I notice that the sealant around my faucets is crumbling. What should I use to replace it?
Question:One plumber used a transparent sealant in a tube, but it seems online that all the recommendations are for plumber's putty. This is an older home; I'm not sure what the content of the bathroom sink and counter are; in the kitchen, the faucet is on the metal sink itself.
Answers:
I would remove all the old putty you can clean it and use a clear sealant. Wy? because in older homes they used plumbers putty before they invented rtv,s they crack from air and moister over time because of a chemical breakdown in the mix they loose plyability and dry out. A good clear urathane sealant will remain plyable or (rubbery) for alot longer and will seal better, also it looks neater.
I would use clear silicone sealant. It dries fairly
clear. It sticks good, and is waterproof.
The sealant was probably silicone. You can get it in tubes at the hardware store and it comes in clear and different colors. Wear gloves-- it can be messy -- especially when I use my fingers to push it into the crevices.
I've used the grey around my drain in the kitchen sink. The drainage in our building isn't the best and the drain loosens after repeated plunging --but the silicone 'glue' holds it in place the best. I also used it as a sealant around the perimeter of the stainless steel sink (where it sits on the counter) and aaround the faucets.
It really works, is easy to do, and is not expensive.
Hope this helps.
the plumbers putty is still used in drains through the attachment of the pipes to the fixture & drain baskets.
For your faucets that are visible, use kitchen & bathroom tub & tile caulk.
Its water soluable, cleans up well and dries with some movement in it so it will not crack so fast.
adheres quickly to porceline, stainless & chrome nicely.
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