Resealing looks simple, so it attracts a wide range of people, from specialists to general handymen. The difference shows months later, when a poor bead lifts, goes mouldy or leaks. Asking a few questions before you book tells you a lot. Here are ten, with what good answers sound like.
Questions about the work
1. Will you remove all of the old sealant?
The answer should be a clear yes. New silicone won’t bond to old silicone. Anyone who plans to seal over the top is setting up a failure. See why sealing over old silicone fails.
2. How do you deal with mould?
A good answer covers cutting out mouldy sealant, treating the joint and letting it dry before resealing.
3. Will you fill the bath before sealing it?
For baths, the answer should be yes. Sealing with the bath loaded means the bead isn’t stretched when the bath is used.
Questions about products
4. Which sealant will you use, and why?
Expect a specific answer suited to the job: anti-fungal sanitary silicone for bathrooms and kitchens, a suitable exterior sealant for windows, and the right product for stone or movement joints. We use Arbo and Everbuild products, and we are an ARBOMaster approved applicator.
5. How long before we can use it?
A good installer tells you the cure time for the product used. For most bathroom silicone, it is usually around 24 hours.
Questions about the business
6. Are you insured?
The answer should be yes, and they should be happy to confirm it. We are fully insured.
7. Is the work guaranteed, and for how long?
Ask what the guarantee covers and how to make a claim. Every job we do comes with a one-year guarantee.
8. Can I see reviews or examples of your work?
Independent reviews, such as on Google, are more useful than a handful of quotes on a website.
Need it done properly? Mr Mastic covers the South East, London and Scotland, with a one-year guarantee on every job. Call or email for a quick quote.
Questions about price and scope
9. Is the price fixed, and what does it include?
A clear quote says what is being sealed, whether old sealant removal and mould treatment are included, and what isn’t. We give a fixed price before we start. Our guide to what a mastic man costs explains what affects price.
10. What will you do if you find something else?
Sometimes removing old sealant shows water damage, a loose tray or a plumbing leak. A good installer stops and tells you, rather than sealing over it.
Extra questions for commercial sites
- Fire-rated work: will you install to our fire risk assessor’s or designer’s specification and the manufacturer’s tested details? Good installers don’t claim to certify buildings.
- Asbestos: will you ask for our asbestos register before removing old mastic in an older building?
- Scheduling: can work be planned room by room, and out of hours where needed?
Our commercial sealant page explains how we plan work on larger sites.
Warning signs
- A plan to seal over the existing sealant
- No mention of removing mould or drying the joint
- Vague answers about which products will be used
- No guarantee, or reluctance to say what it covers
- Promises that sound too good, such as sealant that will never go mouldy
Any of these is a reason to ask more questions before you book.
Quick answers
What does a good reseal look like?
A single, even bead with clean edges, no smears on the tiles, no gaps at corners and no old sealant showing underneath.
Is the cheapest quote the best value?
Not always. A reseal that fails in months has to be done again. Check what each quote includes.
What is ARBOMaster?
ARBOMaster is Adshead Ratcliffe’s approved applicator scheme for its Arbo sealant brand.
Related services
More advice
- How Much Does a Mastic Man Cost? UK Guide
- Can You Put New Silicone Over Old Silicone?
- What Is Fire-Rated Sealant? A Plain Guide
- All advice
This guide is general information about sealant work. It isn’t legal, fire-safety or structural advice; for those, speak to a qualified professional.