Stainless Steel Sink on Laminate - Plumbers Putty, Silicone or ???

[CupCak3]

I just had new laminate counter tops installed yesterday. The installer said to use plumbers putty under the lip of the stainless steel sink when installing it onto the laminate. I've been doing a little reading online and many say to use silicone caulk because the plumbers putty may not keep a seal over time. The one concern I have with the silicone is of the laminate coming up if we need to remove the sink.

What is the best sealant to seal the sink onto the counter tops?

Thanks.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Either works fine if they're applied correctly.

 

[Sluggo]

The plumbers putty is probably sealing the drains on the sink, so if you trust if for that...

 

[Gothgar]

Silicone doesnt last forever either... stick with the putty

 

[Greenman]

Silicone. Put a bead around the edge of the sink, drop it in and tighten the clamps. Then spray the edge of the sink with denatured alcohol and run your thumb nail around it to remove the excess.
If you ever need to remove the sink, run a utility knife blade around the edge to cut the silicone.

 

[paperfist]

Plumber's putty.

Just took out a stainless steel sink (the old thick kind) for my gf who was saving it for a new counter. The previous owners used a good amount of silicone and what a nightmare to remove 20 years later. I ended it bending part of the sink and gouged a bit of the laminate. I was able to fix the sink and the gouging happened under the lip of the sink so no big deal.

The thing is though is if you have a thought of changing sinks it makes even more sense to use plumber's putty. It's not like the edge of a sink gets exposed to that much water.

 

[mztykal]

I use silicone made for baths and kitchens that's mold resistant. I consider plumbers putty job security for plumbers. Lol

 

[0roo0roo]

never had leaking putty, and as said, it is used for the drain, it works fine.

 

[dabuddha]

I used both when I changed my kitchen sink.

 

[highland145]

Either works fine if they're applied correctly.

This and Bro the Plumber of 30+ uses the putty. May be habit but he's a perfectionist and if he'd noticed a long term problem, he'd use something else.

 

[CupCak3]

Thanks for all the comments guys. This makes me more comfortable about using the putty. If I have to replace the plumber putty in 10 years, I'm alright with that. Swapping out a kitchen sink is one of the easier home improvement projects I've done.

I'll likely use some spare oil based paint and coat the bare particle board around the underside of the sink to protect it if there is a little leak. Seems like cheap insurance.

I used both when I changed my kitchen sink.

Did you use the putty under the lip and then silicone around the outside of the lip for a final seal?

 

[highland145]

I'll likely use some spare oil based paint and coat the bare particle board around the underside of the sink to protect it if there is a little leak. Seems like cheap insurance.



Did you use the putty under the lip and then silicone around the outside of the lip for a final seal?

Yes on the paint, for me anyway.

No on the silicone on the outside. Water then mold will get under it eventually. Then the pain of getting the silicone off the surface isn't worth it.

Edit:If you do silicone, tape it off, apply silicone, remove tape for a nice clean line.

 

[wirednuts]

silicone is usually good for 50+ years. plumbers putty isnt really made for around the edge of the sink because it dries out and cracks. putty works great in drains because it is always getting wet. it absorbs the water like clay, but it doesnt allow it to leak.

silicone lasts forever basically, doesnt dry out or deteriorate, and to remove it you just score it with a knife. its not hard at all. most people install their laminate tops by just siliconing the top to the base cabinets. no screws needed, holds tight and is easily removeable when needed.

but you can see why you wouldnt use silicone to seal a drain. you would glue the threads together that way, and with no way to cut the dried silicone out. everything has its intended uses....

 

[DrPizza]

I'd use a good silicone. And, for removal, if it's too tight to the counter for a putty knife, there are plenty of blades that will slide under it. Cut through the silicone - don't attempt to tear it off. A rag with denatured alcohol will clean the outside to look really nice without much silicone showing at all.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I just had new laminate counter tops installed yesterday. The installer said to use plumbers putty under the lip of the stainless steel sink when installing it onto the laminate. I've been doing a little reading online and many say to use silicone caulk because the plumbers putty may not keep a seal over time. The one concern I have with the silicone is of the laminate coming up if we need to remove the sink.

What is the best sealant to seal the sink onto the counter tops?

Thanks.

Old school, new school, either works. Silicone is harder to remove.

 

[Howard]

Putty

 

[Scarpozzi]

35 year caulk....Alex Plus. It'll have the best seal. It's rare that you need to remove your sink...if you do, it'll cost $4 to reseal it. Just make sure you use a thick enough bead so it seats properly and has no gaps. The metal clamps below the sink will help keep it from moving...just tighten them a little at a time around in a circle to make sure it doesn't get lop-sided...

http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=2

 

[CupCak3]

35 year caulk....Alex Plus. It'll have the best seal. It's rare that you need to remove your sink...if you do, it'll cost $4 to reseal it. Just make sure you use a thick enough bead so it seats properly and has no gaps. The metal clamps below the sink will help keep it from moving...just tighten them a little at a time around in a circle to make sure it doesn't get lop-sided...

http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=2

I've always heard that 100% silicones ad hear better than acrylic latex caulks. Is this not correct?



Thanks again for the advice everyone!

 

[Drako]

I've always heard that 100% silicones ad hear better than acrylic latex caulks. Is this not correct?



Thanks again for the advice everyone!

Yes, use silicone caulk in your situation. Latex caulks will dry out and crack much faster. The main advantage to latex caulk is you can paint it.

 

[highland145]

I've always heard that 100% silicones ad hear better than acrylic latex caulks. Is this not correct?



Thanks again for the advice everyone!

adheres.

Don't know but use some denatured alcohol to clean the surface.

 

[iGas]

Silicone caulking or putty both works.

Silicone caulking is harder to apply for the average consumer, but it doesn't stain stone or faux marble/stones.

IMHO, putty is the way to go for most applications.

 

[CupCak3]

Just to closeout the thread, when I took out my old sink, the plumbers putty from the previous install was hard. I also resealed the drain. It also had hardened plumbers putty. I used putty on the faucet and drain but silicone caulk to seal it to the counter top.

 

[sdifox]

silicon for me. GE Silicone II KB

 

[dabuddha]

Thanks for all the comments guys. This makes me more comfortable about using the putty. If I have to replace the plumber putty in 10 years, I'm alright with that. Swapping out a kitchen sink is one of the easier home improvement projects I've done.

I'll likely use some spare oil based paint and coat the bare particle board around the underside of the sink to protect it if there is a little leak. Seems like cheap insurance.



Did you use the putty under the lip and then silicone around the outside of the lip for a final seal?

Yep!