Funny you mention the silicone washers—I tried them in one of my rentals last year. Honestly, I didn’t notice a huge difference compared to rubber, but maybe I just haven’t given them enough time. Has anyone actually had a silicone washer outlast a rubber one by a lot? Or is it just hype?
I’m right there with you—tried silicone washers in my kitchen sink when I moved in, mostly because everyone online kept saying they’re “the future.” Honestly, after about a year, I can’t tell much difference in wear compared to the old rubber ones. Maybe they’ll hold up better long term, but for now, I just check for leaks every few months and swap them if anything looks off. Sometimes the safest bet is just regular maintenance rather than banking on one material over another.
Sometimes the safest bet is just regular maintenance rather than banking on one material over another.
That’s pretty much the approach I recommend too. People get caught up in the hype around new materials, but honestly, I’ve seen both silicone and rubber washers fail if they’re not checked regularly. The “future” thing is nice in theory, but in practice, it’s usually just about keeping an eye on things and not letting small issues turn into big ones.
I’ve swapped out a lot of washers over the years—some silicone, some rubber—and I can’t say I’ve noticed a dramatic difference in how long they last. Maybe silicone holds up a bit better if you’ve got really hot water running through all the time, but for most folks, it’s just about catching leaks early. Like you said, checking every few months is smart. Saves a lot of headaches down the line.
One thing I do notice: sometimes people overtighten the fittings when they swap washers, thinking it’ll stop leaks for good. That can actually make things worse, especially with silicone since it doesn’t compress quite like rubber. Just something to watch for if you’re doing your own maintenance.
Anyway, sounds like you’re on top of it. Regular checks and not getting too hung up on which washer is “best” is probably the safest way to go.