You might think that caulk and silicone sealant are the same thing. They are similar, but they also have their differences. For one thing, silicone sealant is a bit stronger than standard caulk. Unlike caulk, silicone sealant can be safely used on areas that are prone to expansion and contraction. Caulk is typically used to seal gaps in between walls, ceilings, and windows inside a house.
Silicone sealant can be used to fill cracks between bathtubs, tiles, sinks, metal surfaces, and glass surfaces. Silicone sealant is also excellent for outdoor uses. Silicone sealant is extremely durable due to its chemical composition. This makes it ideal for many indoor and outdoor projects. It can also be used in the kitchen and bathroom to mitigate concrete expansion. If that’s not enough, it can also be used on everything from automobiles to aquariums. We’ll examine which types of silicone sealant are best for various projects.
The main perk of using silicone sealant is that it’s waterproof while being mold and mildew resistant. This makes it perfect for rooms in your home that inevitably accumulate moisture like your kitchen and bathroom. You may have some tile in your kitchen, either on the floor or the walls.
Many people have a tile kitchen backsplash. Silicone sealant is the perfect product to touch up your kitchen tile. It’s mold and mildew resistant while designed to be used on non-porous surfaces like ceramic, glass, and metal. You could also use silicone caulk to eliminate any gaps between your countertop and kitchen sink. The best brand of silicone sealant to use for any kitchen project is called Kitchen and Bath Mildew Resistant RTV Silicone Sealant.
The bathroom is where silicone sealant really shines. Pure 100% silicone sealant may be a bit pricier than some other options, but it’s worth it. Silicone sealant is the first, last, and only choice to use in your bathroom for the projects that you’ll have to tackle. Like the kitchen, you can use it to seal up any tile you have in your bathroom. If you have to seal up a shower or bathtub, you’ll want to use silicone sealant for that as well. Silicone is water, mold, and mildew resistant, imperative for anything that’s going to be exposed to moisture.
Further, you’ll need something to seal around all your plumbing fixtures like sinks, faucets, and toilets. You can use silicone sealant as a general-purpose adhesive in your bathroom. Every bathroom has its share of pipes and wires where you can use silicone sealant to safely close any gaps. You can even use silicone sealant as glue for hard-to-adhere surfaces like under-mounted fixtures or sinks. For any bathroom projects, you can use Kitchen and Bath Mildew Resistant RTV Silicone Sealant.
Believe it or not, silicone sealant can work on automobiles as well. We’ve already covered the fact that silicone sealant is waterproof, making it the optimal choice for waterproofing a car’s windows. Apply it between the weather seal and the window, and your car shouldn’t be leaking anymore.
The main automotive use for silicone sealant is to connect engine components. Silicone sealant can withstand high temperatures extremely well. If you need to seal engines, transmissions, or differentials, a can of Xtreme Gasket RTV Gasket-Maker would do the trick. If you need to make a gasket or need to make some connections in a diesel engine, you should try the 100% RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant that’s available in three-ounce tubes.
Concrete seems sturdy and indestructible. Unfortunately, it’s also exposed to the elements. Wind, rain, snow, and sunlight can all wear down concrete structures and walkways. Concrete expansion may occur. Then there’s the matter of the earth moving below it. If you have a concrete driveway, you may have noticed some cracks in it.
The cracks might not be wide enough to merit an expensive and complete repaving. But you can’t just leave them there, as someone may trip over the crack and hurt themselves. Thankfully, silicone sealant is flexible and can withstand extreme temperatures. Even better, it’s water resistant, so it should prevent water from entering said cracks and making them wider. To seal up any cracks in your concrete driveway, try Concrete Elite Expansion Joint Sealant. It will work splendidly on any intentional gaps between your concrete slabs.
An aquarium requires a specific type of sealant. It needs to be waterproof and it needs to hold up under pressure, as there will be water in the tank. It also needs to be nontoxic so it doesn’t harm the animals within the aquarium. Silicone sealant is all of those things. The best type of silicone sealant to use to fix a leaky aquarium is the 100% RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant. Since it’s 100% RTV silicone, it doesn’t have any harmful chemicals that might be unsafe for your water-borne pets.
For your general sealing needs, we recommend Silicone Depot’s 100% RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant for its versatility. You can use it in your home, your car, or even in an aquarium. Consider picking up a tube for just $3.73 right now! Or, if you’d prefer, check out our selection of high-quality silicone products today!
Note: This DIY article is provided as a general guide only and is not intended to take the place of product-specific installation procedures; always follow applicable manufacturers’ instructions. Depending on your home’s age and condition, location within the home, and other potential factors, repairs and/or upgrades or other services may be necessary prior to the beginning and/or completion of your project that may involve the services of a home improvement professional. This article does not include advice pertaining to local building codes and/or any related inspections.
It’s no secret that bathrooms are constantly exposed to moisture and humidity. For that reason, these areas can also be at risk for mold or mildew growth and water damage. But did you know using a sealant is an easy way to help protect bathrooms from these issues? Here are 5 easy steps to start you sealing DIY project.
GE SILICONE 1™ TUB & TILE SEALANT
100% silicone, permanently waterproof bathroom sealant formulated with 7-year mold-free product protection.
GE SILICONE 2™+ KITCHEN & BATH SEALANT
30-minute water-ready2, 10-year mold-free product protection1 100% silicone bathroom sealant for use around showers, sinks, tubs, tile and countertops.
GE SUPREME SILICONE KITCHEN & BATH SEALANT
30-minute water-ready2, lifetime mold-free product protection1 sealant for kitchens, baths and plumbing applications.
GE PAINTABLE SILICONE SUPREME KITCHEN & BATH SEALANT
GE Supreme Paintable Silicone Kitchen & Bath sealant combines the outstanding durability and adhesion performance of 100% silicone with the paintability of acrylic. Supreme Paintable Silicone sealant can be painted with a brush or roller after just 30 minutes3 or spray-painted immediately. 30-minute water-ready2, 10-year mold-free product protection1.
Find GE-branded caulks and sealants near you.
One 10.1 oz. cartridge is enough to caulk two bathtubs and one sink.
1 Fully cured sealant is resistant to stain-causing mold and mildew. Regular cleaning of sealant is required however, as soap and other residue may cause secondary mold and mildew growth
2Exposure to water possible in as little as 30 minutes with bead size max 3/16″”, temperature min 65°F and humidity min 50%. Otherwise, sealant should not be exposed to water for 8 hours. Do not touch or clean sealant for 24 hours 5While this is neutral curing methoxy silicone will not blemish most metal finishes, testing of product on a small indiscreet area before use is recommended.
3Sealant can be painted in as little as 30 minutes with bead size 3/16″”, temperature min 65°F & humidity min 50%. Otherwise, seals should not be painted for 2 hours. Spray paint can be applied immediately. Apply paint with reduced applicator pressure to avoid disturbing the caulk. Not recommended with oil-based paints. If oil-based paints are used, first test by applying an acrylic primer and paint in a small, inconspicuous area.
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