caulking around sink

We can debate Butyl tape, Silicone and plumbers putty for days. There are multiple MSDS sheets for Butyl tape with most showing almost no risk of harm to the user:

HMIS Ratings
Health Hazard: 0 -- MINIMAL
Flammability Hazard: 0 -- MINIMAL
Reactivity Hazard: 0 -- MINIMAL

A search of several Silicone sealants reveals a slightly greater risk to the consumer than Plumbers Putty.

The video from Home Depot does say to use silicone and it will probably work just find but a further search will also show numerous installations with Plumbers Putty.

Note that they do use Plumbers Putty for the drain and garbage disposal. I wonder why? Could it be that Plumbers Putty is better at sealing?

Still wondering what the problem is with Carbon Black. Not all Butyl tape has Carbon Black. Mostly the ones for industrial use and not the ones typically available for consumers. My contention is that there is nothing wrong with Carbon Black.

Hey people. Use what you want. Any of them will, IMO., work.

Charlie D. wrote:

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
If you want to do a very good job and ensure no water gets to the formica (I'm guessing that's what you have) and swells it, then pull the sink , clean the area, and lay down some Butyl tape. Remount the sink and remove the excess Butyl as it squeezes out.

Butyl is not a good choice for this application, especially in the kitchen. If you look up installation instructions for quality top mounted sinks silicone is the product of choice.

And explain to me why that is?

Maybe it's because anybody can get silicone at Walmart, while Butyl tape requires a little more effort to find and most people have never heard of it even. As far as "quality top mounted sinks" show me a link for the cheap ones that say to use Butyl instead of silicone. :S

I've never seen butyl tape recommended for any sink installation.

As for the tape itself go ahead and use it, but before doing so I recommend you read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on butyl tape including one of its ingredients called carbon black.

What is wrong with carbon black. We are surrounded with it in anything we have/use that is black including our tires. I worked with carbon black for a number of years in a rubber manufacturing plant.

Butyl tape is widely used in motor homes, 5'ers and trailers.

See Horse Doc's post for the correct material to use. I was told by the people who installed our granite counter tops not to use plumbers putty because it would stain the granite. I have not found that to be the case in the small amount I used.

Watch this video around the 2:45 mark, this is just the first hit on google, there are many more references
Video

John&Joey wrote:
Super-Camper have you ever even installed a sink? If so how many and were they into formica that can easily swell if you don't do it right?


As a side note Plumbers putty was used a lot in the old days (and still today by some) and that may very well be the ugly stuff that is being talked about in this thread and not chaulk.

You recommended using butyl tape, not plumbers putty for a sink installation. The butyl tape MSDS includes all sorts of goodies beyond carbon black. Handling recommendations are to avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin, hardly a good choice for a sink as Butyl tape will not cure so the risk continues over time.

As I said above, go ahead and use it all you want.

Super-Camper have you ever even installed a sink? If so how many and were they into formica that can easily swell if you don't do it right?


As a side note Plumbers putty was used a lot in the old days (and still today by some) and that may very well be the ugly stuff that is being talked about in this thread and not chaulk.

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
If you want to do a very good job and ensure no water gets to the formica (I'm guessing that's what you have) and swells it, then pull the sink , clean the area, and lay down some Butyl tape. Remount the sink and remove the excess Butyl as it squeezes out.

Butyl is not a good choice for this application, especially in the kitchen. If you look up installation instructions for quality top mounted sinks silicone is the product of choice.

And explain to me why that is?

Maybe it's because anybody can get silicone at Walmart, while Butyl tape requires a little more effort to find and most people have never heard of it even. As far as "quality top mounted sinks" show me a link for the cheap ones that say to use Butyl instead of silicone. :S

I've never seen butyl tape recommended for any sink installation.

As for the tape itself go ahead and use it, but before doing so I recommend you read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on butyl tape including one of its ingredients called carbon black.

What is wrong with carbon black. We are surrounded with it in anything we have/use that is black including our tires. I worked with carbon black for a number of years in a rubber manufacturing plant.

Butyl tape is widely used in motor homes, 5'ers and trailers.

See Horse Doc's post for the correct material to use. I was told by the people who installed our granite counter tops not to use plumbers putty because it would stain the granite. I have not found that to be the case in the small amount I used.

It may be the 'caulk' you are referring to is indeed a putty-like oily substance called (oddly enough!) Plumber's Putty. I come from a family of plumbers and that is what they used in setting sinks, drains in sinks, faucets and such. This was in the years before there were any decent, long lasting gaskets available with the faucet sets.
PP is a tan or light brown color and must be kneaded in order to work the oil into it (when allowed to set the oil will rise to the top of the can) It is/was a great product and lasted for years without becoming brittle.

John&Joey wrote:

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
If you want to do a very good job and ensure no water gets to the formica (I'm guessing that's what you have) and swells it, then pull the sink , clean the area, and lay down some Butyl tape. Remount the sink and remove the excess Butyl as it squeezes out.

Butyl is not a good choice for this application, especially in the kitchen. If you look up installation instructions for quality top mounted sinks silicone is the product of choice.

And explain to me why that is?

Maybe it's because anybody can get silicone at Walmart, while Butyl tape requires a little more effort to find and most people have never heard of it even. As far as "quality top mounted sinks" show me a link for the cheap ones that say to use Butyl instead of silicone. :S

I've never seen butyl tape recommended for any sink installation.

As for the tape itself go ahead and use it, but before doing so I recommend you read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on butyl tape including one of its ingredients called carbon black.

super_camper wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
If you want to do a very good job and ensure no water gets to the formica (I'm guessing that's what you have) and swells it, then pull the sink , clean the area, and lay down some Butyl tape. Remount the sink and remove the excess Butyl as it squeezes out.

Butyl is not a good choice for this application, especially in the kitchen. If you look up installation instructions for quality top mounted sinks silicone is the product of choice.

And explain to me why that is?

Maybe it's because anybody can get silicone at Walmart, while Butyl tape requires a little more effort to find and most people have never heard of it even. As far as "quality top mounted sinks" show me a link for the cheap ones that say to use Butyl instead of silicone. :S

Use bathtub and sink caulking it is mildew resistant other types will turn colors as mildew infects it. Local hardware stores carry it.

John&Joey wrote:
If you want to do a very good job and ensure no water gets to the formica (I'm guessing that's what you have) and swells it, then pull the sink , clean the area, and lay down some Butyl tape. Remount the sink and remove the excess Butyl as it squeezes out.

Butyl is not a good choice for this application, especially in the kitchen. If you look up installation instructions for quality top mounted sinks silicone is the product of choice.