Apply silicone caulk on the sink drain flange When it comes to fixing leaks, silicone caulk is one of the best options because it's inexpensive, easy to use, and can be found in most hardware stores.
Plumber's putty is a malleable, clay-like compound that creates a watertight seal by filling in the space under a flange to prevent water from seeping through.
Both plumber's putty and silicone are sealing compounds designed to provide a water tight fit for pop up drains, sink strainers, undersides of fittings, showers and drains. Plumber's putty is more traditional while silicone caulking is a more modern product, but either one (in most cases) can get the job done.
Creating a seal around the kitchen sink is a simple step often overlooked by DIYers. Sealing around kitchen sinks or sealing a sink drain with silicone will keep your sink in good condition and prevent future problems. Using a high quality, waterproof sealant prevents water and debris from entering the gaps.
RELN Drainage Sealant is 100% silicone and designed to be used with Channel Drains, Catch Basins and Sewer and Drainpipe to prevent leaks by creating watertight connections at each drainage assembly point.
“Silicone” is one type of sealant. There are also acrylic sealants, polyurethane sealants etc. Silicone sealants are the most prevalent type of sealant. [Note that silicones can also be used in other things, such as silicone gel pads and in plastic surgery – these are not called sealants].
The main difference between plumbers putty or silicone for sink drain is how easy the substances are to manipulate or remove. Plumbers putty is very easy to manipulate into tight areas, and it's also easier to remove. That makes silicone putty better for waterproofing, even if it's more difficult to work with.
Plumber's putty is soft sealing material and that means it won't harden over time, making it easy to disassemble or remove after several years. Silicone on the other hand, dries up and hardens over time, making it difficult to remove or work with again.
Insert the new basin waste into the old slot for a flush fit. If the waste features an overflow, make sure the direction of the hole is lined up with the waste. Optional step – silicone the gaps between the basin and the waste. This isn't essential but creates a watertight seal around the waste.
Generally, the easiest and most effective sealant for leaking plastic pipes is a liquid pipe compound as they can create air-tight seals around a leak. In some cases, a silicone repair tape may be just as effective, provided the leak is small enough.
Apply a rope of plumber's putty around the drain hole.
Plumber's putty is a non-adhesive substance that creates a water-tight seal around drains. Scoop out a handful of plumber's putty and knead it together so it's easy to work with.
Don't do it. Plumbers putty is cheap but it will dry out and crack quicker than rubber gaskets. Most plumbers use silicone rather than rubber gaskets in some very common areas. We should always use pure clear silicone on the lav waste, tub shoe and the kitchen sink strainers.
However, if you're looking for something more permanent to fill the hole left behind by that pesky leaky pipe, silicone is an excellent choice. It can be used as a caulking material around pipes, sinks, showers, toilets, etc., and is also available in different colors.
There are some sinks and faucets where a silicone caulk must be used, but the majority of installations still call for using plumber's putty.
Stainless steel is a popular choice for its durability and rust-resistant properties, while silicone strainers are more flexible and can fit into a wider range of sink shapes.
Yea, don't skip the putty, or something, on the sink parts I'm working on without the putty there is no seal. THREADS ON FITTINGS DO NOT MAKE A WATERTIGHT SEAL. Never have, never will, by virtue of you being able to screw things together, they're not sealed tight.
Plumber's putty is moldable putty that can be worked into shapes once you warm it between your hands. It has a clay base with vegetable or mineral oils to help it stay malleable. It won't harden, shrink, dry out or crumble. This makes it perfect to seal plumbing fixtures, although it's not good on pipe threads.
SILICONE SEALANT LIMITATION
Possibility of surface dirt retention due to static charge. Not successfully paintable (in general for high quality silicones) Primers may be required on some surfaces. Lower tear and abrasion resistance.
Sealing joints on a damp surface should be strongly avoided, since silicone sealants generally do not adhere as well to moist substrates. If you want durable joints, never apply sealant in rain, freezing rain, snow or heavy fog.
If you need to seal junctions between walls and seal cracks in ceilings or walls then it's better to use Caulk because it dries quicker and is much more resistant to weathering and high temperatures.