Did you know that knowing the right type of sealing compound to use makes plumbing installations and repair faster and easier? For the untrained homeowner, it is easy to understand confusion on whether to use plumbers putty or silicone caulk. Hopefully, we can clear up some of those confusions with this simple comparison.

Why Use Putty

Why would many plumbers recommend using putty instead of silicone? One of the reasons is that putty will remain soft for a longer time to keep the watertight seal better. However, it also allows for easy removal of drains or fixtures if there is a need to replace it.

Silicone on the other hand can be used in place of putty. The main concern is that if you need to remove the fixture, you may find it a bit difficult. This is not a very good scenario for DIY plumbers. Silicone is not very easy to work with because it is not as dense as putty. This means that it is not quite good to use as a filler, but it does provide a great seal that needs a long time to dry out. This makes it quite inconvenient to use.

How to Use

You will need only a pinch of putty, knead it, and roll it to form a snake-like figure. This is then positioned around the base of the faucet or lip of the drain before it is pushed into the sink. Make sure that the amount is enough to fill the gaps. The excess putty can be squeezed out and put back into the container so that it can be used again.

100% silicone caulk can provide flexibility and better adhesion when caulking areas around the bathtub. It can be difficult to evenly spread because it is extremely sticky. To spread it easier, spray denatured alcohol around the area and use the caulking gun to apply a bead to the joint. Use your finger to smoothen out the caulk bead before the alcohol completely evaporates. This should make it easier for you to evenly apply the caulk.

Putty vs Silicone

Did you know that two of the most common water sealing products are putty and silicone caulk? Both are extremely effective in sealing plumbing but when do you know when to use plumbers putty or silicone?

Plumber putty can deliver other purposes compared to caulks. The standard putty can be used around pipe joints that do not have threads. This means that it is a good choice for virtually all types of faucets and sinks.

Since silicone caulk can create a 100% watertight connection that is airtight as well, it is great for use in plumbing areas that are prone to leakage. So if you are dealing with a plumbing area that needs to be airtight and also involves intense water pressure, silicone caulk would be a better choice.

Silicone caulk is also preferred for appliances made from plastic because it prevents staining problems that are associated with plumbers putty. This means you can use silicone with granite or marble fixtures and the fact that putty does not work well with porous surfaces.

So let’s summarize. If you are working on sinks, drains, or faucets, plumbers putty has a proven track record of delivering efficient water sealing protection. If you need absolutely 100% airtightness and involved pressurized water, silicone caulk would be your best choice.

As you can see, each water sealing product has its own unique characteristic that makes each ideal for various plumbing usage. The choice of plumbers putty or silicone caulk is really not that easy for the untrained plumber.

That is why, if you want to make sure that you are using the right water sealing product for your project, always ask an expert for advice. Or better yet, call a plumbing professional like www.plumbing-orangecounty.biz and let them do the work correctly.