I've heard similar things about the eco-friendly silicone, but honestly, I'm not entirely convinced it's worth the hassle for most DIY jobs. Sure, it might be better for the planet, but from what I've seen, the application process can be a real headache—especially if you're not already super comfortable with regular silicone. When I renovated my own kitchen last year, I actually skipped silicone altogether and used plumber's putty instead. It's old-school, but there's a reason it's stuck around: it's forgiving, easy to work with, and you don't have to worry about it setting too fast or sticking everywhere. Plus, cleanup was a breeze compared to silicone disasters I've had in the past... Maybe I'm just biased after one too many silicone mishaps, but sometimes the traditional methods are still the best option.
I totally get where you're coming from with plumber's putty. When I redid my bathroom last summer, I thought I'd give the eco-friendly silicone a shot—big mistake. Spent half the afternoon wrestling with it, and cleanup was a nightmare. Ended up scraping it all off and going back to good old plumber's putty. Sometimes sticking with what's tried-and-true saves you a ton of headaches down the road... Glad I'm not alone on this one.
I see your point about plumber's putty being reliable, but I've found that high-quality silicone, when applied correctly and with the right prep, actually holds up better long-term. It's a bit fussier at first, sure...but worth it for durability and mold resistance down the line.
I've used both plumber's putty and silicone on plenty of kitchen sinks, and honestly, silicone does win out if you're patient enough. The key is prep—clean surfaces thoroughly, dry completely, and apply a nice even bead (wet your finger with dish soap to smooth it out nicely). Yeah, it's a bit messy at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad. Plus, silicone's mold resistance is a lifesaver if you've ever had to scrape off old, nasty putty after a few years...trust me on that one.
- Silicone definitely has its perks, especially the mold resistance. I've had my fair share of scraping off crusty old putty—never again if I can help it.
- One thing I'd add though: silicone can be a real pain if you ever need to remove or replace the sink later on. Had a client who wanted to swap out their sink after just a couple years (changed their mind on style), and that silicone was holding on for dear life. Took way longer than expected to pry it loose without damaging the countertop.
- Personally, I've found that using painter's tape around the edges before applying silicone helps keep things tidy. Peel it off right after smoothing the bead, and you get a crisp line without much cleanup.
- Curious if anyone here has tried hybrid sealants? I've heard good things about them being easier to remove down the road, but haven't had a chance to test them myself yet.
