gap around between sink and counter top.

[blue sink]

hi every1, i need help pls. just bought the house and i found out the previous owner didn't put any sealant for my kitchen sink. there is real tiny gap(water can run through,i think)all around between sink and counter top. how can i fix it? cuz every time i wash my dishes i'm so worried not the spill water out of the sink.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by blue sink

hi every1, i need help pls. just bought the house and i found out the previous owner didn't put any sealant for my kitchen sink. there is real tiny gap(water can run through,i think)all around between sink and counter top. how can i fix it? cuz every time i wash my dishes i'm so worried not the spill water out of the sink.

It cannot be effectively sealed without removing the sink and reinstalling it. The sink rim should set on a fat bead of sealant to form a countertop/sealant/sink-rim sandwich. In this way, the sealant functions as a gasket.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[kurt]

Any one here ever use plumbers putty anymore for this task?

I'm still using putty; haven't got on the sealant bandwagon.

[Chad Fabry]

I use plumber's putty. I wad it up and throw it at my kids, other people's kids and ocassionally a wall to see if it'll stick. I'm afraid for other needs I'm using urethanes, tri and quad polymers. I am however, still a huge proponent of #30 felt as a wrb.

I admit to using latex based sealants on rentals and homes I'm flipping, but only the DAP 50 year rated. I figure if it's rated for 50 it'll last at least 10.

[kurt]

Plumbers putty does provide a nice splat when it hits a wall.

I just can't caulk a sink to a countertop w/sealant though; not sure why.

[Focal Point]

Typical practice here? bolt the sink to the counter or cabinet and run a bead of silicone around it. clean up with a old cut up tee shirt and some laquer thinner. honestly I cannot tell you how many hundres times I've stood and watched it done this way.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by kurt

Any one here ever use plumbers putty anymore for this task?

I'm still using putty; haven't got on the sealant bandwagon.

The last sink I set in plumbers putty was in 1984. Haven't looked back since.

I still use it for toilets.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[blue sink]

hi jim, what do you think if i put the sealant around the sink bu using clear sealant. will it looks nasty?

Originally posted by blue sink

hi every1, i need help pls. just bought the house and i found out the previous owner didn't put any sealant for my kitchen sink. there is real tiny gap(water can run through,i think)all around between sink and counter top. how can i fix it? cuz every time i wash my dishes i'm so worried not the spill water out of the sink.

It cannot be effectively sealed without removing the sink and reinstalling it. The sink rim should set on a fat bead of sealant to form a countertop/sealant/sink-rim sandwich. In this way, the sealant functions as a gasket.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by blue sink

hi jim, what do you think if i put the sealant around the sink bu using clear sealant. will it looks nasty?

Looks aren't the issue. You won't get a good seal.

- Jim Katen, Oregon