I need sealant for the bathroom.
si-ji-LAN-te — four syllables; stress the third; 'g' before 'i' is soft ('j').
Use this when you need to seal joints around a bath, shower, sink, or window. Sealant is one of the most commonly needed products in Italian apartments, where ageing silicone joints are a frequent source of leaks.
Sigillante is the generic term for sealant. The most common type for bathrooms is silicone (silicone — same word in Italian), which comes in white, transparent, and various colours. For food-contact surfaces, alimentare (food-safe) silicone is required. For windows and movement joints, elastomeric sealants are used.
Silicone bianco antimuffe per il bagno.
White anti-mould silicone for the bathroom.
Antimuffe (anti-mould) is essential for bathrooms; standard silicone without this protection turns black quickly.
Come si applica il sigillante?
How do you apply the sealant?
Question for application advice; staff often explain technique as well as product selection.
Ho bisogno di togliere il silicone vecchio prima.
I need to remove the old silicone first.
Important step; new silicone applied over old will not adhere properly.
Italy's housing stock includes enormous amounts of marble — floors, bathroom surfaces, kitchen tops — for which standard acetic silicone is corrosive. The distinction between acetico and neutro silicone is therefore more commercially and practically important in Italy than in countries where marble is less common. A good ferramenta always asks before selling.