Both plumbers putty vs caulk silicone are sealing compounds. They're both designed to create a watertight fit for drains, fittings, showers, sinks strainers, and more. While plumbers putty is more traditional, silicone caulk is a great modern alternative. Either is acceptable for fixing a drain.
Plumber's putty is a small but important product in the arsenal of any DIYer. You've seen it at hardware stores or in your friendly plumber's toolbox. If you have to stop or prevent leaks around your faucet, sink, or tub drains, plumber's putty is the product you need.
For sealing a kitchen sink, or anywhere water could be present, choose a GE-branded 100% silicone sealant, like GE Tub & Tile Silicone 1® sealant. This sealant is 100% waterproof, permanently flexible and has 7-year mold-free product protection,1 so you can create a lasting, mold-resistant and watertight seal.
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.
For most general purposes, look for a universal sealant, such as Loctite Clear Silicone waterproof sealant. It's a powerful waterproof plumbing silicone sealant, perfect for use with metal, glass, rubber, tile, and porcelain.
“Sealant” is the general and correct term for the chemical used to seal. “Silicone” is one type of sealant. There are also acrylic sealants, polyurethane sealants etc. Silicone sealants are the most prevalent type of sealant.
The key difference between the two is the material compound. 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.
Both plumbers putty vs caulk silicone are sealing compounds. They're both designed to create a watertight fit for drains, fittings, showers, sinks strainers, and more. While plumbers putty is more traditional, silicone caulk is a great modern alternative. Either is acceptable for fixing a drain.
Make sure the depressed area around the sink drain is also clear of any built-up material. Afterwards, apply a bead of silicone caulk around the drain hole in the sink. Then, apply a second bead along the underside of the drain flange.
You can use it to fill up gaps around windows, doors, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, pipes, drains, and more. And unlike plumbers putty, silicone caulk will work on virtually any material.
Silicone sealant is the best type of sealant to use for most types of sinks, as it is a highly versatile and durable material that will adhere to many surfaces.
Use white caulk to seal up gaps and cracks in materials around the home, such as wood trim, door and window frames, tiles on backsplashes and in the shower, around the sink, and more. It will help to prevent water leakage and damage, as well as increase the insulation levels in your home.
Plumber's tape is recommended for use with most threaded connections that don't have a built-in rubber seal. It also helps lubricate the connection, making the threading a bit smoother, and it helps to prevent pipes from sticking when you want to disassemble the joint.
For a stainless or metal sink (such as those commonly found in kitchens), you'll want to use a silicone-based caulk. For a porcelain sink (more common in bathroom spaces), a latex-based caulk will be a better fit.
The rubber gasket should be sufficient to seal without putty.
Most undermount sink manufacturers recommend that you use pure, 100-percent silicone sealant for undermount sink installation. Silicone sealants are designed for resilient flexibility and have good adhesive properties. If an ordinary caulk was used to seal the sink, it likely will fail quickly.
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.
It depends on what type of sink you are installing a drain in. Definitely use plumbers putty on stainless steel sinks, the rubber and slip washer go on the bottom. Many of the newer sinks will adversely react with plumbers putty and require silicone caulk. If in doubt check with your supplier.
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.