Thread: silicone around taps

You'll probably get a better answer in the Renovation forum here.

If you use the brown or dark grey coloured ones you won't notice the discoloration as much!

Thankyou for the info. The colored silicone sounds like a good idea. I didn't know about it. Off to Bunings ASAP.
Cheers JMJ

Selleys make an absolute clear silicon. But be warned it takes a hellish and long time to go off.

Thanks for the info. I wil be ultra careful. I find the absolute worst thing is removing the old silicone. I need to do this along the kitchen laminex join and I'm not looking forward to it. At least with the clear, when I apply the new stuff the boo boos won't be so noticeable.
Cheers
JMJ

I have always used plumbers putty which is also used to bed in a waste in a sink or handbasin. The name on the last lot that I bought about 3 months ago is "plumbers white plastic sealer". I really dislike silicone!!

Rhys

Silicone is a pain. I shudder ever time I see someone using it around bathroom and kitchen stuff. You walk into these display homes now and you see the silicone they have caked on around the bathtub and shower recess. All I can think of is what that is going to look like in a couple of years.
In my opinion stuff we used to call mastic is far better. We used to use it on coldroom installations. I think it's the same stuff Hobbyorse is referring to.

If you do use Silastic or similar, a quick tip is to "dry-fit" the fitting first and tape the surrounding area. Then remove & refit the fitting with the sealant and let dry.

Once the silicone has gone off, just run a sharp knife around the edge of the fitting and remove the tape.

This gives a very neat, clean fit.

I hate silicone too. I will try the mastic and apply it with the tape method. Sounds like a great way to apply it and silicone. I guess one could use the tape method when applying silicone along a laminex joint between the kitchen counter and the splashback.
We saved money by having a laminex splashback on our kitchen when we installed it 8 years ago, but have had to replace the silicone 3 times because of movement. I suppose movement would have happened with the standard tile application also.
Can't win
JMJ

JMJ,
It is easy to be wise after the event but in that situation I use the urethane marine sealants. You will find that the plastic putty is very easy to use, with or without tape, and it cleans up very well.
I can not think of anything that I would use silicone on...in my book it is highly overrated and often causes more problems later on with adhesion difficulties etc.

Rhys

Originally Posted by jmj

I hate silicone too. I will try the mastic and apply it with the tape method. Sounds like a great way to apply it and silicone. I guess one could use the tape method when applying silicone along a laminex joint between the kitchen counter and the splashback.
We saved money by having a laminex splashback on our kitchen when we installed it 8 years ago, but have had to replace the silicone 3 times because of movement. I suppose movement would have happened with the standard tile application also.
Can't win
JMJ

Mastic or Caulking is the way to go. It dries to a skin, but stays fairly flexible. And you can get it in different colours to match your grout, benchtop or tiles.