wet, it means there's moisture in it that can mold. Or am I thinking wrong?

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[hapazard]

Then the question is whether it's good with silicone that hasn't dried. If it's wet, it means there's moisture in it that can mold. Or am I thinking wrong?

You're thinking wrong. 1-comp silicone contains no water, but cures with the help of water. However, normal humidity is enough, which also exists on the "backside" of the waterproofing layer, so the silicone will cure in the drill holes.

That it doesn't cure more than about one cm applies to deep joints, etc., where the cured silicone prevents moisture from migrating towards the center, similar to how a plug forms in the tube's nozzle over time, but the rest of the tube remains fresh.

 

[Claes Sörmland]

Then the question is whether it's good to use silicone that hasn't dried. If it's wet, it means there's moisture in it that could mold. Or am I thinking wrong?

There is enough moisture in the walls you have drilled holes into. The silicone cures completely in a few days.

 

[marp68]

Thank you for all the feedback. Good to know.