If you’re looking to do some home improvement work, you might be thinking what the difference is between caulk and putty.
Caulk and putty are two common materials used to fill gaps in walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. While they both do the same job, they have some key differences that make them ideal for different applications.
In this article, we’ll look at how to differentiate between caulk and putty so you can choose the right material for your plumbing project.
What is plumbers putty?
Plumbers putty is a type of silicone sealant that’s used to create an airtight seal between two surfaces. It’s often used in plumbing applications but can even be used on other surfaces in your home or office.
It is a great way to ensure that the water in your pipes does not leak into other areas of your house, which can lead to mold and other problems. In fact, a plumber’s putty is one of the best ways to prevent leaks in your plumbing system.
Plumbers putty comes in different colors and textures, so it’s really important that you pick the right one for your needs.
Plumbers putty can be bought at hardware stores, but you can also make it yourself by mixing silicone lubricant with powdered graphite.
What is Caulk?
Caulk is a solid or liquid sealant used to fill gaps and seal joints. It can also be used for waterproofing and insulation.
Caulking is a type of construction work that uses flexible or elastic materials like silicone, rubber, or plastic to create a seal between two or more surfaces.
Caulking performs the function of sealing gaps and cracks in materials such as brickwork, concrete, stucco, tile, and wood. Caulking is also used to waterproof an area against water penetration. The material used for caulking can be either flexible (e.g., silicone) or rigid (e.g., urethane).
The Difference Between Caulk And Plumbers Putty
Wondering, “What’s the difference between plumber’s putty and caulk?” Well.
Caulking and plumbers’ putty are similar in many ways, but they are also different.
The two products can be used to seal gaps in walls and windows, prevent leaks from pipes, and create a barrier between different surfaces. They can even be used to make sure that your bathtub or shower sits securely on the floor.
But despite their similarities, there are some important differences between caulk and plumbers’ putty that you should know about before you choose one over the other for your project.
Let’s find out.
- Composition
The first difference between caulk and plumber’s putty is their composition. Caulk is a plastic-based substance that hardens as it dries, while plumber putty consists of a rubber-like substance that will not harden when it dries. This makes caulk ideal for sealing larger gaps in pipes or walls, while a plumber’s putty can be used to fill smaller holes and cracks.
- Application
Both caulk and plumber’s putty can be used to seal gaps in your home’s exterior walls or interior walls if they are not too wide (around 1/4 inch). However, caulk tends to be more flexible than plumbers putty because it has less filler in its composition; this makes it more likely that you’ll need to reapply it once or twice over time as your walls expand and contract due to differences in temperature or humidity levels inside your house. Plumber’s putty is less prone to this problem if you don’t have too much movement inside your home’s structure over time (which could cause cracks or other damage).
- Flexibility
Caulk is more flexible than a plumber’s putty, which means it can stretch out and fill in gaps in your wall if need be. Plumber’s putty is not as flexible and cannot stretch as easily or fill gaps as well.
- Water resistance
This means caulk is better at keeping water out of your walls than a plumber’s putty. Plumbers putty can absorb moisture, while caulk is water-resistant and will not absorb moisture into the material itself. Also, both products dry out over time with exposure to air and sunlight, but caulk dries faster than plumber’s putty does because it contains more water in its makeup than plumber’s putty does (which is why it can stretch more easily).
- Durability
Caulk is more durable than a plumber’s putty because it’s stronger and lasts longer. It also works better with older pipes because it doesn’t rust as easily as a plumber’s putty does.
- Cleanup
One of the biggest distinctions between caulk and plumber’s putty is how difficult it is to clean up. Caulk is water soluble, which means you can easily remove it with water or soap if you make a mistake. Plumbers putty, on the other hand, is solvent based. This makes it harder to remove if it gets on something you don’t want it to stick to.
- Versatility
Plumbers putty has a wider variety of uses than caulk, including sealing windows and doors, keeping plumbing pipes from leaking, and even as an adhesive between two pieces of wood that are too large to fit together by themselves.
Quick Comparison Chart: Are Plumbers Putty And Plumbers Caulk The Same
Here’s a concise comparison chart from a trusted plumber in Calgary highlighting the differences between caulk and plumber’s putty.
