When you have leaks that need sealing, GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk is perfect for keeping your plumbing and cracks waterproof and sealed. At a reasonable price, this caulk is fast-acting and ideal for your bathroom needs with excellent adhesion and permanent flexibility.
GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk Review
GE GE5096 caulk is a silicone-based caulk perfect for sealing up your plumbing and bathrooms. It is applied to the area that needs sealing and fills the crack, taking up to 30 minutes to become waterproof. This creates a watertight seal that remains flexible in the gap that it has sealed, making it incredibly long-lasting and durable.
First released in 2007, it has since become MSDS verified as a safe adhesive and sealant to use, as of March 2011. This makes it well-suited in a home environment, being used to seal any gaps you need to be waterproof.
Who Is This Product For?
Anyone with the common household problem of leaking will want this product or a type like this one. It’s a reasonable price, and easy-to-use nature means that anyone can use it by following the instructions. All you need to do is break the seal, pop it into a caulking gun, and begin applying the seal as required.
What’s Included?
No other additional items come with this product, merely the silicone caulk itself and a set of instructions. However, you will want to invest in purchasing a caulking gun to use alongside it. This will make applying the caulk far more comfortable and more precise.
Overview of Features
GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk is lightweight and easy to handle, weighing only 12.8 ounces. Its 100% silicone base makes it robust, waterproof, and flexible. This makes it an excellent choice for the bathroom or kitchen, sealing any cracks or grooves in the sink, bath, or shower.
It’s also nearly odorless, with a pleasant almond color that doesn’t react with the surrounding material. This means it won’t warp, alter, or weaken any metal or stone that you are applying it to.
One of the finer points of a 100% silicone-based caulk is that it is incredibly durable and flexible. It does not volumetrically shrink and grow with temperature. It is permanently elastic as a sealant, so it does not break from wear and tear, either. It is also completely waterproof, making it perfect for bathroom, kitchen, window, and outdoor use. Its low-odor and muted color make it excellent for home use. Lastly, it is easy to use and apply and cures in only 30 minutes.
There are a few downsides to using a silicone-based caulk. The most prominent would be that you cannot paint it, so whichever color caulk you get, that is the color you will have on the joints and cracks you apply it to. This may be a problem for some, as some colors can be quite prominent and ugly, damaging the aesthetics.
Another downside is that, unlike regular caulk, you cannot use pure water to wash away excess and mess. You will have to use a solvent, with a good option being an ammonia-free window cleaner, as seen in the tutorial section. It also, unfortunately, does not work well with Styrofoam or glass and wood.
How To Use It
To know how to use and apply a silicone-based caulk like the GE silicone Caulk, you can check out this YouTube video for details:
Pros
- It is very flexible and durable
- The caulk doesn’t shrink or grow with temperature changes
- Great wear and tear properties
- Low-odor and muted color is ideal for home use
Cons
- Cannot use water to wash away the mess and excess
- Not for use with wood, glass, or Styrofoam
Alternatives
GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk is an excellent choice and option. It works best for wet sealing, making use of its quick drying time and waterproof nature. However, there are a few which work better in other regards, to make up for its disadvantages.
DAP INC 18152 10.1oz White Caulk
DAP INC 18152 10.1oz White Caulk works the exact same way. It comes with the added benefit of being able to be painted over, something GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk did not allow. However, it contains latex, which many are allergic to, so be wary of using this as an alternative.
Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk
Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk is another excellent alternative. This is a clear sealant, so you need not worry about the color messing with your aesthetics. It is also great at being an adhesive for styrofoam and glass, however many customers say that Gorilla Wood Glue works better for wood. There are no real downsides to using this alternative, and it comes with all the same advantages.
Conclusion
Overall, GE GE5096 Silicone Caulk is an incredible sealant and will work well for 90% of situations. There are other options, should its rather minor disadvantages affect you. Still, you’ll never really need another sealant or adhesive for your indoor, outdoor, bathroom, or kitchen sealing and waterproofing needs.