Shower leaked despite new sealant?

Question

I fitted a new shower enclosure. But flexible / waterprrof sealant from Wickes, also their sealant strips to finish the job. Anyway, after two showers, when it was recommmended by Wickes to leave the sealant for at least 24 hours (I left 48) to dry, it is leaking again. The sealant strips did'nt grab at all, despite having a light adhesive. This is the first time I have done a shower so I am not blaming wickes, although when I bought sealant strips from Homebase before they seems much better quality. Did I buy the wrong sealant....? I believe it needs to be waterproof which the white tube with blue cap said it was...but I am not sure it was silicone based, also I read somewhere it should have a vinegar type smell, which it did'nt. Is it maybe a bad batch? What woudl you guys recommend I buy?

Answer 1

In order for the sealant to grip, you should wipe down the tile and bath / shower tray with white spirit to remove any grease.  The tiniest amount of soap scum, dust, dirt, fingerprint grease and these things just un-stick.

You'll need to remove the sealant with special remover liquid (it really really smells), as applying new sealant on top doesn't work. Wipe the area down with white spirit then start again.  

Answer 2

I take it you have checked the pipework (inlet and waste) isn't leaking I joke not.I am under the impression you have a fibre glass tray,what these DIY stores don't tell you, is you need to put weight on the tray equivalent to average weight and then seal around tray leaving weight in place.When you seal round fibre glass baths you have to fill them with water first and leave it in until sealent is dry 24hours