The best caulk for a faucet will be silicone-based. Pure silicone is waterproof and durable, but you won’t be able to paint over it. An acrylic-latex caulk is less waterproof. However, if you think you’ll be able to keep your faucet dry in general, then it’s an option that you can also paint over.
The rest of the article will discuss the best types of caulk for different faucet projects. I will provide info on the best caulk for bathroom sink faucets, bathtub faucets, and kitchen faucets, as well as what to use when you want to paint over the caulk or if you want to avoid mold and mildew issues.
When possible, I’ve provided links to the products on Amazon for your convenience.
Best Caulk for Bathroom Sink Faucets: Red Devil Duraguard Kitchen & Bath Siliconized Acrylic Caulk
Bathroom sinks will need a silicone caulk. However, since the faucet is unlikely to be submerged in water, a pure silicone caulk probably won’t be necessary. A silicone-acrylic caulk will do for this kind of project. Silicone-acrylic blends aren’t waterproof, but they’re water-resistant enough for most bathroom sinks.
The best caulk for this sort of project is the Duraguard Kitchen & Bath Siliconized Acrylic Caulk by Red Devil. It’s easy to apply and dries smoothly, so you won’t ruin the look of your sink.
The Red Devil caulk is also more flexible than other types of silicone-acrylic caulks on the market, so if you don’t apply it perfectly, you can quickly fix your mistake. The flexibility also keeps the caulk from cracking, which allows it to last longer than other acrylic blends.
Best Caulk for Bathtub Faucets: Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealer
Bathtub faucets are exposed to more water than sink faucets. This is particularly true for shower and bathtub combinations. Due to this, it’s best to use a waterproof caulk, as this lasts longer and is less likely to need replacing. Silicone caulks are waterproof and flexible, making them optimal for faucets in humidity and exposed to water.
The best silicone caulk for bathtub faucets is Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealer. This sealant is flexible and comes in a tube which makes for easy application. While you won’t have enough to caulk an entire bathtub, one tube is plenty for the faucet area.
Since this caulk applies and dries clear, it goes with any bathtub look and makes the sealing job look seamless. This is perfect since no paint lasts long on this type of product.
The Loctite silicone also dries smooth, making it less noticeable than other products on the market.
For more, check out The Best Substitute for Plumbers Grease (And 5 Alternatives).
Best Caulk for Kitchen Faucets: Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk
For kitchen sinks, you might have to maneuver the caulk around more awkward angles, so a water-resistant caulk that’s flexible and easy to apply is ideal. You’ll also be more likely to want a caulk that can either be color-matched or painted over to match your kitchen counter or tiles. The caulk should also dry quickly and maintain its shape, so you don’t result in any leaks that prevent you from using your kitchen or cause damage to any other appliances.
For these reasons, the best caulk for kitchen sink faucets is the Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk. The Flex Shot sealer is available in multiple colors to match most kitchen decor, or there’s one that dries clear. It also won’t absorb water, preventing mildew from growing or cracks from forming in the sealant.
The tube has a built-in extended nozzle, so you don’t need any other equipment to apply the caulk around the faucet effectively. It’s flexible and easy to use and fix if your sealant goes outside of where you want to apply it. It also dries down quickly and smoothly and goes unnoticed once it’s applied.
Best Caulk To Be Painted Over: Dap Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone
While most sink projects won’t involve paint, you may wish to change the color of your sink or faucets. If painting is something you know is in your project plan while installing and sealing your faucets, you‘ll need to choose a caulk that can be painted. Most pure silicone caulks don’t tolerate paint well. Acrylic caulk, on the other hand, is often painted over.
However, acrylic caulk will absorb water and wash away. Acrylic blends give you the best of both worlds, but not all of them are created equal. The DAP Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone can be easily painted. Not only that, but your paint job will last longer than it would with most other faucet caulks on the market.
Furthermore, this caulk offers the same benefits as other caulks and sealants for faucets.
It’ll maintain its shape and won’t shrink, meaning you won’t have to worry about water dripping. It’s also easy to apply and dries down smoothly, so it’s unseen once applied, and it’ll blend your faucet into your sink, wall, or tub seamlessly.
Best Caulk for Mold and Mildew Problems: GE Supreme Silicone Kitchen and Bath Sealant
Faucets are subject to water and humid conditions, making them prime spots for mildew growth.
You don’t want mildew to grow in the gap where your faucet is installed, so it’s best to purchase a caulk that can prevent this from happening.
The GE Supreme Silicone Kitchen and Bath Sealant is noted as being the best caulk to prevent mildew. This caulk is pure silicone which creates a tight seal that won’t shrink and prevents water from seeping through the cracks in your sink or faucet. It’s also fast-drying, so you can use your faucet shortly after applying the sealant.
The caulk does dry white, which can be a deterrent, but since it doesn’t shrink, you don’t need much caulk to seal a faucet effectively. As a result, the white color likely won’t be noticeable if it happens to clash with the colors of your sink and the surrounding area.
In Conclusion
The best caulk for a faucet will depend on the project. Silicone caulks the best overall due to their waterproof and flexible nature. However, a silicone-acrylic or rubber caulk may be preferable in many cases. These brands of caulk are water-resistant but may work best depending on the faucet and the type of sealing and installation project you’re undertaking.
For more, check out The Best Substitute for Plumbers Tape | With 3 Alternatives.
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.