Stick to water-resistant products, like silicone caulk, for high-moisture areas, like the bathroom or kitchen. If you are working outdoors, a masonry repair sealant or butyl rubber sealant is likely the best option.
The Best Silicone Sealant Overall—Gorilla Clear Silicone Sealant Caulk. This Gorilla sealant is made of pure silicone and is excellent for any heavy-duty or touch-up project. The sealant is waterproof and can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications.
In general, silicone caulk is usually ideal for waterproofing because it is 100% waterproof, however some types of specialty caulk may use waterproofing technology that is superior to that of silicone.
What kind of caulk do you use in the bathroom? The best caulks for tubs, sinks, or shower stalls come in tubes labeled “Tub and Tile” or “Kitchen and Bath.” These are either acrylic latex or silicone compounds that have been chemically tweaked to resist mildew and to stick to smooth, nonporous surfaces.
Silicone is very flexible and acts as a water and moisture repellant, making it among the best caulks for both windows and bathrooms. Pure silicone is more expensive than latex caulk, but it is highly durable. Silicone caulk stands up to extremes in temperature changes and can last up to 20 years when properly applied.
Because of its elasticity, any movement in the joint should be tolerated and the silicone won't tear. That's why it's better than acrylic caulk for larger joints. Silicone is ideal for rooms with higher moisture levels (like kitchens and bathrooms) as it is water-resistant.
Water is the real threat to your sealant joints
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.
In general, sealant is the prefered sealing solution for bathtubs and showers, as it is more water resistant than traditional caulk. Silicone sealant forms a watertight seal that is resistant to heavy temperature changes.
Solvent-based Caulk
For roofing jobs and gutters, solvent-based exterior caulks are ideal because direct sunlight does not degrade them. Additionally, they can be applied to wet surfaces if necessary.
Acrylic Latex Caulk *Plus Silicone - In my opinion this is the minimum standard of sealant that should be used for interior painting project applications such as the joints where baseboards, door & window casings, and crown moldings meet the walls.
Perfect silicone joints are waterproof and water-repellent. They prevent water from passing through and repel it to the outside. A silicone sealant can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality chosen and the location of the caulking in relation to the elements, such as the sun and high winds.
Selleys Wet Area Silicone Sealant gives a superior waterproof and mould resistant seal. Designed for sealing wet areas such shower screens, baths, spas, sinks and plumbing fixtures, it has a built in fungicidal protector to stop the growth of black mould and fungus.
Polyurethane. Poly caulks are generally tougher than other sealants, making them a good choice for driveways and other areas that take a beating.
#1 Acrylic Caulk
Acrylic caulk is generally regarded as the best residential caulking option, particularly for sealing surfaces prone to repeated mold infestation. Typical areas recommended for acrylic caulking include bathroom surfaces like sinks, tubs and kitchen countertops.
Silicone caulk is excellent at water sealing and flexibility so it has its place in construction. There are two main places it never should be installed, wood or any painted surface.
Certain places on the exterior of the home should not be caulked, since they'll cut off openings needed for air circulation or drainage. Elegant Painting says these spaces include the gap created when trim boards sit atop the siding, any wood to metal joints, weep holes on windows, and garage door panels.
Never caulk over damaged or moldy caulk.
Applying a new layer of caulk to an old layer of caulk isn't recommended, but it is doable if the old caulk is still in relatively good condition.
Selleys STORM Sealant delivers a waterproof seal on any material*, wet or dry, indoor or outdoor. It can even be applied in the rain to stop leaks in an instant. Selleys Storm Waterproof Tape is a quick and easy way to seal and patch most objects*. It can be applied in the rain to stop leaks in an instant.
Wickes All Weather Polymer Sealant is a flexible, waterproof sealant that can be applied to wet or damp surfaces, this product can be used for a wide variety of applications.
Silicone tends to lose adhesion over time, and can't stick to wet surfaces at all. Lexel® sticks to a wider variety of surfaces, and can be applied to wet surfaces.
If any moisture remains, the silicone sealant may not fully adhere to the surface, so leave the shower tray to dry for a couple of hours before applying the sealant.
Get the best mold-resistant shower caulk from Adfast!
Our AdSeal KB 4800 series is high-quality, mildew-resistant acetoxy silicone sealant that is perfect for kitchen and bathroom use. Contact us today for durable shower caulk that's sure to remain fungus-free!
You'll hear many conflicting pieces of advice on this; we recommend only sealing a cubicle with silicone on the outside. If applied to the inside, water may leak through the profiles causing a damp patch.