Sunday, February 7, 2010

Can I use clear silicone intead of plumbers putty?

I am replacing an exisitng kitchen faucet. The instructions for my Glacier Bay faucet say to use a bead of plumbers putty around the inside bottom edge of the deck plate. I am assuming this is to keep water and gunk from getting between the faucet plate and the sink. I do not have any or know what it is. Can I just use clear silicone? It comes in a big tube like caulk.Can I use clear silicone intead of plumbers putty?
my gawd the answers here... sheesh...





yes you can use ';Silicone';. it is recommended to use silicone on marble otherwise the oils from the putty will ';stain'; the marble so using it on your kitchen faucet is fine.


the others here are confusing it with ';Caulking Material';. you SHOULD NOT use that.





plumbers putty will have more surface area sealed unless you pack the body of the facet with the silicone but it's messy to use.Can I use clear silicone intead of plumbers putty?
No. It is important that you use plumbers' putty. It will form a watertight seal around the fitting, but when you need to replace the fixture you will be able to. If you use a silicone or caulk-like material it will be bonded together permanently, and you will not be able to remove the fixture in the future.
You really should use plumbers putty. Once silicone sets, the faucets are there pretty much permanently and if you need to service them , you will then have a problem. Plumbers putty is inexpensive,easy to use and easy to find at any hardware store, just ask for it.
as long as its mildew resistant sure. it will work better than the putty. also fill the chrome or what ever finish the faucet is fill the sprayer escutching full underside when you put it on the sink .this is the place the water get in or under the most.


30 year plumber


tom
you sure it says use putty? that's usually for the drain basket or maybe where the faucet goes thru the sink. there should be a rubber gasket between the faucet base and the sink top.











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i'd get plumber's putty from lowe's or home depot. it's easy to get. it doesn't work the same way as silicone in that it doesn't have to set up.
Yes you can use the silicone. Be sure to have some mineral spirits and a rag around to clean up any oozage.
don't use caulk. you should always use plumber's putty

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