12
Sealant Calculator
Not sure on how much sealant you'll need? Use our calculator to find out.
This product is only available as Box Buy only.
Sikasil® Pool: A Product Overview
Sikasil® Pool is a 1-part, neutral curing silicone sealant designed specifically for the demanding environment of swimming pools and permanently wet areas. Its formulation provides a reliable, flexible, and non-corrosive seal for joints between tiles, concrete, glass, and metals. Engineered for both interior and exterior use, it delivers a high-performance solution for areas constantly exposed to water and chemicals, ensuring long-term durability and water tightness.
Core Features & Specifications
- Good Chlorinated Water Resistance: Formulated to withstand common swimming pool chemicals when water chemistry (pH and chlorine levels) is correctly maintained.
- Very Good Fungal Resistance: Prevents the growth of mould and fungus, keeping joints clean and professional in permanently wet conditions.
- Movement Capability ±25%: High elasticity and flexibility accommodate significant joint movement from temperature changes, preventing cracks and leaks.
- Neutral Cure: A non-corrosive formula that is safe for use on metals (including stainless steel) and cement-based substrates like concrete and tiles.
- Excellent Adhesion: Bonds reliably to a wide range of common porous and non-porous pool construction materials when used with the recommended primers.
The Sikasil® Pool Advantage
- Prevent Costly Callbacks: Get the job done right the first time. Delivers a durable, long-lasting seal that resists fungus and chlorine, eliminating rework for leaks or aesthetic failure.
- Work with Confidence: The high elasticity (±25% movement) and proven adhesion mean you can stand behind your work, knowing the seal won't fail under pressure.
- Versatile Application: One professional-grade product for multiple critical wet area applications, from pool tiling and glass fences to concrete joints and drains.
- Professional Finish: Easy to tool and apply using a standard caulking gun, creating neat, clean joint lines that reflect the quality of your work.
Adheseal tips for using Sikasil® Pool
Scenario: Applying to Damp or Contaminated Surfaces
Potential Outcome: Poor or non-existent adhesion, leading to bond failure, delamination, and inevitable leaks. This is the number one cause of sealant failure.
Adheseal Best Practice: Substrates must be perfectly clean, sound, and bone dry. Always ensure the substrate temperature is at least +3°C above the dew point to prevent condensation.
Scenario: Incorrect Joint Design
Potential Outcome: Excessive stress on the sealant, causing it to tear or pull away from the joint walls, especially during thermal movement.
Adheseal Best Practice: Always use a closed-cell polyethylene foam backing rod. Ensure the joint width is between 10mm and 35mm and the depth is between 6mm and 10mm. A 2:1 width-to-depth ratio is ideal.
Scenario: Filling the Pool Too Early
Potential Outcome: The sealant hasn't fully cured. This compromises its chemical resistance and adhesion, leading to premature failure.
Adheseal Best Practice: You must allow the sealant to cure completely for a minimum of 7 days before filling the pool with water.
Applications in Practice: Trade Scenarios
For Pool Builders & Tilers: Sealing Movement Joints
The Professional's Challenge
Sealing tile movement joints that will be permanently underwater and exposed to chlorine. You need a 100% reliable seal that won't degrade, grow mould, or fail.
The Adheseal Solution
Use Sikasil® Pool following correct joint design (10-35mm wide) with a backing rod. For concrete or unglazed tiles, prime the clean, dry joint walls with Sika® Primer-3 N. For glazed tiles, prep with Sika® Aktivator-205. Tool the sealant firmly for full contact.
Best Practice Note
Ensure water pH (6.5-7.6) and free chlorine (< 5 mg/L) are maintained after curing. Advise the client this is critical for sealant longevity. Wait the full 7-day cure time before filling.
For Remedial Contractors: Replacing Failed Sealant
The Professional's Challenge
Replacing failed sealant in an existing pool. The old sealant is covered in black fungus, peeling, and leaking, risking client trust and requiring a permanent fix.
The Adheseal Solution
All old sealant must be mechanically removed. Clean the joint surfaces using a wire brush or grinder, then remove all dust. Prep the sound, dry substrate with the appropriate primer (e.g., Sika® Primer-3 N for concrete). Apply Sikasil® Pool and tool to a smooth finish.
Best Practice Note
Do not use acid-based detergents for cleaning. If reconstructing joints due to fungal growth, the old Sikasil® Pool must be completely removed first to ensure a clean bonding surface.
For Glaziers & Metal Fabricators: Sealing Fixtures
The Professional's Challenge
Sealing metal fixtures (ladders, drains) or glass pool fencing penetrations against concrete or tiles. The seal must be non-corrosive, flexible, and watertight.
The Adheseal Solution
Sikasil® Pool is a neutral cure, non-corrosive sealant. For stainless steel or anodised aluminium, lightly roughen, clean, and prep with Sika® Aktivator-205. For copper or brass, use Sika® Aktivator-205 followed by Sika® Primer-3 N. For PVC, use Sika® Primer-215.
Best Practice Note
For standard glass, simply clean thoroughly with Isopropanol before application. Always test adhesion on a small, non-visible area before full project application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to wait before filling the pool after using Sikasil Pool?
You must wait a minimum of 7 days for Sikasil® Pool to cure completely before filling the pool. This ensures the sealant reaches its full strength and chemical resistance, which is critical for long-term performance in permanent water immersion. Curing time can be longer in cold or dry conditions.
Is Sikasil Pool resistant to chlorine and pool chemicals?
Yes, it has good resistance to chlorinated water and common swimming pool cleaning chemicals. However, this resistance is dependent on balanced water chemistry. For maximum sealant life, you must ensure the pool water maintains a pH value between 6.5 and 7.6 and a free chlorine level below 5 mg/L.
Do I need to use a primer with this pool sealant?
Yes, for critical applications like swimming pools, a primer is highly recommended to ensure optimum adhesion and joint durability. The correct primer varies by substrate: use Sika® Primer-3 N for concrete and unglazed tiles, Sika® Aktivator-205 for glazed tiles and most metals, and Sika® Primer-215 for PVC.
Can I paint over Sikasil Pool?
No, this product cannot be overpainted. It is a silicone-based sealant, and paint will not adhere to its cured surface. It is available in White, Grey, and Transparent to match your required finish.
Applications & Benefits
| Application / Use Case | Key Benefit | Primary Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Sealing movement joints in concrete or tiled swimming pools. | High elasticity (±25%) and strong bond prevent leaks from thermal expansion/contraction. | Pool Builders, Tilers |
| Sealing joints in permanently wet areas (e.g., showers, change rooms, laundries). | Very good fungal resistance prevents the growth of unsightly and unhygienic mould. | Plumbers, Tilers, Builders |
| Sealing around metal fixtures (drains, ladders) and glass fencing. | Neutral cure formula is non-corrosive and safe for metals, glass, and concrete. | Plumbers, Glaziers, Builders |
| Interior and exterior sealing for areas under permanent water immersion. | Engineered to withstand permanent water immersion and chemical exposure for long-term durability. | Remedial Contractors, Builders |
Applying Sikasil® Pool: Enhanced Protocols & Best Practices
-
Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is the most critical step. All substrates must be sound, clean, dry, and free of contaminants like dirt, oil, grease, cement laitance, or old sealant residues.
Mechanical Preparation
Use wire brushing, grinding, or grit blasting to remove all weak substrate material. Repair any damaged joint edges.
Cleaning
Remove all dust, loose, and friable material from all surfaces with a brush and/or vacuum before applying any primer or sealant.
Pro Tip: The substrate temperature must be at least +3°C above the dew point. This prevents condensation from forming on the surface, which would ruin adhesion and lead to failure. -
Priming
Apply the correct primer as specified in the Adhesion Guide to ensure durable, long-term adhesion. Avoid excessive application.
Application
Apply the specified primer (e.g., Sika® Primer-3 N, Sika® Aktivator-205, Sika® Primer-215) to the joint surfaces using a clean cloth or brush. Follow the flash-off times for that specific primer.
Pro Tip: Primers are adhesion promoters, not a substitute for proper surface cleaning. Do not use primers to try and "fix" a poorly prepared or contaminated surface. -
Application
Insert a closed-cell polyethylene foam backing rod to the required depth (6mm - 10mm). If required, apply masking tape for neat joint lines. Fit the cartridge nozzle and cut it to the desired bead size.
Applying Sealant
Apply the sealant into the joint, ensuring it comes into full contact with the adhesion areas. Work to avoid air entrapment.
-
Tooling & Finishing
As soon as possible after application (within the ~5 min skin time), tool the sealant firmly against the joint sides. This ensures adequate adhesion and a smooth, professional finish.
Tooling
Use a compatible tooling agent, such as Sika® Tooling Agent N, to smooth the joint surface. Do not use any tooling products that contain solvents.
Pro Tip: Remove the masking tape (if used) within the skin formation time of the sealant (~5 minutes) to get a clean, sharp edge. -
Curing
The sealant must be completely cured before the pool is filled. The cure rate is approximately 2.0 mm per 24 hours.
Timing: Allow a minimum of 7 days for the sealant to fully cure before filling the pool. This time may be longer in cold or dry conditions.
Limitations & Safety
Product Limitations
Not Paintable: Sikasil® Pool cannot be overpainted. Choose the final colour (White, Grey, Transparent) required for the job.
Water Chemistry: Only for use in swimming pools with a pH value between 6.5 and 7.6, and free chlorine < 5 mg/L. Incorrect water chemistry can degrade the sealant.
Staining/Leaching Substrates: Do not use on building materials which leach oils, plasticisers, or solvents (e.g., bitumen, natural rubber, EPDM).
Curing Time: Must be cured for a minimum of 7 days before filling the pool. Do not rush this step.
Not for Food Contact: Must not be used for joints with direct food contact. Not suitable for medical or pharmaceutical uses.
Colour Variation: Colour variations may occur due to exposure to chemicals, high temperatures or UV-radiation (especially with white). This is aesthetic and does not affect technical performance.
Safety & Handling Requirements
Personal Protective Equipment
Wear chemical-resistant, impervious gloves (e.g., butyl or nitrile rubber) and safety glasses complying with AS/NZS 1337.1.
Handling & Hygiene
Follow standard industrial hygiene measures. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using. Wash hands after use and before breaks. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Storage
Store in original, unopened, and undamaged sealed packaging in dry conditions at temperatures between +5°C and +25°C.
Emergency First Aid
Eyes:
Flush eyes with water as a precaution. Remove contact lenses. Keep eye wide open while rinsing.
Skin:
Take off contaminated clothing. Wash skin off immediately with soap and plenty of water.
Inhaled:
Move to fresh air. Consult a physician after significant exposure.
Swallowed:
Clean mouth with water and drink plenty of water afterwards. Do not give milk or alcoholic beverages. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Treat symptomatically. Refer to the full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed information.
Sikasil® Pool Adhesion & Preparation Guide
Porous Substrates (Concrete, Unglazed Tiles)
Surface Preparation
Substrate must be sound, clean, dry, and free of all contaminants (dirt, oil, laitance, old sealant). Use wire brushing or grinding to remove all weak material. Remove all dust.
Primer Requirements
Primer Required
Apply Sika® Primer-3 N with a brush. Wait until the flash-off time is over before applying sealant.
Metals (Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Galv. Steel)
Surface Preparation
Lightly roughen the surface with a fine abrasive pad. Clean the surface thoroughly and ensure it is dry.
Primer Requirements
Pre-treatment Required
Pretreat the surface with Sika® Aktivator-205 applied with a clean cloth.
Other Metals (Copper, Brass, Titanium-zinc)
Surface Preparation
Lightly roughen the surface with a fine abrasive pad. Clean the surface thoroughly and ensure it is dry.
Primer Requirements
Two-Step Priming Required
First, pretreat with Sika® Aktivator-205. After flash-off, apply Sika® Primer-3 N with a brush.
Glass & Glazed Tiles
Surface Preparation
For Glass: Clean thoroughly with Isopropanol before application. No primer needed.
For Glazed Tiles: Lightly roughen with a fine abrasive pad and clean.
Primer Requirements
Primer Required for Glazed Tiles
On Glazed Tiles, pretreat with Sika® Aktivator-205 applied with a clean cloth.
PVC Substrates
Surface Preparation
Ensure the PVC surface is perfectly clean, dry, and free of any grease or oils.
Primer Requirements
Primer Required
Apply Sika® Primer-215 with a brush. Wait until the flash-off time is over before applying sealant.