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.
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 recommended only for setting bowls, fixtures, faucets, sink frames and strainers and is compatible with stainless-steel fixtures. Plumber's putty should not be used on plastics (Acrylic or ABS) because it will affect the integrity of the material and lead to product failure.
100% silicone caulk is recommend. There are many conditions where plumbers putty could cause product failure and finished product staining, please refer to category #4 FAQs for these applications.
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.
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.
Silicone sealant is the best type of caulk for kitchen use. Silicone is waterproof and non-toxic. It is flexible, durable and rarely cracks. It is capable of adhering to a wide variety of substrates, including metal, glass, porcelain and ceramic.
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.
Once the putty has been installed and is dry, it is usually not recommended for use for more than 10 years. This is due to the fact that it will eventually harden and start to deteriorate, meaning it will no longer be effective at preventing leaks.
Oatey®, Hercules® and Harvey™ Plumbers Putty helps provide a waterproof seal between two rigid surfaces. Plumbers putty is a long-lasting, easy to use fixture setting compound for setting frames, faucets, bath wastes and basket strainers. Product remains flexible and resilient.
Can you use too much plumbers putty? It is normal to use an excessive amount of plumbers putty because as you tighten the parts together the excess putty will squeeze out. You can then reclaim the squeeze-out and use it again.
The rubber gasket should be sufficient to seal without putty.
Plumber's putty, used to create watertight seals around faucets, drains, and sink fixtures, does in fact harden. It's an easier solution than caulk that can be difficult remove if necessary.
Putty should remain malleable throughout its life. To use it, plumbers roll the putty between our fingers to shape it. If you begin rolling the putty and it flakes or cracks, toss it out. Using old putty simply won't work.
Since plumbing putty is popular for watertight sealing faucets, drains, and sinks – can it be used underwater? Although it's designed to provide a watertight seal against the seeping water, it's not a good option to opt for underwater use. The elements/ingredients it's made up of don't support underwater projects.
Thread seal tape and pipe dope are both effective pipe sealants. However, many people prefer using thread seal tape since it is cleaner to work with than traditional grease or paste-like sealants. Plumber's putty is used to form a water tight seal between the sink and the faucet and between the sink and the drain.
If there's putty residue left behind, try to wipe it off with a mineral spirit. Since the binding compound in putty comprises of linseed oil, you'll easily dissolve it in a mild solvent such as a mineral spirit.
And unlike plumbers putty, silicone caulk will work on virtually any material. That includes metals, ceramics, glass, stone, and even plastics. So if you're looking for an easy way to seal up those little nooks and crannies in your home, silicone caulk is definitely the right choice.
Silicone is designed to prevent water from breaching the gap between the wall and floor joints. Unlike tile grout, silicone can withstand the stress of building movement and foundation shifting. However, they can become cracked, mouldy or loose after regular exposure to wet conditions.
Silicone sealants are in fact waterproof. They are often used for underwater projects, semi-submerged aquatic settings and other projects with water and weather exposure.
Epoxy. Repair epoxy is putty or viscous liquid that can be used to repair pipe leaks on PVC and its joints.
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.