I've actually used those rubber gasket seals you're talking about, and honestly, they're better than you'd think. Installed one in my kitchen sink about two years ago—no leaks yet, even with daily hot water use. I get your skepticism though; I've had my share of plumbing "innovations" fail spectacularly too (don't get me started on those flexible drain pipes...).
But here's the thing: from a sustainability standpoint, silicone and plumber's putty aren't exactly eco-friendly. Silicone is notoriously tough to recycle or dispose of responsibly, and plumber's putty isn't much better. These gasket seals at least have the potential to be reused or recycled more easily if you ever need to replace them.
Sure, they might not last forever—but neither does silicone or putty. And when it comes time to swap things out again, you'll thank yourself for not having to scrape off hardened silicone bits for hours. I'd say give it a shot next time you're doing a fixture swap; worst-case scenario, you're back where you started anyway.
Interesting points about sustainability—I hadn't really considered the recycling angle before. I've always defaulted to silicone because it's just what I'm used to, but you're right, scraping off old silicone is a total pain. Still, I'm curious about the longevity factor. You mentioned two years without leaks, which is great, but have you noticed any signs of wear or deterioration yet? I'm wondering if certain water conditions—like hard water or chlorine levels—might affect the lifespan of these gasket seals differently than silicone or putty. Has anyone else here had experience with how different water qualities impact these newer gasket materials? Would be interesting to see if there's a noticeable difference in durability depending on your local water supply...
I've been wondering about water quality myself, actually. Our city water is pretty hard, and I've noticed some buildup around the edges of the gasket after about a year and a half. No leaks yet, thankfully, but it does make me wonder if the mineral deposits might eventually compromise the seal. Silicone was always my go-to as well, but honestly, I'm willing to trade a bit of longevity for easier maintenance—scraping silicone off fixtures is a weekend project I don't miss at all...
Hard water can definitely be a pain when it comes to fixtures. I've dealt with similar issues in the past, and while silicone is reliable, you're right—it can be a real chore to remove later on. Something I've had success with is switching over to plumber's putty for certain applications. It's not quite as long-lasting as silicone, but it's way easier to clean up and replace when needed. Plus, if you catch buildup early enough, you can often just loosen the fixture slightly, clean around it, and snug things back up without a full replacement.
Another thing that's helped me is installing an under-sink water softener or even just a small inline filter. It doesn't eliminate buildup entirely, but it significantly reduces mineral deposits around seals and fixtures. Might be worth considering if your water hardness is consistently causing headaches—could save you some hassle down the road.
"Another thing that's helped me is installing an under-sink water softener or even just a small inline filter."
I've considered those inline filters myself, but honestly, I'm skeptical they're worth the hassle. Sure, they help somewhat, but in my experience, they clog up pretty quickly if your water is seriously hard—then you're stuck replacing filters constantly. Personally, I've found that regularly wiping fixtures down with vinegar or CLR every couple weeks is less annoying and cheaper in the long run. Just my two cents though... everyone's mileage varies.
