Steam Shower strong silicone smell a month after install

4 years ago

I had a steam shower built as part of a new construction with frameless glass installed with silicone (I do not know the brand but know it was 100% silicone) on two sides (1 side is the door) and 1x1 porcelain tiles on the other 2 walls, floor and sloped ceiling. the trim around all of the fixtures in the steam shower were sealed with silicone (Loctite 160809 Clear 595 Silicone sealant - this is what the Thermasol technical support person I spoke with recommended). It had ample time to cure (shower was not used for 2 weeks after silicone was applied). Over one month later, the shower still smells of silicone. I leave the door wide open to the steam shower and can smell it upon entering the bathroom. I ran the steam shower a few times hoping this would help but the odor is still strong (i'm sensitive to chemical smells but others notice it too). Any advice on how to speed up the process on getting it to a low or no odor? It doesn't seem safe to steam inside the steam shower when it has that silicone smell. any advice would be appreciated! thank you!

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Comments (4)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Silicone cures in hours, not weeks. I'm always in a race to get my sinks strapped so I can remove the silicone squeeze-out because it begins curing in 10 minutes or so as soon as it hits the air. The smell is something else, I'll bet.
AJCN
4 years ago
What did your builder say?
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Tile Corrector
4 years ago
From Loctite/henkel

Clear, 1-part, thixotropic, room temperature-cure, acetoxy silicone vulcanizing compound paste sealant with an acetic acid odor.

LOCTITE® SI 595 is a clear, 1-part, thixotropic, room temperature vulcanizing, acetoxy silicone vulcanizing compound paste sealant with an acetic acid odor. It is designed as an excellent adhesive sealant for mechanical assemblies. Typical applications include electrical insulation, protection of leads from mechanical shock, trim bonding, and sealing of ductwork, vents, flues, doors, and windows.

Sorry but it is not 100% silicone, not sold for submersable applications. It does say full cure in 24 hrs. So you may be smelling a few things.

I would verify your installer used A submersable grade thinset or medium bed mortar and submersable grade grouts and Steam rated Vaporproofing.

Your issues would require an onsite assessment as well as A full understanding of every material used and that its CURE time was honored in conjunction with site conditions. Steamers need to cure out well over 30+ days before introducing steam or you may have serious issues.
pacohimbo
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for the comments.

all I can say is when i put my nose up to the edges of the glass where there is silicone, I can smell the odor I am referencing. Same with the fixtures. Very strange that Thermasol who makes steam generators would recommend a silicone type that isn't approved for use in a steam shower? With all of the ineptitude I have experienced through this process, I suppose it is possible but this is what they told me they include with their steam control and steam head for sealing inside the steam shower. Heinkel is closed at the moment but I will call them tomorrow to ask about the Loctite SI 595.

As for waiting 30+ days before steaming, the build out, tile and glass install were complete prior to April 15th. The only thing that is one month old is the seal around the fixtures inside the steam shower as the plumber originally used water-based acrylic seal, which I know isn't approved for steam showers so I called Thermasol to get a silicone rec, removed the acrylic myself and hired someone to appy the silicone around the fixtures; that part was done about a month ago. I am still smelling silicone along the edges of the glass and around fixtures. I did not smell a smell until after the glass was installed so I do not suspect it to be a thin set or mortar issue. I first used the shower in late May and the steam shower 2 weeks ago for the first time; the smell was too intense to continue.

Does anyone have advice on how to air out cured silicone smell from a steam shower?

Steam Shower strong silicone smell a month after install

Comments (4)

Joseph Corlett, LLC

AJCN

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Steam Shower strong silicone smell a month after install

Comments (4)

Joseph Corlett, LLC

AJCN

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Tile Corrector

pacohimboOriginal Author

COMPANY

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GET HELP

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pacohimbo
Original Author