For most general purposes, look for a universal sealant, such as
Plumber's putty is best for indoor, removable seals like sink drains, while silicone is ideal for permanent, watertight applications in high-moisture or outdoor environments.
For a quick fix when sealing sinks, windows, plumbing fixtures, or any job that might get wet, try Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant. It can be applied to create watertight seals when glass, ceramic, porcelain, wood, vinyl tile, and more.
Hercules® Silicone Plumbers Caulk™ Hercules® Silicone Plumbers Caulk™ professional-grade sealant provides excellent adhesion to most porous and non-porous substrates, including wood, glass, porcelain, tile, concrete, grout, metals and most plastics.
Plumbers use silicone as a sealant because it creates a water and airtight seal around plumbing fixtures, reducing the probability of leaks.
Selleys Wet Area Silicone Sealant gives you a superior waterproof and mould resistant seal that will not shrink, crack or peel away. This mould resistant formulation is ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
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.
Caulk is a plastic-based substance that hardens as it dries, while plumber putty consists of a rubber-like substance that will not harden when it dries. This makes caulk ideal for sealing larger gaps in pipes or walls, while a plumber's putty can be used to fill smaller holes and cracks.
Over time, leaks and drips can become a problem. The most popular products for sealing kitchen sink drains are plumber's putty and silicone sealant. Both products create effective, waterproof seals, but we recommend opting for silicone. Silicone sealant is quick and easy to apply, and it's extremely durable.
Plumber's putty, used to create watertight seals around faucets, drains, and sink fixtures, does in fact harden.
For most general purposes, look for a universal sealant, such as Loctite Clear Silicone waterproof sealant.
Plumbing Silicone is a neutral cure water resistant sealant used to seal roof and gutter applications. Suitable for potable water, Plumbing Silicone is compatible with most substrates.
Let's dive into the three main types of sealants: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic.
Plumber's putty is specifically designed for plumbing applications. It is ideal for setting faucets, sink basket strainers, shower and pop-up drains. It's easy to wipe away after installation and will not be visible from the outside of the plumbing fixture once installed.
Many plumbers use Loctite 222 Threadlocker for its quick cure time and corrosion protection. Although it forms an excellent seal and prevents loosening, the fitting can also be easily removed with hand tools when necessary.
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.
Surfaces that require paint may not interact well with silicone, leading to adhesion issues. Structural joints that require significant load-bearing capacity are also better served by alternative sealants, as silicone may not provide the necessary support.
1. Silicone Caulk: This stuff is waterproof, flexible, and really durable. Plus, it's resistant to mold and mildew. You'll see it used around sinks, bathtubs, and showers because it sticks well to surfaces like glass, metal, and ceramic.
MS polymers and polyurethanes are the two best silicone sealant alternatives. They are very similar to silicone and in most cases, they have higher performance than silicone sealants. MS polymers are likely the best option for you if you are looking for a sealant that has: Good UV resistance.
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. As mentioned, plumbers putty doesn't dry in the way you might expect so don't play around with it or attempt to force it to dry.
Prevent water damage
Properly sealing all gaps in the toilet prevents leaks from running into those holes and creating water damage. Instead, a quality sealant ensures the water lays harmlessly outside the toilet, where someone can easily mop it.
Although this product creates a watertight seal, it is not an adhesive or glue. Thus, it should not be used in any pressurized connection, such as a gasketed fitting or on the thread of pipes.
How long silicone takes to cure and dry will depend on a couple of different factors. The initial silicone dry time may only be 30 minutes to an hour, but at this point, the silicone is only dry to the touch. The full cure time for silicone is usually around 24 hours but could also take several days.
(If you do not have rubbing alcohol around your house, you can always use white vinegar too. This works just as well as the alcohol).